Pacific Maritime Title

Reputation and approach

• Pacific Maritime Title is known for:
• Reliability and thoroughness
• Dedication to customer service
• The ability to navigate complex vessel transactions
• The company combines foundational systems developed in its early years with continued innovation to remain adaptable and meet evolving client needs.

Leadership and team

• Pacific Maritime Title is under the continued leadership of Kim George and Tanya Lage.
• The team is comprised of experienced professionals with unmatched expertise in vessel transactions.
• The company emphasizes ongoing education and active engagement with the maritime industry to stay ahead of trends and anticipate client needs.

Industry involvement and community

Pacific Maritime Title is actively involved in the maritime community, including:

• Participation in events throughout the year to stay connected to industry trends.
• Sponsorship of the VIP Night of the Boats Afloat Show.
• Support for the PNW Yacht Captains Auction for The Forgotten Children's Christmas Fund.
• Support for various yachting rendezvous in the Pacific Northwest.

Professional memberships and credentials

Pacific Maritime Title holds multiple professional memberships and credentials, including:

• Member of the American Vessel Documentation Association.
• Member of the National Notary Association.
• Member of the Northwest Marine Trade Association.
• Member of the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association.
• All Title Agents are licensed and bonded notary publics.
• The company is fully insured for professional liability purposes.

Service region

• Pacific Maritime Title primarily serves the Pacific Northwest maritime community and works with industry professionals throughout the region and beyond.
• The company also works with lenders in both the marine and private sectors throughout the United States.

• Private party vessel sales
• Brokerage vessel purchases
• Refinancing of vessels
• Other vessel-related ownership and financing transactions

U.S. Coast Guard documentation

• Works with the U.S. Coast Guard to:
• Procure vessel records
• Verify ownership and lien status
• Complete federal documentation for recreational and commercial vessels
• U.S. Coast Guard documentation (Certificate of Documentation or COD) helps to:
• Provide protection for a documented vessel in foreign waters
• Maintain the ownership history of a vessel
• Provide a mechanism for lien recordation

State titling and registration

• Communicates with the appropriate state agencies on the customer's behalf.
• Facilitates registering vessels and obtaining official state titles.
• Conveys specific state requirements to help ensure ongoing compliance for each vessel.

Lender services

• Maintains strong working relationships with marine and private lenders throughout the United States.
• Secures a lender's interest by:
• Preparing and coordinating a U.S. Coast Guard preferred marine mortgage
• Ensuring appropriate legal ownership on a state title or registration
• Filing a Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) statement with the relevant state agency

Lienholder reconveyance

• Researches current ownership to identify any recorded lienholders associated with the vessel.
• Drafts the necessary release documents.
• Oversees settlement of the existing lien.
• Submits required reconveyance paperwork to the relevant agencies and lenders.

Settlement services

• Provides professional assistance for gathering and disbursing sale proceeds for the transaction.
• Oversees collection and disbursement of:
• Buyer funds
• Lender financing
• Recorded taxes
• Lien payoffs
• Commission payments
• Seller proceeds
• Obtains a bill of sale from the seller that insures title and ownership for the buyer.
• Remits all funds promptly to the appropriate parties and governmental agencies.

Typical clients

Pacific Maritime Title serves a range of maritime clients, including:

• Buyers and sellers of vessels
• Brokers and dealers
• Lenders and lending brokers
• Attorneys and other maritime industry professionals, particularly across the Pacific Northwest

Research and information gathering

• The Title Agent researches the vessel with the appropriate state, federal, and, when necessary, international agencies.
• The team sends questionnaires to all parties involved to gather relevant information, including:
• Buyer's Questionnaire
• Seller's Questionnaire

Document preparation and coordination

• After understanding the file, the Title Agent collaborates with any brokers, lenders, and lienholders involved in the transaction.
• The Title Agent prepares all relevant documents needed to complete the sale and required filings.

Funding the transaction and filing documents

• Once all required documents are received:
• Pacific Maritime Title funds the transaction.
• Final copies of documents are sent to the appropriate parties.
• The team files the documents with all relevant agencies and lenders.

After closing

• When Certificates of Documentation, registrations, and/or titles are received:
• The Title Agent confirms their accuracy.
• Issued certificates and registrations are mailed to the customer.

How to help expedite a closing

While some external factors can prevent a file from closing on an expedited basis, customers can help speed up the process by:

• Completing and submitting a Service Order.
• Completing the Buyer's Questionnaire and Seller's Questionnaire in full.
• Returning the completed forms to info@pmtitle.com.

Pacific Maritime Title cannot facilitate every expedited closing because circumstances vary from file to file.

Guides and resources

Pacific Maritime Title provides additional written resources to help customers understand the process, including:

• A "What to Expect" guide describing the steps in a transaction with the office.
• A detailed resource for buyers outlining the roles of all parties involved and how they work together to complete a vessel transaction.

Office location

• Address:

655 NE Northlake Way Seattle, WA 98105

Opening hours

• Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
• Saturday: Closed
• Sunday: Closed

How to get in touch and start a file

• Call during office hours or email anytime.
• Customers can start the vessel buying or selling process by opening a file through the "Open a File" / "Open a New File" option on the website or by contacting the office.

Newsletter

• Pacific Maritime Title offers a quarterly email newsletter that customers can subscribe to via the website.

Leadership

• Kim George – Manager
• Long-term experience in vessel titling and documentation.
• Known for exceptional customer service and extensive knowledge of state and federal vessel titling regulations.
• Handles complex title challenges and supports clients through intricate transactions.

• Tanya Lage – Manager
• Extensive background in marine title services and vessel industry roles.
• Experience in organizing and directing major on-the-water boat shows in the Pacific Northwest.
• Recognized for strong communication skills and commitment to smooth, successful deals.

Title, records, and client support roles

• Title Agents (including team members such as Haile Reeff and others):
• Research vessel title and registration.
• Prepare and coordinate documentation.
• Guide buyers, sellers, brokers, and lenders through title transfers and registration requirements.

• Records Manager – Mason Christianson
• Oversees organization, storage, and retrieval of vessel transaction records.
• Implements and maintains systems to improve efficiency and accuracy in record-keeping.

• Receptionists and client service staff (including team members such as Cindy Gagner and Monica Longacre):
• Serve as the first point of contact for clients and visitors.
• Coordinate communication, scheduling, and general client support.
• Help create a welcoming and professional experience for clients.

Technology and systems

• IT Manager – Joe George
• Manages technology infrastructure for Pacific Maritime Title.
• Has redesigned and optimized internal systems for titling procedures and internal forms.
• Supports faster, more accurate research and document preparation for title agents.

Office mascot

• CJ – Office mascot and "Chief Happiness Officer"
• A small, energetic dog who helps maintain a positive office atmosphere and morale.

How the team works with clients

• The team collaborates closely with buyers, sellers, brokers, dealers, lenders, and attorneys.
• They emphasize clear communication, attention to detail, and proactive problem-solving to keep transactions moving smoothly from start to finish.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.