Under What Flag? Advice Sought.

CodStewart

CodStewart

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Hello dear forumites,
Might be close to getting our dream cruiser. Ferro-cement but a doll.
Now, it's currently under Ozzie registration. I'm a Brit in Japan. Would you recommend registering it under the Union Jack? We will be cruisers for many years. What's the best flag to be under?
Thanks for any help here.
Ja ne.
 
I am very interested in this statement!

I live in Germany, where my Etap is registered, but despite marrying one and generally liking them and their country I still balk (sp?) at flying that flag /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I think the Wasserschutzpolizei are hot on flag flying, so I hope you are right, but I have been told otherwise!
 
You can register a vessel in almost any country, but you either need to be a resident or to be a majority share holder of a company registered there. As far as I understand it, its a tax status issue, which is why it needs to be a company if its not where you pay your taxes as an individual.
I looked into registering a yacht of mine in one of the caribbean islands, in the end it never happened as the boat came back here.
 
Your obliged to fly the flag of the country where the boat is registered is my understanding.
Mike
 
The rules for transferring Australian registration are on www.amsa.gov.au - buyer must be be Aust citizen or resident. Registration on the UK's small ships register is probably cheaper than transferring Australian registration anyway.
 
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Your obliged to fly the flag of the country where the boat is registered is my understanding.
Mike

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I also understand this is correct. I am a dual nationality Brit / Oz living in the UK and loved to sail under the Ozzie Ensign. Whilst never having anyone offical question this in 4 years cruising home and overseas waters - I was advised one month ago via this board that I was committing an offense under both UK and Oz Maritime Law - with severe penalties - as the boat is UK registered. The guy giving the advice certainly sounded like he knew his subject so I gave instant consideration to changing over to the UK ensign.

Still considering.

JOHN
 
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Your obliged to fly the flag of the country where the boat is registered is my understanding.
Mike

[/ QUOTE ]

I also understand this is correct. I am a dual nationality Brit / Oz living in the UK and loved to sail under the Ozzie Ensign. Whilst never having anyone offical question this in 4 years cruising home and overseas waters - I was advised one month ago via this board that I was committing an offense under both UK and Oz Maritime Law - with severe penalties - as the boat is UK registered. The guy giving the advice certainly sounded like he knew his subject so I gave instant consideration to changing over to the UK ensign.

Still considering.

JOHN

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I think you have answered your own question "never having anyone offical question this in 4 years "

Might technically be against some law or other because in this Land Fit For Lawyers most things seem to be. But anybody taking any notice is an altogether different issue. After all, most UK boats fly no ensign at all.

I've flown the Welsh flag as an ensign both home and abroad, and never had a comment.
 
Make up your own flag. There is absolutly no requirement to fly any national flag and no one gives a shite. When out in the real world you will see some fly some dont avoid the flyers it is a signal to gather avoid these gatherings.
 
Flag of its registered country

SSR in UK = UK Ensign

French registration = French Flag

etc.

NEVER seen any rule stating Country of OWNER !!! If that was true then 99% of Merchant Ships would be flying wrong enisgns !!

The only time I could ever imagine flag of the owner - is when the boat is not registered - which in most countries now is not allowed ... most countries require registration and inspection of the boat etc.

So going back to original post it would appear that Oz ensign is correct till boat registration is changed ....
 
Das Boot - technically you are wrong

Whether a flag is physicaly flown is tottaly irrelevant. The Rule is Country of Boat Registration. Flying a flag of your own design can be done from a flag halyard on mast but NOT from an Ensign staff on the stern or Jack. That is the rule - silly or not - that is it.

There are all-sorts of local 'understandings' or rules ... such as one club I belonged to insisted that ALL boats racing in club do's should NOT fly ensigns, another Club I was in said yes fly it .... so ????
 
The usual registration in Oz is for pleasure boats issued by each state virtually as a money raising exercise. Just pay your money fill out transfer form and away you go however... That registration is worthless in international terms. If the boat is registered on the Australian international or ship register then that is a real international type register. this may have conditions or residency etc. it is a big deal and not so friendly toward yachts simply because not many Oz yachts go international.
So if the boat is in Oz then a transfer of international reg if possible would be easiest at least to get the boat to where you want to register it. If however you can get another country registration while it is in Oz then that would be fine. good luck olewill
 
Re: Flag of its registered country

Thanks for all the advice. I think I might have confused both myself and others. My question was more about where to register the boat. Being British but with no ties nor interests in the UK, and having lived in Japan for many years, and planning to cruise for a few years in Asia, I was wondering under which country to register the vessel.
I'm a beginner and your advice is gratefully read and received.
Thanks
 
Re: Flag of its registered country

Just a thought but.......

You could try Turkey.

I've no idea what's involved but if they do become an EU member you will get an exemption from V.A.T. Just in case you do fancy cruising in the EU.

Dave.
 
Re: Flag of its registered country

Some countries (France for example) have a requirement that anyone resident there who keeps a boat there must register it there. Dont know about Japan, but thats the first thing to check - do you have an option or must it be Jap registered.
 
Re: Flag of its registered country

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Some countries (France for example) have a requirement that anyone resident there who keeps a boat there must register it there. Dont know about Japan, but thats the first thing to check - do you have an option or must it be Jap registered.

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I think that's wrong. Ask Sybarite for example who was originally unable to register his boat in France ("Francisation") because he's not French even though he's resident there. But with EU harmonisation the French nowadays do ALLOW you to register there IF you're an EU citizen AND you're resident there.

You may be thinking of the need to obtain a certificate of compliance with the French navigation rules called a "passeport", but that has nothing to do with registration of the boat for flag purposes.
 
Re: Flag of its registered country

Jack Daniels is registered in Japan.
My skipper did some research last night. Croatia and Panama came up as good places to register boats with.
Will keep you posted.
Ja ne.
 
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