Documention Number Not Validated by USCG

[solosailormike]

I recently contacted the Coast Guard to verify that the vessel number # did in fact have no liens and if the name was the legal owner. The papers were signed and notary was ready with the stamp.

The CG replied that they can not verify any vessel, even if it may be stolen unless I first get a Freedom of information act package and pay $25. That is seriously wrong.

Yet two years ago I went on line to check available vessel name listed and how to proceed to change my existing boat name to a new one.

What happened.
Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996 (E-FOIA

[delmarrey]

Anyway the gov can make a buck, now that they have run the national budget into the sewer. Now they're even charging tax on canned sodas here.

I know this is going to turn into a political post pretty quick.

BTW....................._/)

http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/st1//Coa...selByName.html

http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/st1//Coa...esselByID.html

[btrayfors]

Before you take pot shots at the USCG and the USG, you might check a bit further.

You can find the registry of any U.S. documented vessel on the following site:
Office of Science and Technology

There, you'll find a wealth of info, e.g.,

Data found in current database.
Vessel Name: BORN FREE USCG Doc. No.: 651316 Vessel Service: SCHOOL SHIP IMO Number: * Trade Indicator: Registry Call Sign: WBB9960 Hull Material: FRP (FIBERGLASS) Hull Number: CHLGW0171081 Ship Builder: GOLDEN WAVE SHIPYARD LTD Year Built: 1981

Length (ft.): 42 Hailing Port: ST THOMAS VI Hull Depth (ft.): 10 Owner: WILLIAM HOFF TRAYFORS TRUST, DATED JULY 8, 2008
2401 SOUTH LYNN STREET
ARLINGTON, VA 22202 Hull Breadth (ft.): 12.7 Gross Tonnage: 26 Net Tonnage: 24 Documentation Issuance Date: January 12, 2010 Documentation Expiration Date: February 28, 2011 Previous Vessel Names: No Vessel Name Changes Previous Vessel Owners: No Vessel Owner Changes

Bill

[djmarchand]

Mike:

The information you want is usually obtained by getting an Abstract of Title from the USCG. It probably isn't any cheaper than the $25 FOI filing fee that you mentioned, but it is much more routine.

Unfortunately the online data mentioned in the earlier post gives no lien information, whereas the Abstract of Title gives the complete lien history.

David