Major help required

[Jason_242]

Four years ago I passed my RYA Day skipper (Motor boat) and never sent my ICC in I have it here in front of me. At the time we wanted to buy a boat to live on and get lots of experiance etc. We divorced before realizing the dream and what with the cost of seperation etc I'm still a land lubber.
Since then I have been on a few trips as I am very confident with water, boats engines etc. I'm now a qualified dive master and with a lovely lass who shares my dream of living and working on a boat.
Here lies the situation !!! We are buying a boat and will be living on it in the Dominican Republic by May if not sooner, the wheels are in motion the offer has been made on the boat jobs are lined up etc etc
The boat is in Fort Lauderdale and I will sail her to the Dominican with my partner and will also look at getting a crew to help and share costs as it would be like a holiday.
Has anyone any idea if there are any relevant qualifictions needed for me to skipper the boat after the crew has left or like so many people who own boats rely on there experience etc.
I never pursued my dream which began 4 years ago but now I have to do everything yesterday on very little income.
The ICC is for european waters but what about Dominican and primarily Carribean waters?????
Any suggestions or pointers in the right direction greatly appreciated.

Jase and Jan

Since then

 

[dmayes]

If the boat you are buying is registered in the Dominican Republic then you will need to comply with their regulations about licenses etc. If you have a UK registered boat then you don't actually need a license but foreign ports will insist on seeing one, which will be your ICC .

 

[Bajansailor]

I very much doubt that there are any regulations in place in the DR re minimum qualifications for operating a commercial dive boat, or any other small passenger carrying vessel.

I think there are regs in places like the USVI where the minimum would probably be what is known as a USCG '6 pack'.

I don't think that anyone in Authority out here in the Caribbean (except perhaps in the French islands) would know what an ICC is, or care.

The Crats here in Barbados love bureaucracy (after all, we used to be a British colony - nuff said!) and although there are vague rumours about introducing minimum standards for commercial vessel operators, there are no regulations as such (yet).

 

[Lizzie_B]

If you registered the boat as british - which I assume you're enitled to do from your bio, the ICC should be all you need assuming your craft fits in with any endorsments as to size, etc.
The ICC certainly seems to be acceptable all over the US where I sail.

 

[Jason_242]

The boats registered in the states but we will be taking it to the Dom Rep.
Its a Sealine T51 so it should be free of any restrictions due to size and it will also be our main residence.
Can we re register it and since we wouldnt intend on returning to blighty I suppose it would need to be registered on Dom Rep???
My ICC was never applied for although I have the paperwork etc however its a little overdue by about 3 years mm will have to ring them up.

 

[Lizzie_B]

If you have right of residency in the UK you can register it as British on line useing small ships register. Have you completed the purchase yet? You could also be exempt sales tax.

 

[Jason_242]

The boats for sale in the US not the UK and we wont be bringing it to the UK either.
I was aware of VAT implications if the boat is for UK waters but not sale tax???
We have not yet purchased the boat but are waiting for the sales agreement for the deposit. Hopefully that will arrive today to get things moving

 

[Lizzie_B]

Hi Jason. I think you'd better pm me.

I have been through exactly the situation of buying a boat in Florida for use Elsewhere. It is not as simple as it might appear and many american brokers don't understand the rules for selling to a foriegn (non USA citizen) national, which from your bio I assume you to be.
In simple terms
The registration of a pleasure vessel has nothing to do with where you are buying or using it. It is more about citizenship and residency entitlement of the owner.

Buying the boat in Florida you will have to pay Florida sales tax. I think it currently is about 8%.
If you do not intend Florida to be the primary state of use of the boat there are procedures for claiming exemption from paying Florida Sales tax.
Registering the boat as British incurs no liability for VAT and means your ICC will suffice as proof of competency.
There are also other benefits depending on how you intend to use the boat. If you pm me, we can discuss your individual situation in detail.