Coast Guard selling data?

[captkev]

I recently googled my boat name and in the results there was a link to a site called "Boatinfoworld" that had my name, boat name, model, year, make, size, weight, location, and for the cost of the membership one of their members could have my CG documentation number and hull ID along with my home address and the hailing port. The only way that this site could procure that information is from the Coast Guard's documentation database as my boat is federally registered and all of that data is on the documentation paperwork. On the surface it would appear that the Coast Guard is selling personal data if this outside party has it subsequent to providing it to the Coast Guard. Does anyone have any input or info on this site? Any thoughts to the legality? Does this fall under the Freedom of Information act?

CaptKev

[amarshall]

I use boatinfoworld once a week.

My guess is that all federally registered boats are public domain data.

[aloop]

I bookmarked another website that's better than boatinfoworld, anyone can use to find more info along with previous boat owners and boat names, and it's free.

[Avenger]

It's public record. No fees required:

http://www.st.nmfs.gov/st1/CoastGuard/VesselByName.html

Welcome to the "information" age.

[lowlands]

These types of public records have always been available to the public. You used to have visit a specific office or send a letter with the request, so availability was limited.

Then came the tubes of the internets.

Now, it's all available via google. You used to be able to get someones name address and even soc number (if they used as their state license number, the default) just from their license plate. After a few stalking incidents they restricted dmv records, but lots of others are still open.

The gubberment isn't selling, they are giving it away. Aggregators sell it bundled with other data.

Privacy is an illusion. The best you can achieve is anonymity, and even that is fleeting.