Change registration to US to avoid foreign government confiscation?

[jared1048]

Someone brought this up when talking about sailing from US to Mexico. They said to move the registration from yourself to the US so its considered US government property and not yours so they couldnt take it from you? Seems like pretty wild thing to suggest with lots of possible issues.

Anyone know what this guy was talking about?

Thanks,
-Jared

[goboatingnow]

Anyone know what this guy was talking about?

good thing he doesnt have a clue whats he is talking about.

IN a given country , your are subject to its rules, flags of registration do not prevent those rules from being applied.

dave

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by jared1048

Anyone know what this guy was talking about?

What this guy was doing is something known as "talking out of his backside." Also sometimes referred to as "blowing smoke." Or perhaps just "feeding you a line of BS."

In any case, he is completely full of it, and there is not a shred of truth to his nonsense.

[Kettlewell]

My guess is that he is thinking about getting your boat U.S. Coast Guard documented, which in the past meant that theoretically the government could seize your boat in time of war to be used as a vessel of the USA. They did this during WWII with some large yachts that were used as submarine patrol, etc. Some people also believe, though I don't know where this might be stated, that your documented boat is therefore considered US soil even when you are in a foreign country. The one real thing documentation does for you is that it is the most widely recognized piece of boat ownership paper for USA citizens, so it smooths things a bit when checking into other countries.

[goboatingnow]

that your documented boat is therefore considered US soil even when you are in a foreign country.

Thats exactly what registration DOES NOT do. ( and never did) , the only thing that has that are embassies. Registration ( as regards laws) means that in the absence of anything else ( ie the High seas) , the laws of the country of registration apply,

In foreign countries, the rule of comity is generally applied, hence a foreign country will in general respect the rules of the flag country. But that is a diplomatic nicety, You are subject to local rules and laws when in another countries waters, except where you can legitimacy claim right of free passage.( which is purely a UNCLOS thing anyway)

[jared1048]

Ok, I thought it sounded fishy.

We are registered with the coast gaurd though.