Hampton Roads Documentation Services, Inc. is a full service documentation company. HRDS was founded in Portsmouth, Virginia by Donna B. Harmon, President. Donna Harmon was an assistant supervisor with the U.S. Coast Guard, Norfolk, Virginia office. All services are performed by our knowledgeable staff, which includes a former U.S. Coast Guard Documentation Officer. We provide you with over 37 years of documentation and marine related expertise.

Our service is the "Positive Plus at Boat Closings." We take pride in keeping our clients and lending institutions apprised of the status of the documentation process. Our clients say that the "excellent service and continuous outstanding communication make this documentation task effortless for us". It is important to select the best service available to you and you will find that HRDS is that service.

 Member American Vessel Documentation Association. Also a member of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce.

We keep abreast of the changing Federal Documentation regulations and ensure that all papers are expertly executed and recorded in a timely manner. HRDS is licensed and insured.

• The Boat Seller/Buyer Our professional staff is available to quickly process all the paperwork required to Federally Document or State Title/Register your vessel for both pleasure and/or commercial use.
• The Lender HRDS can file and perfect the loan you have provided for a marine financing whether it be for one vessel or a fleet of vessels for both pleasure and/or commercial use.
• The Dealer/Broker HRDS will act as your liaison between your buyer/seller and the lending institution with the most professional and expert documentation service available.

Pleasure Vessels

New/undocumented or Redocumented vessels--we will provide the Coast Guard Title Search, Satisfaction of Mortgage (if necessary), Bills of Sale to transfer title and the Preferred Ship's Mortgage and file the remainder of the papers to federally document your vessel.

Commercial Vessels

New/undocumented or Redocumented vessels--we will provide the Coast Guard Title Search, Satisfaction of Mortgage (if necessary), Bills of Sale to transfer title and the Preferred Ship's Mortgage, commercial endorsements, use of vessel and remainder of the papers to federally document your vessel.

• Federal documentation is required through the U.S. Coast Guard for the operation of vessels in certain trades.
• Vessels at least 5 net tons and usually 25 feet in length qualify for documentation.
• The complete history of the vessel is maintained at the vessel's port of documentation which is used for verification of the chain of title from the last documented owner and identifies any outstanding mortgages or liens for clear passage of title.
• The vessel's Certificate of Documentation serves as evidence of the vessel nationality and ownership is recognized around the world.
• When documented vessels leave or enter the U.S. it is not required to be cleared through customs, just a report of departure and arrival.
• The Official Number assigned by the U.S. Coast Guard is permanently marked on the vessel. This number cannot be altered and in turn can act as a theft deterrent. If the vessel is stolen it will fall under Federal law instead of state or local law for recovery and prosecution.
• Federal Documentation makes it possible for lending institutions to record a Preferred Ship's Mortgage against the vessel's Abstract of Title which in turn makes financing easier.

Cruise aboard the Bonny Blue