Bureaucrats Renew Vessel Ownership Paperwork Shuffle for U.S. Boats
Published Date: 12/23/2025
Notice
Summary
The Maritime Administration wants to keep collecting info when U.S. citizens transfer ownership, registry, or flag of their documented vessels. This helps make sure vessels follow U.S. flag rules. If you own or work with these boats, your feedback is welcome before February 23, 2026, and there’s no new cost—just a chance to help improve the process!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Data Used to Check Retention Rules
MARAD will use the collected information to determine whether a proposed sale, charter, lease, mortgage, or foreign transfer of a U.S.-flag vessel is subject to retention under U.S. flag statutory regulations. That determination can affect owners who apply to transfer their vessels to non-citizens or to foreign registry.
Continued Paperwork for Vessel Transfers
If you own a U.S.-documented vessel and apply to transfer it to a foreign registry or non-citizen, you must continue to submit the MARAD information collection (OMB Control Number 2133-0006). The agency estimates 85 respondents, about 2 hours per response, and 170 total burden hours annually.
Renewal Without Change Approved
MARAD plans to renew the existing information collection as an extension without change (OMB 2133-0006), so the current form and procedures remain the same. The renewal means owners will not face new or different paperwork rules while the collection is extended.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-23726, Request for Comments on the Renewal of a Previously Approved Information Collection: MARAD Exercise Breakout Survey
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) wants to renew and update its Mariner Preparedness Exercise Survey, now called the Mariner PrepEx Survey. This survey helps keep track of mariners’ readiness and communication methods, with some new questions added. Mariners and related agencies should share their thoughts within 30 days, as the survey will take a bit more time and involve more people than before.
Next: 2025-23728, Request for Comments on the Renewal of a Previously Approved Information Collection: Ocean Shipments Moving Under Export-Import Bank Financing
The Maritime Administration wants to keep collecting info on ocean shipments funded by the Export-Import Bank to track shipping data and make sure rules are followed. If you’re involved in these shipments or just curious, you can share your thoughts by February 23, 2026. This helps keep the process smooth without adding extra hassle or costs.