Just got my Vessel Documentation renewal from USCG. A little surprised to see that they are now charging $26 to renew. I certainly hope the CG gets to keep these fees.
USCG Vessel Doc Fees
- Thread starter rfrye1
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it keeps the dogs at bay and gives you another proof of ownership ..if you get the paper then you can rest assured it belongs to you..... they do a lot of work to make sure its yours
why bother they have a better source of tracking than i will ever have and for the price they charge i would not bother.... some things are just better left to the pros and the coasties are pros ya know.... probably the last of the government that still works for us ( i am stating this in hopes it doesn't start a political explosion so plz don't get that started )
It supposedly facilitates entry and exit from foreign ports of call, but again, isn't this something you should be able to perform on your own?
OK, so what are the payment options? Still a paper renewal? There have been a lot of things they have done to streamline this and remove expense, but a paperless renewal (like the Customs Decal) would be a lot cheaper. Hope they still have motivation to reduce expense and complexity. Probably not a big priority.
In CA you do not have to pay the State's annual vessel renewal fee if the boat is USCG documented. Now, however, that USCG is charging for a once-free service, it might be a wash. Also, it is not a "do-it-yourself" option on renewals; only when the original certificate is requested. Just sign the form they send saying there have been no relevant changes & return it; the USCG sends back a new documentation certificate good for another year.
In the past they sent you a notice. You signed it and sent it back and there was no charge unless you were past due. Then there was a 5 dollar charge. I don't need state numbers and it made registering for Global Entry / Nexus much easier.
Global entry facilitates entry into the US. Be drama, drug and stupidity-free*, and you'll be fine. [exasperation!]
*I realize that stupidity is subjective. That's what makes the subject so interesting.
I suppose when they run my plates (CG) it goes a little quicker. I only got yelled at once for speeding, then after I went "Dead in the Water" the officer (MP) came along side and told me to go faster cause I was in the way. Some people don't know who they're dealing with.
Congress cut the budget so now we're paying. Money for pump-outs slowed down because Congress sequestered funds. I wrote my Congressman last week about the E-15 gasoline being a bad idea and got the "Slick Willy" response.
All U Get
Congress cut the budget so now we're paying. Money for pump-outs slowed down because Congress sequestered funds. I wrote my Congressman last week about the E-15 gasoline being a bad idea and got the "Slick Willy" response.
All U Get
I got a note with the renewal paper. The note was rather apologetic about the new fee and explained that the new fee was to cover the cost of the paperwork and maintaining the database. It also said that an internet pay option is in the works but not finished yet. I am optimistic. I hope that the software contractor is not the same folks who did such a fine job with the "Affordable Health Care" stuff.
Hey,
My boat was documented when I bought it. I filled out the paperwork and paid to have the documentation transferred to me. Now that the CG wants to charge me $26 a year. I will just let it lapse.
The idea of paying $26 a year seems to be poorly thought out and executed. For years and years the process was silly but free: The CG mails you a piece of paper. You sign it and mail it back, then they send you another piece of paper. Now I need to send them a piece of paper and a check too!
Why not make the documentation good for 2, 3, 4 or X years? Why not allow on line payment? Why not allow on line filing and print on demand of the COD? There are so many better ways of getting this done.
I bet that next year something different will be done. Maybe then I will renew or maybe not. I don't leave the US (that would take too long in my boat) and I don't need it for insurance or any other reason).
Barry
My boat was documented when I bought it. I filled out the paperwork and paid to have the documentation transferred to me. Now that the CG wants to charge me $26 a year. I will just let it lapse.
The idea of paying $26 a year seems to be poorly thought out and executed. For years and years the process was silly but free: The CG mails you a piece of paper. You sign it and mail it back, then they send you another piece of paper. Now I need to send them a piece of paper and a check too!
Why not make the documentation good for 2, 3, 4 or X years? Why not allow on line payment? Why not allow on line filing and print on demand of the COD? There are so many better ways of getting this done.
I bet that next year something different will be done. Maybe then I will renew or maybe not. I don't leave the US (that would take too long in my boat) and I don't need it for insurance or any other reason).
Barry
The previous post #18 tells us they are trying to make it doable it online. If you let it lapse, maybe you can or cannot start it "renewed"???
Yearly updates lets them track your boat better. Yeah, if you don't want it, don't pay the man. In Maryland, we renew the state # for two years. So that may now be cheaper than 56$ every two years.
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