Yacht Registration

Advantages include:

  • Registered ownership is permitted to citizens and companies registered in the U.K and all British Territories
  • Certificate is recognised worldwide
  • There are NO annual tonnage fees
  • Low initial registration fee
  • Facilitates the registration of mortgages, change/transfer of ownership
  • The BVI is recognised as a reputable offshore financial centre leading the world in company formation and service.

The registration procedure is as follows:

1. Clear the name of the vessel. For this we need: Proposed name

  • Registry where vessel is currently registered or name and address of yard where the vessel is being built
  • Name under which vessel is currently registered, if applicable
  • Nationality of current registry, if applicable
  • Port at which vessel is lying, if applicable
  • Approximate tonnage
  • Method of Propulsion
  • Proposed trade of vessel (pleasure, fishing, etc.)
  • Proposed date Name clearance will be a matter of two to three days.

2. Upon clearing the name we shall need:

a. Original builder's certificate with descriptive details of the vessel and clearly showing the name of the company on whose account the vessel has been built.
b. Notarized bill of sale from last registered owner to present owner, if applicable.
c. Notarized bill of sale from present owner to BVI Company.
d. Declaration of Ownership on behalf of Body Corporate (prepared and signed by our representative of the company in the British Virgin Islands).
e. Original ad measurement survey certificate done for British Registration. Qualified organisations for purposes of this survey are:

LLYODS REGISTER OF SHIPPING
AMERICAN BUREAU OF SHIPPING
BUREAU VERITAS
GERMANISSHER LLOYD
NORSKE VERITAS

3. Upon receipt of the ad measurement survey documents, the Registrar of Shipping will issue a Ships Carving and Marking Note. The vessel must then be inspected by any of the following officials:

  1. A British Department of Trade and Industry official
  2. A Lloyds Register of Shipping Surveyor
  3. An Officer of the British Customs and Excise not below the rank of Assistance Officer.
  4. A British Consul or Vice Consul who will complete and sign the certificate and return it to the company for filing with the Registrar of Shipping. Registration documents will then be issued.

4. In the case of a boat that has been registered at a British Port the only documents required are as follows:

  1. Close Transcript from the current Port of Registry
  2. Power of Attorney authorising one of our staff to register the boat
  3. Bill of Sale

We can also arrange for marine telecommunications operating licence(s) and ships station licences if requested. Concerning the temporary authorisation to use a British flag, once the ad measurement survey is completed, the Registrar of Shipping may issue a provisional certificate of registration ("Terminable Certificate") upon request.

5. Fees One time co ordination of vessel registration BVI company Annual vessel licence fee Annual registration fee This includes government charges. Out of pocket expenses, courier costs and extensive telephone/fax communications may be additional.

6. Timing. The complete process, assuming that documents are readily provided in good order, should take approximately one month.

7. The owner of the vessel must be a BVI company.

8. The vessel may not exceed 500 tons.