Do you have a smaller vessel without CG documentation that you aren?t sure what to do with? Is there a vessel in storage just collecting dust that you?d like to get some use out of? That?s where a special form of documentation, called the ?MARAD Waiver? can become very useful. Of the many forms we offer, this may not be one that everyone uses. However, it will be the absolute perfect form for folks who have a vessel that meets very particular requirements.?
Qualifying for the MARAD Waiver?
Not just everyone with any vessel can qualify for a MARAD waiver. For example, the vessel must be at least three years old. So, if it was just made, or if it?s been around for one or even two years, then you don’t yet qualify for this. Speaking of ways that you won?t qualify: if you (the sole owner) are not a United States citizen. You?ll also note that the technical name of this form at our site is the ?MARAD Small Vessel Waiver.? So, when it is used, it can?t carry more than twelve passengers.?
What You Can Do With the MARAD Waiver
If you go back to the last sentence of the last paragraph, you?ll note the word ?passengers.? That?s deliberate. With this waiver, you can only use your vessel to carry passengers. That?s it. You can?t use it to carry cargo. You also can?t use it for commercial fishing. Additionally, you can?t use it for salvage, towing, dredging, or any other purpose you can think of other than carrying passengers. However, all of that said, you can use it for sport fishing. So, if you want to take the vessel out to fish for fun with friends and family, that?s OK. Keep in mind, though: you can?t sell the fish commercially.?
Next Step After the MARAD Waiver?
As you might imagine, for many vessel owners, this waiver is not the end of their documentation journey but rather the beginning. More often than not, what happens is: the applicant (you, the vessel owner) sends in this form. Then, you file for documentation with a coastwise trade endorsement as a passenger vessel. To be clear, you should do that if and only if the vessel measures greater than five net tons (which would qualify you for documentation).?
CG Documentation After the MARAD Waiver?
Of course, this form is by no means the most used form at our site. However, it has helped many vessel owners to get everything they want out of their vessel. Really, that?s what so much of our documentation is about: helping vessel owners just like you to get everything out of the vessels that they own. Whether you want to use them for commercial fishing, transporting people or goods, foreign trade, or just so you can get a mortgage on your vessel, we?ve got the forms you need. To see everything that we offer, head to our site or call (800) 535-8570.
