In the August 12, 2014 Federal Register, the Coast Guard issued
a final rule entitled "Vessel Documentation Renewal
Fees." Currently there is no charge for renewals of
endorsements; however, as of November 10, 2014, the Coast Guard
will assess a $26 fee for the renewal of endorsements on a
vessel's Certificate of Documentation, which must be renewed
annually. According to the Coast Guard:
The purpose of this rule is to increase the annual Certificate
of Documentation (COD) renewal fee collections so that the fees we
charge more accurately reflect the actual costs to the Coast Guard
of providing the annual documentation renewal services.
The final rule also states:
The estimated $6.1 million in revenue that the government will
collect from the fee will enable the Coast Guard to continue
offering these services to the public, which will allow private and
commercial vessel owners to continue to benefit from the
program.
