Another Fire

[R Baker]

There was a fire locally that consumed trailered boats and cars. It did not involve me in any way. Such fires bring to mind the, at times, complicated and potentially difficult process of getting settlement from an insurance company. Fibreglass can be consumed to the extent such that identification becomes difficult. To protect oneself, I think it important to assembled ahead of time documentation of your boat in storage. A signed storage contract identifying location and dates of storage, receipts for storage, and dated photographs of the boat in storage; all I believe would be most helpful in proving a loss. All perhaps obvious, but I have simple cash arrangements for such storage - did it once. Ciao.

 

[Fly-fish]

Having just lost my boat and trying to recover everything I note I made some mistakes. I had most of my boat documentation on the boat, thinking that of the Coast Guard ever wanted to see it, I'd have it at the ready. I thought I was smart keeping it in a beautifully ordered file containing everything I'd need. Hindsight being 20/20, I would not do that again. Nor would I keep all the awesome charts on the boat either,not the extra handheld GPS, marine binoculars. Maybe if I get a covered dock and have the boat in the water, I can either take those things home of put them in a storage box.

Now I will remind myself:

1. Keep originals of everything at home. If asked, present a copy to CG if boarded
2. My boat was documented, in my state, meaning it was not titled by the bureau of vehicles. Deleting documentation on a boat costs $155 dollars and takes time. As well,it is a difficult website to navigate. Reconsider documenting.
3. If documented, keep copies of paperwork validating your ownership handy at home.
4. My personal effects were only covered by insurance for $750. I had much, much more than that. make sure you cover for personal items or take them off the boat.

 

[jroyle]

Fly-Fish, I am sorry for your loss. I sympathize with your dealings with the Coast Guard. I used to get a courtesy letter every year to renew my CG documentation. This year they have started charging for this service. I did not realize the new rules in time and ended up paying a late fee on top of the new fee. As of this date I still have not received my new documentation and attempts to contact the USCG Vessel Documentation have been at the least irritating. You CANNOT get ahold of a human being to answer the most benign of questions. Every option on their phone service leads to "Leave a message" or " Visit our website". The leave a message results in a full message box that cannot accept new messages. This government entity is useless and should be ashamed of the lack of customer service. I hope others can help me navigate this frustrating side of "pleasure" boating.

 

[Fly-fish]

JRoyle-
That USGC Documentation website is really a thing to behold isn't' it? I am being sarcastic of course. What a terrible website to navigate. I am going through the the process of deleting my documentation, really as a courtesy to our USCG friends, as my former boat is a pile of ashes due to the consuming fire. It was not easy to figure out what exactly I needed to do or even what fees I was required to pay. I ended up putting a check for $15 in the envelope with their useless form and a letter describing the purpose of the deletion request. I hope that will suffice but the website reminded me of government processes where they can always send a form back with a "gotcha" letter. I am not user that we were the intended audience.

The only thing I can think of is perhaps this documentation is more reserved form commercial vessels and fleet operators are more experienced at navigating the forms and website than us individual boat owners are. I mean, how often do we even go to the website?

Nonetheless, not only that website but the website where you register your radio both need significant updating to aid the recreational boat owner.