Belgian flag used by Spanish yachts

W

Wansworth

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 May 2003
Messages
38,575
Location
SPAIN,Galicia
Visit site
Caught on the news today that some Spanish yachts are registering under the Belgian flag as it’s easier and cheaper,do the skippers then need Belgian certificates or what?
 
Lots of EU owners (especially Italians) use Dutch/Belgian registration: their own various systems are so complex and convoluted that it is easier and cheaper. Those who think a state-run compulsory registration/licensing system might be a good idea should talk to Italian boat owners....
 
Yes, the Spanish system is particularly onerous and expensive. expect the increase in the use of belgian registration is because it is getting more difficult to use the British SSR as the residency requirements are being more rigorously enforced.
 
I believe the answer to the question is no. They don’t need Belgian certificates of competency. Any internationally recognised cert will do.
 
What is now Belgium was the Spanish Netherlands, so perhaps they are going for historical accuracy.

Lots of French glider owners register their gliders in Belgium (or at least did; I may be out of date) because the French rules are (were) absurdly onerous.
 
Last edited:
JumbleDuck said:
What is now Belgium was the Spanish Netherlands, so perhaps they are going for historical accuracy.

Lots of French glider owners register their gliders in France (or at least did; I may be out of date) because the French rules are (were) absurdly onerous.
Click to expand...

I presume you mean Belgium.

A few years ago the French specifically banned French residents from registering their boats in other countries.
 
Wansworth said:
Caught on the news today that some Spanish yachts are registering under the Belgian flag as it’s easier and cheaper,do the skippers then need Belgian certificates or what?
Click to expand...


In Belgium there are no compulsory certificates for maritime navigation under sail (like in France, and opposed to what happens in Spain, Italy, etc).
Local laws can modify the attractiveness of foreign flags, examples:
1. In France, if you are a resident you may sail under other EU flags but you must abide by French regulations (essentially safety items), you are also subject to DAFN the annual tax, for foreign flags it is called "droit de passeport" but it s the same thing.
2. In Italy, if you are a resident you may sail under foreign flags but you must have the appropriate Italian certificate of competence, and you must declare on your tax statement that you own the boat.
...
 
I asked a Spanish guy why his boat was registered in Belgium. He told me that it was ok to be Spanish registered for a boats first three years but then he would have to shell out loads of money for surveys and if it failed on any small point pay the full amount again for re survey.
 
Pn addition to the survey requirements and certification of the skipper, boats are restricted in how far they can sail from land according to their classification.
 
Tranona said:
Yes, the Spanish system is particularly onerous and expensive. expect the increase in the use of belgian registration is because it is getting more difficult to use the British SSR as the residency requirements are being more rigorously enforced.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately still a lot of "foreigners", who have no personal UK residence are British flagged. Increasingly, many Portuguese are flagging in Begium, Holland and Germany, to avoid regs. here.
 
Wansworth said:
Caught on the news today that some Spanish yachts are registering under the Belgian flag as it’s easier and cheaper,do the skippers then need Belgian certificates or what?
Click to expand...

I researched the topic quite a bit, since not being British citizen/resident, I have difficulties to get an ICC.

Spanish law requires a certification which corresponds to the citizenship or residence of the skipper, see Royal Decree 875/2014. I don't know if it is enforced, my sailing instructor in Spain said the coastguard is happy with an ICC (which isn't mentioned at all in the law, since Spain haven't signed the UNECE-40 resolution).

Besides, if on an innocent passage (I don't know if a quick stop for an ARC counts as such) the rules of the flag state count.
 
Last edited:
seadog30 said:
I thought the point of the EU was to have common rules and regs ???????

Confused !!!
Click to expand...

None of this is anything to do with the EU. Ships registration and licencing are the responsibility of each individual state (whether in the EU or not) and covered by international law and conventions.

The only things relevant to leisure craft from the EU are common standards of construction of new boats (the RCD - and this is EEA rather than EU) and VAT rules.
 
GTom said:
I researched the topic quite a bit, since not being British citizen/resident, I have difficulties to get an ICC.

Spanish law requires a certification which corresponds to the citizenship or residence of the skipper, see Royal Decree 875/2014. I don't know if it is enforced, my sailing instructor in Spain said the coastguard is happy with an ICC (which isn't mentioned at all in the law, since Spain haven't signed the UNECE-40 resolution).

Besides, if on an innocent passage (I don't know if a quick stop for an ARC counts as such) the rules of the flag state count.
Click to expand...

IIRC innocent passage only holds if one does not make a port call.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

P
Essential pre purchase or even pre survey checks
2
Replies
28
Views
910
Refueler
Refueler
Canopy Locked
Transom strength
Replies
10
Views
381
Canopy Locked
Canopy Locked
Bouba
Keeping warm in bed on these cold nights
2
Replies
25
Views
698
Mr Googler
Mr Googler
R
My boat trip hopefully in May Around Scotland
2 3 4
Replies
65
Views
2K
RobBradley
R

Share this page

Top