July 02, 2010

Transportation Tips

I read a great article recently in Boat U.S. Magazine about online boat transportation services. Although many people have had great success in using them, the article provided some great reminders and tips to keep in mind.

•Before doing business with any interstate transportation service provider, ask for a copy of the company’s Operating Authority documentation issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation or comparable state and local documents for intrastate carriers. In addition, TSPs must obtain insurance and drivers must have commercial driver’s licenses, which include testing requirements for drugs and alcohol. Ask for proof of liability and cargo insurance. Reluctance to provide this information is reason enough to look elsewhere.
•DOT makes it easy to check up on the status of commercial carriers’ licenses, their insurance data, or their safety ratings. Consumers can visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website, http://li-public.fmsca.dot.gov or call 800-832-5660 or 202-366-9805.
•All transportation agreements should be in writing, with complete information about costs, taxes, tariffs, scheduling, security, and pickup and delivery locations, as well as rules about refunds for cancellations or delays.
•Ask the carrier for specific instructions about preparing the boat for traveling overland. Secure or, better yet, remove all loose items in the cabin and from on deck. Lock cabin doors, hatches and ports. Sailboat masts and rigging must be unstepped.
•Carefully inspect your boat before and after it’s loaded and note its condition on the carrier’s “condition of cargo” form. Do the same when the boat is delivered, to document any damages that may have occurred en route.
•The Dept. of Transportation will investigate complaints about carriers. Consumers can call 888-368-7238, Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET for more information.

Posted by ribcraftusa at July 2, 2010 03:21 PM