Quick Tips For A More Successful Coast Guard Documented Vessel Search Are you wondering how you can conduct a successful Coast Guard vessel documentation search? If so, the U.S Vessel Documentation Center has you covered. Suppose you are the vessel owner that the United States Coast Guard records; you must know how to successfully search if a crew member goes missing. You can assure that everyone on board is accounted for promptly and securely by following these simple pointers and putting them into action. In the event of a crisis, it is important for you, the owner of a USCG vessel, to be as well prepared as possible. A recorded vessel search is one example of this kind of situation. The following are some suggestions that can assist you in making your search as fruitful as possible. Make Sure Your Vessel Is Properly Registered with The Coast Guard The Coast Guard maintains a database of registered vessels open to the public and may be searched for free online. If you are searching for a vessel that has gone missing, you should begin your Coast Guard vessel documentation search there. If you have a vessel that has been reported missing, the Coast Guard can assist you in registering the loss and removing the vessel from your responsibility. (The vessel does not need to be gone before this occurs; the Coast Guard may assist if it has sunk or been stolen.) You might be asking yourself why you should bother with any of this in the first place. The answer is straightforward: if you register your vessel with the Coast Guard, you will make it simpler for yourself to file a report of its loss if anything from it goes missing. In addition to this, the database maintained by the Coast Guard may be searched by anyone, even if they do not have access to the internet. Keep Up-To-Date Contact Information on File with The Coast Guard Make sure the Coast Guard has your current contact information. The Coast Guard has always had access to a vessel owner’s contact information, such as a phone number or email address, but you must keep this information up to date to receive any response from them. Communication via phone is sometimes the only option for ships that don’t dock at a permanent location. According to ecfr.gov, you should keep track of your vessels at all times, and if you change addresses, be sure to let everyone know where you can be reached (or they do). Even while the Coast Guard has always had access to a vessel owner’s contact information, such as a phone number or email address, the owner is responsible for keeping this information up to date. Communication via phone is often the only option for ships without a permanent docking location. In the event of a crisis, it is imperative that the Coast Guard can reach you without delay. Give The Coast Guard Accurate Information About Your Voyage Plans The captain’s level of transparency before setting sail is perhaps the most important factor differentiating a safe and fruitful journey from a recorded Coast Guard vessel