Boat Documentation Renewal

R

risingson

Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2008
RO Number
29910
Messages
68
Just rec'd paperwork to renew documentation.
2 years $75.00
Is this the correct renewal or a third party renewal?
It is from Maritime documentation center, not the Dept of Homeland security US Coast Guard.

https://maritimedocumentation.us/renewal/

USCG RENEWAL DOCUMENTATION ADVANCED PAYMENT OPTION*
You can eliminate the possibility of late fees, as well as reinstatement fees, by paying your yearly renewal documentation in advance. Your certificate of documentation will be automatically renewed each year, for the number of years selected, by Maritime Documentation Center, a private documentation firm.

NOTE: The NVDC only issues their vessel renewals for a period/duration of one year each. Your yearly certificate will be valid for one year only. You will receive one (1) Year long certificate each year, depending on how many additional years you have ordered. For each individual year of renewal a new renewal will be AUTOMATICALLY forwarded to your designated address at time of renewal(s). This may require that the vessel owner update their current address to facilitate the renewal process.
No Additional Years
2 year renewal (additional $75.00)
3 year renewal (additional $150.00)
4 year renewal (additional $225.00)
5 year renewal (additional $300.00)
 
It is right there at the second parargraph. “Marine doc center, a private firm.

Plain English

Just go online at the NVDC website and renew there
 
Pascal, you are right...it is right there in plain English...also the smallest font used on the website. Their business model is hoping no one reads the fine print. I got burned a couple of years ago, because I truly thought I was on the actual CG website. And judging by the many threads on multiple boating forums, I'm not the only one to fall for this (legitimate) scam and to be pissed off at myself for not being more observant.

This company offers nothing to justify charging the extra fees. You can either spend 2-3 minutes on their website and pay $75 or spend 2-3 minutes on the Coast Guard Doc. Website and pay $26. Your choice
 
Risingson, if you just got this letter, you most likely will be getting your renewal letter from the CG in the next 2-3 weeks. Maritime is hoping you renew with them BEFORE you get the CG letter.
 
While it screams dishonest and predatory to me, I’m not sure it crosses the line to a flat out scam. It looks like the “added value” is they stay on top of the renewals for however many years you pay them to in advance. I have to wonder if that’s how they stay “technically legitimate” (because it IS very deceptive!)
 
The doc service I fell for a few years back was US Vessel Documentation. I see where they have made some changes to their website. I've got a feeling the CG had a conversation with them and suggested they make some changes...or else.
The big change, they had a picture of a boat on their home page that had stripes on the bow. At first glance, you assumed it was a CG vessel because of the stripes. Looking more closely, something didn't look quite right. The stripes were almost, but not exactly like the stripes on a CG vessel. It was extremely suggestive. I'm sure the CG took exception to that picture and made them change it. After reading the many threads on this topic, I'll bet the CG got dozens if not hundreds of complaints, mine included.
 
So, they are charging you $23 to put your signed renewal form in an envelope and mail it to The NVDC. Don't fall for it. These private companies know when your documentation expires and know that the CG will send you a renewal form one month before. The scammers will send you a form two months before.
 
This bozo has a new website. Old one was www.nationalvesseldocumentationcenter, new one is maritimedocumentation.us. Still charging $75 for a one year renewal. That's $26 for The Coast Guard and 449 for him. I was hoping we chased this guy out of business but he just changed his name.
 
There are a couple of companies all with the same business model...trick people into thinking they are the legitimate CG Doc office and charge $75 to do it. Continue spreading the word on all the boating forums
 
I just got mine in the mail yesterday, curious as to the sender. It looked legit as you all say. I will check tonight.
 
quote:
Originally posted by TJM

I just got mine in the mail yesterday, curious as to the sender. It looked legit as you all say. I will check tonight.

Click to expand...


Look at the website address it wants you to go to. If it ends in .mil, you are good to go. Anything else, .com, .us, etc. you are dealing with a private firm and they will want $75 to renew. CG only wants $26.
 
Just a quick note on this subject of renewing your Certificate of Documentation (COD) - Beginning on January 1, 2019, The National Vessel Documentation Center (The real .mil people), have come out with a new Instruction (NVDCINST 16713), that allows recreational CODs to extend the expiration date from one to 5 years by paying an additional fee. The DOC will come with the expiration date in 1-5 years based on the time that you select.

This will eliminate the need for you to renew each year, and will further hamper the "private" Doc firms attempting to trick you each year. Starting on January 1, 2022 recreational CODs, will be issued for a validity period of 5 years.

I just renewed my COD for 5 years at ($130).

Information about this new change is on the NVDC website.

P.S. I also noticed that the USCG DOC Search (by name or number), no longer provides Personal info - (like Name or Address), which is presumably how the "private" DOC firms got their information.

Hope this helps someone
 
If eliminating personal info will stop these scammers, that is great. I've got a feeling the CG Doc office got plenty of complaints and that is how they can shut these guys down.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top