Your Responsibilities When Owning a Large Fishing Boat
Your responsibilities when owning a large fishing boat can be very easy. Owning a boat can be a great deal of fun for you and your friends. You can get the chance to go to exotic places and enjoy special vacations. Of course, there are those that want to own a large boat with the express intention of going fishing out into the ocean waters. Whether you are looking for a large boat like this for yourself or to own one to start some type of commercial business or charter business, there are some responsibilities that go along with owning a boat like this. As you start looking at the different boats for sale, there are some things you want to keep in mind and consider, such as:
- The Condition of the Boat – The condition of the boat is of critical importance to you before you make a purchase. You want to make sure that you examine the boat closely, go over all of the details of the boat with the current owner and get the boat inspected inside and out so that you can be aware of any potential problems before you make your purchase. You may also want to take the time to go to the U.S. Coast Guard Documentation Center and search the boat based on its certificate of documentation number so that you can learn about any potential problems and the history of the boat.
- Providing Safety – Once you have made your purchase, it is up to you as the owner of the boat to make sure it complies with all of the current safety regulations that apply to large boats of this size or commercial vessels. The Coast Guard has strict regulations regarding safety access and the posting of safety information where all aboard can read it, so you want to familiarize yourself with all of the regulations to make sure your boat has everything available in case of an emergency.
- Documentation – If you have purchased the boat with the idea of making it a charter boat or commercial fishing boat, the law requires you todocument the boat with the Coast Guard. You need to get vessel documentation to show that the boat is properly listed with the Coast Guard and government. To get this documentation, you will need the bill of sale from your transaction, and you will have to fill out forms and pay a fee to file and process the documents each year.
Go Through the Process
If your dream has always been to own a large fishing boat, then it is well worth the effort you put in before and after the sale to make sure the boat is safe and up to standard regulations. Take your time to do your homework and research regarding what you need to do and ask the help of a documentation service like U.S. Vessel Documentation or another service to assist you with the process so you can be sure everything is done properly.
