Registering an abandoned boat uksr

[Jorge Matos]

As I understand it, Portuguese law forbids yards selling boats dumped there by owners. You are Portuguese? If so you know the law better than me. in the uk if the owner doesnt pay for storage, the yard can take over the boat after a while and sell it. Go and ask the GNR what they think?
Could be interesting.

Thank you Mr Beneteau. I'm new at yachting so don't no the lwas yet, but I will check. Thank you.
Btw, the abandoned d yacht is a 1986 Beneteau Oceanis

 

[Jorge Matos]

Can't say with certainty what the law is in Portugal but in the UK there is a process where the boatyard can go to court and get a court order for possession of the boat on its premises. Once it gets this (which is not easy or cheap) it has clear title to sell the boat. This happens rarely as more often the yard gets the owner to transfer title to them in lieu of unpaid storage fees and then sells or scraps the boat.

I suspect of more concern in Portugal is whether you can actually register the boat for use without any paperwork. I suggest you pursue this before spending money on the registry transcript which will only tell you the last registered owner and the boat may well have changed hands without changing the registration.

In general abandoned boats are best left abandoned!

Thank you Tranona. I will contact local authorities to find out if I can register the boat without paperwork.
So, you are saying that I should not pursue this boat project and buy a newer one instead?

 

[Tranona]

Thank you Tranona. I will contact local authorities to find out if I can register the boat without paperwork.
So, you are saying that I should not pursue this boat project and buy a newer one instead?

Generally speaking buying an old abandoned boat is not a good idea. A new boat of that size and type would cost £200k+ and parts and materials to refurbish it will cost in relation to that. For example a suit of sails will be £5k, new rigging much the same. Plus a boat sitting out in the sun for years will suffer degradation both inside and out. The amount of work involved in making sure everything works - electrics, engine, domestic systems, electronics is far more than you can ever imagine. The yard should pay you to take it away as it really has no value except in breaking it up.

A boat like that in usable condition would sell fir around £35k (or Euros)in good condition - much less than it would cost to get an abandoned boat working again up to the same standard.

 

[Refueler]

Thank you Tranona. I will contact local authorities to find out if I can register the boat without paperwork.
So, you are saying that I should not pursue this boat project and buy a newer one instead?

I would hazard a guess that being reg'd in BVI ... that she's a Company Asset .... being BVI would also suggest actual Co. do not wish to be 'identified' ... it is a Tax Haven. The registry of an asset in BVI would create difficulties for anyone trying to contact the real person who owns / controls the asset.

If the transfer of ownership could be made .. I would expect following minimum :

1. Immediate demand for VAT / Duties regardless of condition.
2. Yard fees to be 'nailed' to the mast
3. Depending on condition - removal from yard after fees paid

I'm not so pessimistic as some here .... I know quite a few boats that have been rescued despite apparent condition. But it really is a labour of love and a huge commitment.
It is not always necessary to condemn existing gear or replace with new. It all takes careful inspection / evaluation to come to solutions.
Its not unusual for one problem to lead onto another .....

But before delving further - one of the most important checks to make :

How has the boat been stored ashore and for how long. It is not unknown as a boat continues to stand, ownership in question, yard fees mounting .... for yards to move boat to a corner, be less careful about how its propped up / stood. I have checked long term boats and found keel compression, keel out of alignment etc. from long term standing on keel without correct support. Once this occurs - its extremely difficult to cure.

Buying a 'ready to sail' boat is usually a better option .. less heartache ...

Last point : Depending on Registry, unless similar to Lat Register or UK Pt 1 as example - Register may not state OWNER ... like Cars in UK and UK SSR (Pt 3) - it only states 'Keeper' - with no Ownership title. Therefore careful c heck of wshatever register you are thinking of using ... you may register thinking boat is all yours - then actual owner appears and reclaims his asset.

'Can of worms' comes to mind.

 

[Tranona]

Last point : Depending on Registry, unless similar to Lat Register or UK Pt 1 as example - Register may not state OWNER ... like Cars in UK and UK SSR (Pt 3) - it only states 'Keeper' - with no Ownership title. Therefore careful c heck of wshatever register you are thinking of using ... you may register thinking boat is all yours - then actual owner appears and reclaims his asset.

'Can of worms' comes to mind.

BVI is one of the "Red Ensign" registries and pretty sure like Part 1 is a register of title. However may not be much help as the registered entity is probably an untraceable offshore corporation!

Your last sentence sums it up well.

 

[Refueler]

BVI is one of the "Red Ensign" registries and pretty sure like Part 1 is a register of title. However may not be much help as the registered entity is probably an untraceable offshore corporation!

Your last sentence sums it up well.

Which agrees with my paragraph :

I would hazard a guess that being reg'd in BVI ... that she's a Company Asset .... being BVI would also suggest actual Co. do not wish to be 'identified' ... it is a Tax Haven. The registry of an asset in BVI would create difficulties for anyone trying to contact the real person who owns / controls the asset.

Lets just say that I deal with Offshore Companies daily .... its part and parcel of the International Shipping Trade. Unless you have specific dealings with such Co's - they have no interest to open up info ... even then its strictly limited via Agents / Representatives etc.

 

[Jorge Matos]

Thank you so much for your clear information and help.
The yacht is actually badly stood, on a improvised stood and on a slant. It has been there on the hard for 10 years and I suspect the yard master has been taking things off of her.
Thank for that intel on registry schemes, it´s actually a complex bussiness. I think I´m going to find a yacht in better shape.
I really appreciate your help. I couldn´t have that prompt help here with Portuguese authorities.
Best whiches.