Registering a boat in Ireland?

[colind3782]

For any Irish forumites.

As the unofficial Irish "SSR" is no longer available and, as I understand it, yachts must be registered as "ships" with all the associated palaver, what do Irish boaters do at the moment to be registered?

 

[macd]

Can't speak as an Irishman, but we sometimes encounter them flying red ensigns. A couple we met the other week (in the Aegean) occasionally treat their flagstaff to a Royal Cork ensign when no-one (official) is looking. Think they were officially on UK Part 1.

I would imagine, but don't know, that an Irish leisure boat confining itself to UK and Irish waters could properly use the tricolour without formal registration, just as unregistered UK boats can use the red. (Under Common Travel Area regulations, which may or may not survive Brexit.)

 

[colind3782]

That's what I'm thinking about. At present my boat lives in Spain on the SSR. However, I do have an Irish passport so I was wondering how to get it under an Irish flag so to be unaffected by any potential Brexit problems.

 

[langstonelayabout]

That's what I'm thinking about. At present my boat lives in Spain on the SSR. However, I do have an Irish passport so I was wondering how to get it under an Irish flag so to be unaffected by any potential Brexit problems.

But surely you've been resident here in the UK for more than 184 days in the last calendar year? (We've all seen you...) lol

 

[macd]

That's what I'm thinking about. At present my boat lives in Spain on the SSR. However, I do have an Irish passport so I was wondering how to get it under an Irish flag so to be unaffected by any potential Brexit problems.

What matters most so far as EU VAT rules are concerned is where you are normally resident* not nationality or state of registry. But post-Brexit, an Irish passport/Irish registry combination is certainly less likely to raise any questions. (In a decade afloat, mainly in the Med, I've never once been asked by officials for evidence of residence -- or VAT, come to that.) Of course it remains to be seen how the VAT issue will be dealt with after Brexit. Given your circumstances, I suspect there's no need to rush to any counter-measures.

* To be clear, I'm adressing a case where a boat is already owned by you and already legitimate in the EU as currently constituted. If a boat is sold, the place of sale is of course also crucial.

 

[colind3782]

She was built in 1988 so VAT not really an issue. I just want to keep her in Spain (EU) without having to move periodically.

But back to the original question. What do the Irish do?

 

[Tranona]

1988 is an issue if the boat was bought in the UK. The year when it may cease to be an issue is 1986. Even if you register it in Eire it would still be a UK boat for VAT purposes.

 

[macd]

She was built in 1988 so VAT not really an issue.

But it is, and could be. Not one prone to regular policing, certainly, but a live issue.

P.S. Apologies if telling grannie, etc, but is the boat matriculated (or whatever the word is), in Spain? Apparently this is a simple and cheap process, does not demand change of registry, and could (repeat 'could'), render her credentials sound whatever happens with Brexit transitional arrangements. This is not an issue with which I'm personally familiar, but it may be worth your exploring. It's popped up in plenty of threads so may be worth a search.

 

[lpdsn]

SCR has gone. It was always a bit wooly anyway.

So to register under the Irish Flag you'd need the equivalent of Part 1. Not cheap. I don't actually know anyone who has been through the process. A few yachts register on the UK SSR or UK part 1.

Also bear in mind that if you register in Ireland you'll need an Irish ships radio licence and SRC. The latter is a 3 days course costing a few hundred Euros.

 

[colind3782]

SCR has gone. It was always a bit wooly anyway.

So to register under the Irish Flag you'd need the equivalent of Part 1. Not cheap. I don't actually know anyone who has been through the process. A few yachts register on the UK SSR or UK part 1.

Also bear in mind that if you register in Ireland you'll need an Irish ships radio licence and SRC. The latter is a 3 days course costing a few hundred Euros.

Thanks.

 

[jim5099]

We registered our yacht in Ireland in 2012. As we are resident in Ireland, etc. this was obvious enough. Firstly contact the ships registration office in D2 who will give you a list of the requirements. (They don't always answer the phone first time around). Tell them from the start that it's a yacht, even though the process is the same as if for a ship. You will need the original boat builders certificate, the first and every subsequent bill of sale for Revenue purposes. Once you clear the paperwork, it's straightforward enough although they will also insist on a survey at your expense to survey and also to calculate the tonnage (load capacity) by an approved surveyor. All the paperwork then goes to the Revenue who issue you with the final registration document which must be signed by the owner(s) and contains your new ships number.
The ships number must be engraved (carved) into a bulkhead and/or affixed in a way that cannot be altered or removed.
The boat must then be surveyed again for final verification that ships name, number and port of registry are all in accordance with the formal document.
It takes a number of months, is not expensive , is an interesting insight into maritime affairs and you get a nice formal parchment at the finish.
Hope this is useful.

 

[colind3782]

Thanks for that. It could be tricky getting the historical paperwork though. The boat is a Furia and they went bust in 1992. It was on the Spanish register when I bought it and I think I have most of the previous owners' details but not the builders cert. That's one of the reasons I used the SSR and not Part 1. It might be easier to put it back on the Spanish register using a nominee resident.

 

[Tranona]

Thanks for that. It could be tricky getting the historical paperwork though. The boat is a Furia and they went bust in 1992. It was on the Spanish register when I bought it and I think I have most of the previous owners' details but not the builders cert. That's one of the reasons I used the SSR and not Part 1. It might be easier to put it back on the Spanish register using a nominee resident.

Really are not sure why you are worried about registration, as it has no impact on VAT status. Presumably you have the deregistration document from the Spanish registry which will enable you to trace the original registration, which is proof of VAT payment - a boat could not be registered in Spain without this.

Relax and enjoy your boat. Wait until the Brexit process is finished and then see if you have to do anything. There is nothing you can do in advance because your boat is perfectly legal, and it is a Spanish VAT paid boat so it will remain free to stay in the EU. You are in a much better position potentially than others who have boats in Spain on which the VAT was paid in UK.

 

[colind3782]

Really are not sure why you are worried about registration, as it has no impact on VAT status. Presumably you have the deregistration document from the Spanish registry which will enable you to trace the original registration, which is proof of VAT payment - a boat could not be registered in Spain without this.

Relax and enjoy your boat. Wait until the Brexit process is finished and then see if you have to do anything. There is nothing you can do in advance because your boat is perfectly legal, and it is a Spanish VAT paid boat so it will remain free to stay in the EU. You are in a much better position potentially than others who have boats in Spain on which the VAT was paid in UK.

That is true, as it was on the Spanish Lista 7, like Part 1. I'll put my paranoia on the back burner for now, even if they are out to get me!