If there is a mortgage against the vessel, typically the mortgagee must give consent to allow for endorsements. Vessels must be endorsed with respect to their particular usage. Examples of some endorsement are as follows:

• Recreational Endorsement: A certification on a vessel's Certificate of Documentation indicating the vessel may be operated for pleasure usage.

• Commercial Vessel: Must be documented to engage in trade. Coast Guard documentation provides unhindered commerce and is required for a vessel that carries passengers/ crew, transports cargo, and/or operates in the fishing trade, etc.

• Coastwise Endorsement: Commonly known as a "charter", this endorsement allows a vessel to engage in the transportation of passengers (6 or fewer, or 6 or more) between U.S. ports. Some lenders only allow for a limited coastwise endorsement, meaning for only a certain amount of days in the year.

• Fisheries Endorsement: authorization given to a documented vessel to engage in commercial fishing activities.