$15,423 Coast Guard Fine

[MichaelB1969]

Yikes! Fortunately looks like I won't have to pay it, especially since I renewed right away (I was expired by 1 week).

But goodness, can you imagine having to pay a fine like that just because your registration expired.

[HeadMistress]

In California nothing would surprise me!

[BandB]

Now all those "fake" documentation services would say that is what their $75 fee saves you.

Clearly, it can be a sizable fine, but they don't wish to make it so. I'm sure very few ever have to pay the maximum fine. It's a bit like expired tags which are typically taken care of the same way but in some states can lead to jail time.

[DDW]

That there is Federal Law (CFR is Code of Federal Regulations). Got nothing to do with California.

[BruceK]

If you had not renewed how could you have "the original Certificate of Documentation currently in effect"? There wasn`t one.
If they want to ping you for not renewing,ok. But they can`t expect you to have a Doc onboard they know doesn`t exist.
It`s a strange generic way to send a registration reminder. Are you satisfied it is genuine and the sender is the proper Authority?

[Comodave]

What they mean by oroginal COD is the one that comes from the CG not a photocopy.

[Oldersalt]

I also wonder about its authenticity. I have never seen the use of a personal pronoun in an official government document.
Oldersalt

[Xsbank]

I think thar’s Spam. Call the office.

[MichaelB1969]

It's genuine. They did board me and I had my coast guard certificate doc but it was expired.

[BruceK]

Originally Posted by MichaelB1969

It's genuine. They did board me and I had my coast guard certificate doc but it was expired.

In a way, that`s worse than it being bogus.

[Seevee]

I'm so fed up the documentation center, I believe I'll cancel it next year. They have been late every year on every boat I've owned.

And this year they promised me one week turn around. I call them after receiving nothing after a few weeks. "Oh, your registration got put in the wrong box".....

Call them again, "Oh, you have a discrepancy, need to correct it"...

After 5 weeks no document.

Last year was several MONTHS to get the paper!

I really don't see the need, even in Canada or Bahamas, unless one is doing charter.

And in this case, the punishment sure doesn't fit the crime.

[markpierce]

Reminds me of the phone message received several days ago. Message said there was an arrest warrant on me for unpaid taxes. Didn't respond since the message was a fraud.

[OldDan1943]

Originally Posted by markpierce

Reminds me of the phone message received several days ago. Message said there was an arrest warrant on me for unpaid taxes. Didn't respond since the message was a fraud.

I did not respond and they still call back. I have, according to them, 4 arrest warrants that can be resolved.....

[markpierce]

Originally Posted by OldDan1943

I did not respond and they still call back. I have, according to them, 4 arrest warrants that can be resolved.....

Don't worry. US tax authorities communicate by mail. A good friend had two such crime threats a couple of days ago.

[OldDan1943]

Originally Posted by markpierce

Don't worry. US tax authorities communicate by mail. A good friend had two such crime threats a couple of days ago.

Yup, and, I live a squeaky clean life too, one might say 'boring'.
I dont recall the voice identifying itself as IRS.

[Maerin]

Originally Posted by OldDan1943

Yup, and, I live a squeaky clean life too, one might say 'boring'.
I dont recall the voice identifying itself as IRS.

I had a number of those scam "IRS" calls, the "agent" identified himself as "Agent Miller with the IRS in Washington DC", the caller ID actually did indicate the call originated in DC, and the guy used official sounding jargon-- in a heavy Indian accent. My first question was "how is it that an IRS agent named 'Miller' has such a thick Indian accent I can barely understand it??" He hung up. Unless I recognise the number, I'm already suspicious. Either don't answer, or just immediately hang up. IRS never makes initial contact by phone, always mail.

[MichaelB1969]

Originally Posted by BruceK

In a way, that`s worse than it being bogus.

Agreed!

[IronZebra]

They quote the correct violation statue (46CFR...) but I had to search for the fine statue (46USC...). Looks like there adjust max fines for inflation each year and stick the updates in a table here ( https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/33/27.3 ).

Table is pretty interesting on what they can fine.

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

Originally Posted by Seevee

I'm so fed up the documentation center, I believe I'll cancel it next year. They have been late every year on every boat I've owned.

And this year they promised me one week turn around. I call them after receiving nothing after a few weeks. "Oh, your registration got put in the wrong box".....

Call them again, "Oh, you have a discrepancy, need to correct it"...

After 5 weeks no document.

Last year was several MONTHS to get the paper!

I really don't see the need, even in Canada or Bahamas, unless one is doing charter.

And in this case, the punishment sure doesn't fit the crime.

I have done my renewal online at the beginning of the expired month. They have never been late and i have always received my certificate within 14 days.

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

Originally Posted by markpierce

Reminds me of the phone message received several days ago. Message said there was an arrest warrant on me for unpaid taxes. Didn't respond since the message was a fraud.

I had the same message but the IRS was suing me for fraud, unless I give them information.