Certificate of Documentation Renewal

[clas102]

clas102 is the R-29 "RELIEF" on Vashon Island Washington.... A question: I am coming up on one year and the expiration of my Certificate of Documentation. I received in the mail an offer from Specialized Yacht Services Inc. of Babylon, NY. I've never heard of them.... They are offering to "handle the renewal" if I only sign an authorization and send in a $75 "service fee." I am assuming that I will receive an official notice of expiration from the feds and can act on that. But this is my first time at this particular rodeo. Any insights, personal experience, or advice would be welcome. Happy spring cruising. george (RELIEF)

 

[Paul Elliott]

You should get a renewal form in the mail from the USCG. It's an extremely simple process -- essentially, if nothing has changed you just sign it and return the form. There's no charge at the moment, but this may be changing.

These renewal services can be useful if you travel or are otherwise not able to get your mail on time. Otherwise, there's no reason not to do it yourself.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Shortly, about a month before your Doc expires, you'll receive an official notice from the US Coast Guard. The renewal is straight forward, no cost (at this time, could change to a fee next year) and if there are no changes simply sign and return. Make sure you keep a copy for your records. As a side note we are supposed to carry the original documentation form on our boats, so make a copy of this for your at home records. If for some reason you do not receive the form you can always go online to the Documentation area of the US Coast Guard and do a search.

 

[Brian B]

We are still waiting for our initial certificate to be issued. The USCG received it mid February, right now they are working on documents they received 1/25. I expect it to take another month which will be a 4 month wait.
RI requires documented boats to be state registered. RI will not register my boat without the CG document, technically I am operating an unregistered boat. RI told me just to carry my paperwork in case I get boarded. I hope the courts have the same understanding.
I even faxed a form they have for expedited service to no avail, not even a response.
Pretty poor system.

 

[Paul Elliott]

The renewal process has been easy and smooth, but it seems that new applications and modifications are taking a long time. I submitted a documentation change in December, and I'm still waiting for the new doc. They claim they're working on it. Any day now...

 

[abcandjrc]

The documentation process has been slow or years. But it is also straight forward. If one has the manufacturer's measurement certificate, or a previous owner's documentation number and bill of sale, it is a rare procedure that requires "outside help". Generally only when title complications such as liens or estate paperwork is involved.

Most of these documentation services are like the "solutions" offered for consolidating debt. They leave you with no particular net effect except a lighter wallet. They can not obtain a certificate any faster than you can.

Renewal at a $75 service fee probably nets the operator $74. And saves you 6 minutes. You need to buy the 46 cent stamp to send him the paperwork, or to send it direclty to the CG.

 

[baz]

clas102 is the R-29 "RELIEF" on Vashon Island Washington.... A question: I am coming up on one year and the expiration of my Certificate of Documentation. I received in the mail an offer from Specialized Yacht Services Inc. of Babylon, NY. I've never heard of them.... They are offering to "handle the renewal" if I only sign an authorization and send in a $75 "service fee." I am assuming that I will receive an official notice of expiration from the feds and can act on that. But this is my first time at this particular rodeo. Any insights, personal experience, or advice would be welcome. Happy spring cruising. george (RELIEF)

Wait for the Renewal notice from USCG. I had mine the other week and mine expires June 30th. One signs it, then scan it in and make a PDF file of it and then Email it in using the provided Email address on the renewal form. It couldn't be simpler. I had my new official renewal form sent to me within 2 weeks.

My advice is DO NOT PAY THE $75 for this service.

 

[clas102]

Thanks to all who have responded. You have confirmed my sense of how the process of Certificate renewal works and my disinclination to send my good friends at Specialized Yacht Services Inc. a check in exchange for their valued assistance. Enjoy (hopefully on the water) what's left of Memorial Day weekend. george, the RELIEF

 

[Wolf Pack]

Just to illustrate how easy Certificate of Doc renewals are these days.

Wolf Pack's renewal notice from the Coast Guard arrived in the US mail Monday, July 8th (it was due to expire August 31st).

Since Wolf Pack had no changes during the past year, I simply signed and dated the form, scanned it to a .PDF file and emailed it back to VDC-PF-NVDCRENEWALS@USCG.GOV (per one of the options on the renewal form).

Today, July 15th, we received in the US mail Wolf Pack's new Certificate of Doc.

Couldn't be easier. And only one week turnaround from the USCG. Pretty awesome.

Just thought you all might be interested.

Gene R
Wolf Pack

PS. This process of renewal is absolutely FREE of any monetary charges

 

[baz]

Rumor has it that this annual renewal will incur a small fee in the future sometime... :roll: ...another Gvt. revenue stream presumably... 😱

 

[Wolf Pack]

Well for now, let's all just enjoy free. 🙂

 

[HRowland]

They are very fast with renewals now. I emailed my signed renewal application on July 15 in the evening. The new certificate was printed on July 16 and arrived via postal mail today!

Howard