The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report on the USCG National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC). The Coast Guard requires owners of certain commercial ships and other vessels to obtain vessel documentation—a form of registration. Owners of recreational vessels may also seek documentation to help them secure financing and other advantages. The Coast Guard’s documentation center generally processes commercial vessels on time but continues to suffer from backlogs for recreational ones. The Coast Guard has switched some staff from commercial to recreational reviews and taken other actions. The report recommends, among other things, that the Coast Guard review whether the user fees it charges are sufficient to cover the cost of this service and more. (12/16/20) [GAO-21-100, COAST GUARD: Actions Needed to Improve National Vessel Documentation Center Operations]. [https://www.gao.gov/assets/720/711315.pdf]