Alaska Maritime Documentation Inc -
For all your documentation needs both pleasure and commercial. Serving all of Alaska since 1998
907-500-2134
What is Documentation?
Very simply put...documentation of a vessel is a form of national registration. Issued by the Coast Guard, this is a document that proves ownership of a specific vessel. Similar to a state title it shows the vessel name, hailing port and the owners home and address, along with any endorsements or restrictions. The certificate is good for one year and renewed at no charge as long as it is renewed within the 30 day time frame. This Document must remain onboard the vessel at all times.
Once initial documentation is complete, a six or seven digit Official Number is issued to the vessel which must be permanently affixed to the structure of the hull and a Certificate of Documentation is issued to the owner(s). Documentation also eliminates the need for state registration numbers on the bow.
Why Document My Vessel?
If you finance the purchase of your boat, the financial institution may require that the boat be federally documented. Documentation is generally a requirement of such financing because it is only on a U.S. documented vessel that a lender can adequately perfect its security interest in a vessel. A mortgage is recorded against the vessel, once it is documented. Federal documentation makes a lender more secure in financing your boat.
A documented vessel is also more attractive to a buyer once you are ready to sell it as it ensures the buyer of a clean title and is much easier to finance.
We have worked with all banks and lending institutions for the past 11 years.
The Process
We prepare all applicable documentation for the purchaser including the Coast Guard Bill of Sale, Satisfaction of Mortgage,1st Preferred Ships Mortgage, and Bill of Sale. We pull an abstract on the vessel to make sure the title is free and clear of liens and if not then we prepare the proper documents for the Satisfaction.
A First Preferred Ships Mortgage
A preferred mortgage is a mortgage that is a maritime lien on a specific vessel. This mortgage gets priority in the event of default on the promissory note. Also, the Coast Guard is unable to change the vessel ownership, name or hailing port without the consent of the mortgagee. This is why many banks and lenders require eligible vessels to be documented and to have preferred mortgages recorded to protect their interest.
Protecting Your Interest With An Abstract of Title
This instrument shows all bills of sale, mortgages, notices of claim of lien and ownership information for a specific vessel. Before you make your purchase, we can check to see if there are any liens against the vessel and be assured that you are getting a vessel with a clean title. If there are liens that need to be satisfied, we can prepare the documents needed by the Coast Guard to release the lien.
Satisfaction of Mortgage
We provide all the necessary services to prepare and file a satisfaction of mortgage with the U.S. Coast Guard which will clear the lien against the vessel.
Who Qualifies
Documentation is available only to those owners who are citizens of the United States. The vessel in question must be at least 5 net tons as determined by Coast Guard formula based on length, breadth and depth. This tonnage requirement does not refer to displacement but rather to volume capacity. Vessels of 25 feet or more in length generally qualify for documentation. We can help you determine if your vessel qualifies.
Commercial Vessels: Most are required to be documented by the USCG to be engaged in trade. Various endorsements relating to the primary trade are made to the Certificate of Documentation such as coastwise, fishery or registry. Commercial vessels also are available for filing of a Preferred Ship’s Mortgage. We offer experience with all classes of documentation.