Vessel Documentation Notice

[Terry Cox]

Each year since we owned the boat the Coast Guard sends us a notice that it is time to renew our vessel documentation good for one year. It used to be free, then a few years ago applied a $26 renewal charge.

This year a notice arrived from Maritime Documentation Center informing us that our documentation was about to expire and for a fee would help us renew. Anyone have any experience with this organization? I intend to contact the Coast Guard for their comment. I'm assuming the CG will send us a renewal notice like they have done over the years past without any kind of agency fee.

Their letter was a bit heavy handed, inferring that fines or additional fees per day would commence if we chose not to renew. Vessel documentation has always been an option to owning a boat, unless these matters have changed.

 

[dlochner]

SCAM SCAM SCAM!!!!!!!

Here's the link to the USCG Documentation Center. National Vessel Documentation Center It is still only $26, they take credit cards and it takes about a week to process the renewal.

This year's scam has a more serious look than last year's scam. But it is still a scam. Renewing the documentation takes less than 5 minutes with a slow internet connection. The USCG will send a notice about a month before renewal. There are fees for late renewal than can get steep if you are really late. If you renew too early you lose a month on your documentation year, i.e., if it expires on March 31 and you renew before Feb 28, the new renewal date will be Feb 28 (this timeline may be a bit off, but it is explained not he USCG website).

 

[nat55]

Here is a Boat US article addressing this issue...

https://www.boatus.com/pressroom/release.asp?id=1280

 

[Bob J.]

I filled my renewal out & paid on line Sunday, renewal was in the maibox yesterday.
If you do it online with no changes you don't even need to fill out form 1280.
Name, address & doc number. Pretty easy.

 

[Gunni]

There is a growth industry in scamming people and companies who have Federal government filings. Basically what they are doing is scouring the database of documented vessels and then sending a somewhat official notice offering renewal at a fee. Typically the scam offer arrives a few weeks before the USCG notice, so they often catch the reactive early birds. Sorry to say it is every citizen's responsibility to remain vigilant, informed and wary. The price of freedom and keeping your money in your wallet.

If it helps the shenanigans like this around Trademark registration is way worse. I have many friends in Eastern Europe who want to help me with my international registrations. They warn me of dire consequences and lost IP. All I need to do is pay a few thousand dollars to protect my TM in the bloc.

And I am currently dealing with some inventive yahoos in Africa (I think) who send me very authentic looking emails signed by colleagues and partners asking that I send payment for services. Some of them ask that I download an invoice file. Bottom line, the wolf no longer lives down the road, he prowls your front yard. Step up your game.

 

[victorhoisington]

just completed my renewal, and yes, I got the "notice" that for a fee, I could get my renewal or even get it handled for multiple years. But the official USCG site is still the only real way to complete the process. All this "service" is doing is filling in your details, making your payment and then pocketing the rest. I'm not sure I'd call it a complete scam but, there really isn't any reason to use the service if you can do it yourself. My lawyer has offered to do this for me each year as well but, his fees are somewhat higher and I know he's a scam artist!!

 

[Terry Cox]

Thanks all for validating my suspicions.

 

[Kermit]

If it’s truly as easy as everyone says I’ll be happy to do it for you. And at half the extra fee the other scammer charges.

 

[Cowpokee]

Thanks all for validating my suspicions.

I dealt with the same kind of shenanigans when my ham license was up for renewal. I just thanked them for the reminder then went to the website and renewed it myself.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Yup, Terry, it's a scam. Been covered here and in just about every other boating forum I visit.

Here's another example from our C34 forum:
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,9383.0.html