Certificate of Documentation

ess105 · 12-08-2008, 15:53

Simple question for full time cruisers. Where do you keep your Certificate of Documentation? On or off the boat? (No need to give precise location like "under the dog")

opsailor · 12-08-2008, 16:00

My understanding is that federal statutes REQUIRE that the original Cert be on the boat at all times. See reverse side of your certificate for confirmation.

ess105 · 12-08-2008, 16:01

That's what I understood for US waters. What about further afield?

opsailor · 12-08-2008, 16:04

As a documented US vessell, all the time wherever in the world you are.....

Cheechako · 12-08-2008, 16:16

Outside USA it should be on the boat. If your boat is Documented, the USCG can board ANYWHERE in the world. If you are concerned about losing the original, go to a color copier and get the same color and heavy weight paper and make copies. non US officials will never know the difference. I did it and it worked throughout the Carribean anyway. Probably a good idea to do ....period.

Chantyabc · 12-08-2008, 16:43

Since the certificate of documentation serves as or replaces a title and a title to me is like a birth certificate (in which i dont keep in my wallet) i would say keep it in a safe place off the boat. As long as you have your registrationon for the boat you should be fine..

Thanks
Chanty

Chuck Baier · 12-08-2008, 17:25

You are required to keep the document on the boat to offer as proof of ownership to any Authority that requires it. So it won't do you much good at home or in a safe deposit box.

ess105 · 12-08-2008, 19:04

Very helpful answers - thanks

speciald@ocens. · 12-08-2008, 19:30

The oriinal must be on the boat. I've used a copy when clearing in in the Caribbean .

Cheechako · 13-08-2008, 09:43

I believe the new doc's are no longer embossed, Not sure how anyone (especially an 19 yr old seasick guardsman) would know the difference!

Chuck Baier · 13-08-2008, 10:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheechako

I believe the new doc's are no longer embossed, Not sure how anyone (especially an 19 yr old seasick guardsman) would know the difference!

So you are willing to take personal responsibility and pay any fines for anyone that gets a non seasick, older, more experienced "guardsman"?

Cheechako · 13-08-2008, 10:33

Sorry Chuck, I didnt know it was illegal to copy your document. Do you?

Chuck Baier · 13-08-2008, 11:26

Did not say it was illegal. But suggestion that some one try and pass off a copy as an original document is not appropriate in my opinion. But that is just my opinion.

JiffyLube · 13-08-2008, 11:36

I kept my original on land with a copy on the boat, but I changed that to the original on the boat and the copy on land. There was another discussion on this subject once before, and the argument that changed my mind was, the documentation is akin to the registration we keep in our cars (not copies)...at least in California.

Cheechako · 13-08-2008, 11:38

I'm not really suggesting it either. I'm assuming the average cruiser would use his original anytime he's dealing with the USCG....why not? It is nice having the backup though. In Martinique, they tried to keep my document when I checked in, and of course the language was an issue. It was just one of those things they/he decided to do that day I guess! In the end I got it back by giving them one of my copies! Didnt happen on my way back through the next time... At the time the French were showing their "bravado" by randomly refusing entry for some reason. Approaching freshly anchored yachts at high speed and telling them to leave the harbor. Go figure. I checked the Fed Regs and could not find any mention regarding not copying the document. However it says "the original must be presented when requested", which kind of implies that copies can occur....

12-08-2008, 15:53	#1
ess105 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Homeless - moving aboard Oct 08 Boat: Lagoon 420 (Dignity) Posts: 493 Images: 4	Certificate of Documentation Simple question for full time cruisers. Where do you keep your Certificate of Documentation? On or off the boat? (No need to give precise location like "under the dog") __________________ Dignity on the web

12-08-2008, 16:00	#2
opsailor Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: In the Keys... Boat: Hunter 41 - "Son of a Sailor" Posts: 32 Images: 8	My understanding is that federal statutes REQUIRE that the original Cert be on the boat at all times. See reverse side of your certificate for confirmation. __________________ OPSailor St Augustine

12-08-2008, 16:01	#3
ess105 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Homeless - moving aboard Oct 08 Boat: Lagoon 420 (Dignity) Posts: 493 Images: 4	That's what I understood for US waters. What about further afield? __________________ Dignity on the web

12-08-2008, 16:04	#4
opsailor Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: In the Keys... Boat: Hunter 41 - "Son of a Sailor" Posts: 32 Images: 8	As a documented US vessell, all the time wherever in the world you are..... __________________ OPSailor St Augustine

12-08-2008, 16:43	#6
Chantyabc Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Miramar Florida Posts: 19	Since the certificate of documentation serves as or replaces a title and a title to me is like a birth certificate (in which i dont keep in my wallet) i would say keep it in a safe place off the boat. As long as you have your registrationon for the boat you should be fine.. Thanks Chanty Last edited by FrankZ; 02-09-2008 at 11:56. Reason: REmoved commercial web site

12-08-2008, 16:16	#5
Cheechako Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 245	Outside USA it should be on the boat. If your boat is Documented, the USCG can board ANYWHERE in the world. If you are concerned about losing the original, go to a color copier and get the same color and heavy weight paper and make copies. non US officials will never know the difference. I did it and it worked throughout the Carribean anyway. Probably a good idea to do ....period.

12-08-2008, 17:25	#7
Chuck Baier Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Where ever the boat is. Boat: Marine Trader 34 "Beach House" Posts: 1,644 Images: 54	You are required to keep the document on the boat to offer as proof of ownership to any Authority that requires it. So it won't do you much good at home or in a safe deposit box. __________________ To boldly go!! Read about our past and current cruises, the boat, some projects and a whole lot more at Voyages of Sea Trek And Now Visit The New Boats Site At The Beach House

12-08-2008, 19:04	#8
ess105 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Homeless - moving aboard Oct 08 Boat: Lagoon 420 (Dignity) Posts: 493 Images: 4	Very helpful answers - thanks __________________ Dignity on the web

12-08-2008, 19:30	#9
speciald@ocens. Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: On the boat - Carib, Chesapeake Boat: 58 Taswell AS Posts: 171	The oriinal must be on the boat. I've used a copy when clearing in in the Caribbean .

13-08-2008, 09:43	#10
Cheechako Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 245	how to tell an original I believe the new doc's are no longer embossed, Not sure how anyone (especially an 19 yr old seasick guardsman) would know the difference!

13-08-2008, 10:33	#12
Cheechako Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 245	illegal? Sorry Chuck, I didnt know it was illegal to copy your document. Do you?

13-08-2008, 11:26	#13
Chuck Baier Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Where ever the boat is. Boat: Marine Trader 34 "Beach House" Posts: 1,644 Images: 54	Did not say it was illegal. But suggestion that some one try and pass off a copy as an original document is not appropriate in my opinion. But that is just my opinion. __________________ To boldly go!! Read about our past and current cruises, the boat, some projects and a whole lot more at Voyages of Sea Trek And Now Visit The New Boats Site At The Beach House

13-08-2008, 11:36	#14
JiffyLube Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Oceanside, Ca. Boat: Islander Freeport 36 - Grasshopper Posts: 137 Images: 8	I kept my original on land with a copy on the boat, but I changed that to the original on the boat and the copy on land. There was another discussion on this subject once before, and the argument that changed my mind was, the documentation is akin to the registration we keep in our cars (not copies)...at least in California.

13-08-2008, 11:38	#15
Cheechako Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 245	I hear ya... I'm not really suggesting it either. I'm assuming the average cruiser would use his original anytime he's dealing with the USCG....why not? It is nice having the backup though. In Martinique, they tried to keep my document when I checked in, and of course the language was an issue. It was just one of those things they/he decided to do that day I guess! In the end I got it back by giving them one of my copies! Didnt happen on my way back through the next time... At the time the French were showing their "bravado" by randomly refusing entry for some reason. Approaching freshly anchored yachts at high speed and telling them to leave the harbor. Go figure. I checked the Fed Regs and could not find any mention regarding not copying the document. However it says "the original must be presented when requested", which kind of implies that copies can occur....

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