Piracy continues to represent a significant safety and financial risk for those working in the international maritime industry. The World Shipping Council reports there were 439 pirate attacks in 2011 and 45 merchant vessels hijacked. The United States Coast Guard, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other maritime safety experts like Giles Noakes of BIMCO has issued best practices for captains and crew when traveling in high-risk waters. When traveling through...

Vessel documentation, a national form of registration, is a requirement for most large vessels. After applying with the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC), the United States Coast Guard will issue a vessel certification documentation number to each eligible vessel owner. Determining Whether or Not You Need Vessel Documentation Title 46 CFR Part 67 details the national vessel certification process. It explains that towboats and all vessels weighting five tons or more that are used in...

Vessel documentation is a national form of registration for vessels. The National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC), a division of the United States Coast Guard, manages vessel registration and will issue a vessel certification number to each eligible vessel owner who completes the application process. The Purpose & Significance of Vessel Registration Registering vessels was actually one of the first functions our government performed, dating all the way back to the 11th Act of the First...

Pursuant to 46 CFR 4.05-1, federal regulations mandate that the owner, operator or person in charge of a vessel must notify the Coast Guard of any marine casualties immediately after addressing pressing safety concerns. What constitutes as a reportable marine casualty? All marine causalities must be reported to the nearest Coast Guard Sector office as soon as possible. The USCG defines a reportable marine casualty as any of the following: unintended grounding; unintended colliding with a...