Buying a British registered yacht in Australia

[sauldixon]

Would really appreciate any advice on the purchase of a British yacht by a non-resident British citizen.

Two specific questions come to mind:

Is it possible to keep the yacht on the British SB registry even though i am non resident?

Does the yacht need RCD certification which it currently lacks?

Thanking you all in advance...

Fair winds and health

 

[pelicanpete]

Firstly, make sure that the yacht is properly cleared, duty paid and therefore, legal to sell in Australia. It may be allowed in free of duty but worth checking with the authorities and the owner first.

To register a boat under the SSR you have to be resident in the UK and a British citizen, as I understand it.

The RCD applies to boats registered in Europe only (or EEA=European Economic Area - which includes some countries not yet full members of the EU or, I believe, European Caribbean protectorates). Therefore, RCD not required in other countries of the world.

This is as I understand it and await correction from other forumites. Basically it's our politicians protecting us from ourselves.

 

[GeorgeLlewellin]

To be part I British Registered the vessel has to be owned by a British subject or a British registered company, you could do what you want by forming a British company, maybe in Guernsey. But this is not as easy as it seems at first, consult an expert. If the boat is not worth a large amount of money then it is probably not worth doing. George

 

[Talbot]

Make sure that the yacht has had GST and duty paid on it.(total 15%)

 

[santeana]

Welcome to the forum, Saul. Not quite clear on your circumstances. Is it that you want to import a British registered yacht for use in Australia? Is the vessel already in Aus? Let's assume 'yes' for now and you can correct me if I've misunderstood.

Your first question has been well answered by fellow formulites', above.

As far as RCD is concerned, I don't see why you're worried. It applies within EEA. If your intended vessel was built and in service in EEA prior to 16th June 1998 it would not carry a CE mark, anyway. Almost all yachts after that date, unless self built for own use, would be CE stamped.

I'd have thought your biggest headache would be Australian import restrictions/VAT and the like.

Best wishes (to you personally) but not to your Ashes endeavours!

 

[sauldixon]

Thanks for the replies.

To clarify my situation; the yacht has had duties paid in Australia by the current owner but he has retained British registration of the yacht. I will again be a resident British citizen soon but the yacht will reside in Australia, my intention being not to bring it back to Europe but to leave it in the Pacific for cruising.

In this circumstance with the yacht not being imported to the UK, am i still required to comply with the RCD and any other formalities, and will VAT need to be paid if the vessel is not being used in EEA? I just want to retain British registery for parochial reasons.

RONR: With the current lack of sportmanship within the Australian cricket team they dont deserve the Ashes.

 

[BrendanS]

With that clarification in mind, then

RCD/CE requirements are quite clear, you only need them in EU waters if you keep the boat there for an extended period. If the boat is staying in Australia, then it's not an issue. Same for Vat, it's only payable if you bring the boat back to EU.

If it's Small Ship registered (not quite sure what you mean by SB, but I'm guessing Small Boat, which isn't the exact term used) or otherwise known as Part III registered

The current owner will have to fill in a change of owner form available here online
https://mcanet.mcga.gov.uk/ssr/ssr/notif_owner_1.asp

You will have to fill in a similar form

https://mcanet.mcga.gov.uk/ssr/ssr/change_owner_1.asp

and read these guidance notes and contact them if you unsure if you currently qualify, or maybe soon will
https://mcanet.mcga.gov.uk/ssr/ssr/notes.asp


If it's Part I registered (the current owner should be able to tell you if it's Part I or Part III, or you can just look at the documentation) then start here
http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-the_mc...ish_version.htm

 

[sauldixon]

Thanks for all the replies, the collected advice has been invaluable.

Good health and spirit to you all.