Renewal of USCG Certification of Documentation - Boat Registration

This week I finally called the National Vessel Documentation Center about our boat's US Coast Guard Certification of Documentation. It expired on Halloween.  I never received a notice because the address that they sent the renewal form to last time would have forwarded it to St Maarten. But, this wasn't their fault. Everytime I would think about dealing with it I would be distracted by other things...

Monday I phoned the Documentation Center and I'm happy to say that they are still very nice folks to deal with. The first person asked for the expiration date and she forwarded my call to someone else.  That person said that I was too late to renew and only have the $5.00 late fee as I fall outside of the 45-day grace period. She transferred me back to the original woman. She told me that it was worth a try, but now I have to pay an $84.00 reinstatement fee and fill out form 1258.

So I filled out Form 1258 and the credit card authorization form and sent them via email. I requested that they reply to let us know that they received everything OK and they did!

Don't procrastinate.  If you renew on time (you can even renew early) it is FREE. If you renew within 45 days of expiration it is only $5 which isn't too bad and way better than $84...

Ms Cheapseats will definitely be on time next year :)

See previous post about renewing your Certificate of Documentation.

So It Goes...

Thanks to the Boat Bits reader who bought a Perfect Butt from Amazon... We appreciate it & every order helps out :)

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USCG Renewal of Certificate of Documentation

I've been waiting to receive our renewal form for our USCG Vessel Documentation in the mail.



I forgot that we can get the form online, fill in the name of the boat, documentation number, sign & date it, and fax or email it back to them. Last year they even faxed us a copy of our documentation certificate so we would have that while we were waiting for our original to arrive by mail. Really nice people!

Go to the web site of the USCG National Vessel Documentation Center
(http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvdc/)

In the FAQ section, you will find...

MAY I RENEW MY DOCUMENT EARLY?
YES. The Renewal form is available at this website. It may be downloaded from the Forms Menu. It may be mailed or faxed to (304)-271-2405. BE SURE TO CITE THE VESSEL'S OFFICIAL NUMBER.

Go here (http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvdc/nvdcforms.asp) and then scroll down a bit and you'll see:

Renewal of Certificate Of Documentation.. (CG-1280)


• Word Format
• 
Adobe Acrobat Format

Thanks guys for making something easier!

When I was searching for the USCG NVDC's web site (I should have just looked at a previous post in our own blog, duh!) I came across this interesting post concerning renewals:
http://mysticgringo.blogspot.com/2008/04/uscg-documentation-renewal.html

Enjoy!
.

US Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center web address

I have a difficult time finding the website for the U.S. Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center so here it is, just in case it will help anyone else:

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/vdoc/nvdc.htm

Their phone number is 1-304-271-2400 and press 6 to speak with a documentation officer.

Hope this helps others!

FCC VHF License Required for Cruising Outside of USA

We read that all American boats cruising outside of the USA need to have a VHF license that is issued from the FCC. Besides a license for the boat, there has to be a licensed operator as well. So, we've taken care of this bit of paperwork electronically and would like to pass on what we have learned.

First, sign up for an FCC user account so you can apply for licenses (and renew) online. Bookmark this address as you will want to use it in the future to login to your account: https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/licManager/login.jsp

To get an FRN (FCC Registration Number), click on the option "Need An FRN?"

After completing your registration they will send you a confirmation email which will have your FRN and password. Keep this where you can find it later as I find it useful to cut and paste the 10-digit FRN and the computer-generated password.

OK, so now login to the FCC License Manager System.

On the left side of the screen, click on the top option: Apply For A New License

On this next screen, there is a drop-down menu with over 80 options. Select "SA - Ship" and proceed from there.

On one of the pages it will ask you for a Search & Rescue Emergency Contact Name. This is optional, you can leave it blank and hit "Next" although it will give you a message box. Read the instructions in the box on how to proceed. If I remember right, it will then ask you about liferafts or safety equipment. You don't have to answer these questions either...

So, complete the form and it will give you a summary. You can then go ahead and pay by credit card. It was so easy once I knew that "SA" was the correct option to apply for the VHF license. This license costs $155 (May 2006) and is valid for 10 years.

Next, you need to have a license to legally operate the VHF radio. So, login to your FCC account or get back to the entry page and click on "Apply For A New License".

This time, from the drop-down menu, select the option "RR - Restricted Operator". This license is good for life and costs $55 (May 2006) so we both got one.

I called their support line because I wasn't quite sure if I was filling in the correct form for the VHF license, plus the figures and form numbers were different to what I'd read in the Seven Seas Cruising Association newsletter. The support person was very nice, helpful, and had answers! Hurray!!!

Here is a FAQ on the FCC website for Ship Radio Stations:
http://wireless.fcc.gov/marine/fctsht14.html

Under the section "Do I Need a Ship Radio Station License?" You will see:
" Ships are considered as operating domestically when they do not travel to foreign ports or do not transmit radio communications to foreign stations. Sailing in international waters is permitted, so long as the previous conditions are met. If you travel to a foreign port (e.g., Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands) a license is required. Additionally, if you travel to a foreign port, you are required to have an operator permit as described in Section III."

Hope this helps out our fellow cruisers.
Sheila
So It Goes...