I'm posting this to make mariners out there aware of a scam some companies are running to take your money for renewing your vessel's USCG document.
The renewal of your USCG document costs $26 and you can do it one of two ways. You can go here:
www.dco.uscg.mil
and click on the Renewal button in the menu to the left of the page.
Or you can go here:
www.pay.gov
and do a SEARCH for "Vessel Documentation" and hit the "Continue to Form" button.
Pay.Gov is direct. The USCG web page will link you back to Pay.Gov. Either way, the process is simple and straightforward. Pay with a credit card. The cost is $26.
These private service companies that are offering to do this for you are charging $75, and they are not upfront with who they represent. In fact, they are trying to deceive you into thinking they are officially representing the USCG as a documentation service.
If you get a letter from uscgdocumentation.us or vesseldocumentation.org, throw it in the garbage and follow the instructions above.
Do not be fooled by what these companies are offering. They are stealing your money.
