Rick Marinelli

I am not opposed to the concept of the Coast Guard recouping costs for renewal of vessel documentation. However, I question whether annual renewals are necessary. Has the Coast Guard considered extending the period? State registration processes are mentioned in the analysis. Virginia, for one, registers boats for a three-year period. Also, it does not appear that costs associated with collecting and processing fees have been considered. I believe when the Coast Guard's subsequent analysis shows its total costs rising because of the additional expense of collecting fees, the annual fee to boaters will rise.