Don't assume that all methods of Transporting Your Boat will be Legal or that your Personal Liability and
Boat will be Properly Insured. The following information can give the prospective Shipper insight on what they
may encounter in their search for ways to Ship A Boat. This can be important information and can help you to
Minimize the Risk and Problems of Boat and Yacht Moving.
Some Boat Owners Might Want To Ship A Boat Themselves:
 | | In some cases, this might be feasible and practical if the Boat is not too large, and you have the Correct Truck, Trailer, | | | Equipment, Insurance, legal and Boat Transportation Knowledge. If this is the method you select, check the Regulations in
each state you will be traveling through to insure you are familiar with and can meet all Legal Criteria required for every state.
Failure to do so could leave you vulnerable and Legally and Financially at Risk.
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A Boat Owner May Select A Boat Transport Company To Handle The Move:
| | If a Boat Owner chooses to have a Professional Boat Transport Company Ship the Boat, it is critical to Verify the Legal and | | | Insurance status of the Carrier. In addition to making sure the Company Operates Legally and with Proper Insurance, it is
essential that the Boat Transport Company is Reputable, has Proper Equipment, Professional Drivers, and Adequate
Experience Transporting the specific type of Boat or Yacht to be Shipped.
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A Boat Owner May Want A Boat Transportation Broker To Coordinate the Shipment:
| | Some Boat Owners might prefer to utilize a Boat Transportation Broker to arrange the Boat Transportation. A Broker arranges, | | | for compensation, the Truck Transportation of the Boat, utilizing For-Hire Common Carriers to provide the actual Truck
Transportation. Check both the Broker and the Boat Transportation Company's Legal Authority and Insurance to know what
their Liability may or may not be. The Broker may not have any Legal Liability to you and the Boat Owner may not have any
reasonable repercussion against the Broker if there is a problem Transporting Your Boat.
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A Boat Owner May Utilize A freight Forwarder For Control Of The Boat Shipment:
| | In some circumstances, it might be beneficial for the Boat Owner to utilize a Freight Forwarder for the Boat Move. Similar to a | | | Broker, a Freight Forwarder arranges, for compensation, the Truck Transportation of the Boat, utilizing For-Hire Common
Carriers to provide the actual Truck Transportation. A difference is the Freight Forwarder Assumes Responsibility for the
Transportation from place of receipt to destination. Check both the Freight Forwarder and the Boat Transportation Company's
Legal Authority and Insurance to know what their Liability may or may not be.
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A Boat Owner Might Be Misled Into Doing Business With A "Logistics Company":
| | Many Companies call themselves "logistics Companies" today. They can be anything from a Warehouse/Distribution Facility, a | | | Motor Carrier, a Freight Forwarder, a Broker, a Shipper's Agent, a Consultant, or some combination of these functions. There
is, unfortunately, No Legal Or Official Definition of a "Logistics Company". Motor Carriers, Freight Forwarders and Property
Brokers are required by law to "Register" with the FMCSA and it is Illegal to perform or provide these services without
Operating Authority, Insurance, Surety Bonds, etc as provided in the Interstate Commerce Act and FMCSA Regulations.
Unfortunately, the FMCSA has limited resources to Enforce the Laws and many of them Operate Illegally. You must be
extremely careful when dealing with a "Logistics Company". Determine exactly what Services are to be Provided by them and
demand copies of their Operating Authority, Insurance, Bond, etc before anything is signed. Doing business with a "Logistics
Company" can be Very Risky and it is always advisable to know what type of Legal Authority, if any, exists.
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A Boat Owner Will Find Many Online Marketplace Sites And Boat Transport Directories:
| | There are several Online Sites where you can list the Boat to be Shipped and Receive Bids from several Transporters for the | | | move. Most are Auction Type of Systems, where the site, for compensation, usually from both the Shipper and the
Transporter, makes arrangements for the Shipper and Transporter to get into contact with each other. In some cases the
Online Site acts as a Broker but does not have the same Responsibilities to the Shipper or Transporter as a Licensed. Insured,
and Bonded Company has. In this type of system, the Transporter may not be a Legal, Insured Carrier. Check the Company's
Legal Authority and Insurance to know what their Liability may or may not be. They may not have any Legal Liability to you
and you may not have any reasonable repercussion against them if there is a Problem Transporting Your Boat. Boat Directories
can operate in a variety of ways, with one thing usually in common, the site owner has No Legal Authority, Insurance, or
Bond and usually does not Verify Authority and Insurance of the Transporters listed on the site.
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A Boat Owner Should Always Verify Credentials Of Company They Do Business With:
| | In addition to verifying the Legal Operating Authority and Insurance, both Liability and Cargo, check out the Company you | | | may be doing business with in the same manner you would check out other Companies you deal with, such as with the
Chamber Of Commerce, Dun And Bradstreet, And The Better Business Bureau. Insure the Boat Transportation Company is a
Professional Company, not just a phantom name, that has the People, Experience, Credentials, Equipment, Support, and
Knowledge needed to Ship Your Boat. Ask your local Boat Dealer or Marina as they will probably be knowledgeable of Boat
Transportation Companies. If they don't know the Company, they can probably find out information about the Company for
you. You can also check on the website Stop Illegal Trucking to see if the Company you are considering has been investigated
by the website. Talk with the Boat Transportation Company or Boat Transport Broker and ask all the questions you need in
order to become comfortable with them. A Reputable Company will usually post on their advertisements their US DOT
Number and/or the US Motor Carrier Number. A Reputable Company will always be glad to discuss with you in advance of
your committing with them, any concerns of the Boat Move, any aspect of their Business, and the Business of Transporting,
Moving, or Relocating Your Boat or Yacht.
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