Messages

Have you checked the AC Raw Water is flowing?
You should see a steady flow of water out of the outflow when the AC system turns on. (It most likely runs all the time when the AC is powered up)
If there is no Raw water flowing, then the system will most likely shut down.

Paul

Yes, this is the first thing you check.  It may be as simple as the sea cock is still closed.  On my boat, I have a big problem with my pump loosing its prime

The CG has put out an advisory on this warning people of this scam.  They can't stop it, but they are alerting people to only use the CG website to renew.

https://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg545/alerts/Adv0117.pdf

It does seem the CG can't do much about these scammers, however....
I have read some posts where boaters complained to VISA and did get their money back.  The more people who complain to VISA, the better.  Also complaints to the postal service and the FTC won't hurt either.

Glad you didn't fall for it and yes, the more reminders the better.  Best way to shut these people down...letting all documented boat owners know about this and eventually this cash cow will dry up.

Hugh17,
Just curious, why do you want to make this switch?

Do you have to relocate your tank as well?  You can put a CNG tank just about any convenient place on a boat where regulations for other fuel tank placement is much tighter.  I know propane has to have a dedicated locker, don't know about butane.

I love my CNG setup and would never replace it.

They did send me my renewal so they did what they promised, just charged way too much for it.

Mike, check your next renewal date.  Because this company sends in your request sooner than the CG asks for it, I lost a month of documentation going from 5/31/17 to 4/30/18.

Just to follow up, I'm seeing on other boating forums that a lot of people, like me, have lost a month on their renewal.  A few have actually lost 2 months.

No room under the aft bunk for group 24?

That's where my starting battery is.

They did send me my renewal so they did what they promised, just charged way too much for it.

Mike, check your next renewal date.  Because this company sends in your request sooner than the CG asks for it, I lost a month of documentation going from 5/31/17 to 4/30/18.

Mike, I'm not surprised.  These people are slick and have good lawyers.  I have already filed a complaint with the BBB and BOAT US and sent an email to the USCG regarding this.  BOAT US suggested filing a complaint with the Postal Service and the CG suggests filing a complaint with the FEderal Trade Comm.
If enough people complain, these people will get shut down or at a minimum, have to change their method of business.

Mike, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and hope you get the $$ back.
This is why I've posted here and other boating forums so this doesn't happen to others as it did to you and me.

FWIW, I got my renewal letter as well, so it is a legit, although unethical service.

FWIW, they did send the paperwork in.  The *real* USCG just verified that it was processed  and had been mailed back to them two days ago.  Once I get that in the mail, it will be good for 1 year. 

Now all that's left is to talk to them about cancelling the "renewal" service that they sold me.  I went ahead and paid for 5 years and they apparently will do the paperwork for me, at quite a profit.

Let us know how that goes.  Did you pay all 5 years upfront?  If so, I hate to say, you can probably kiss that money goodbye. 

Chick,

First of all......  $26 last year..... for what?

The fee was $75.  What happened to the $26 I paid last year?  I just assumed it went up.

ken

My boat is Coast Guard Documented, not state registered.  Yearly renewal from the Coast Guard is $26, or $75 if you fall for this scam.

I know this isn't a C34 issue, but I just wanted to alert as many people as possible.
I got a letter a week or so ago from, I thought was the Coast Guard alerting me that my documentation renewal was due.  Gave me a website to go to, again I thought was the CG.  The fee was $75.  What happened to the $26 I paid last year?  I just assumed it went up.
After paying the $75, I found out it was a documentation service, not the CG.

Anyway, beware of this renewal letter as the company who sent it out went as far as legally possible to fool people it came from the CG. 

Save yourself $49 and only deal directly with the CG.  Tell everyone you know who has documented boats.

On my 110v breaker panel, I've got 5 switches...
Main, water heater, outlets, battery charger and AC.  As I mentioned, I never have any problem running everything on one 30 amp plug.  Once in a while, we do use our microwave and when we do, we turn off the water heater.  Other than that, 30 amps is plenty.