Where to register/flag my sailboat?

[Craigie]

Has anyone found a cheap and easy way to register/flag a boat solely for the purpose of clearing in and out while cruising.
I've been sailing a small boat with a state registration in the USA for a few years. I recently bought another boat in the US which was Coast Guard documented that I'd like to sail out of the US. As a South African my options seem pretty limited.
USCG is only available for US citizens.
I was keen on UK part 3 registration, but I no longer live there and that now requires proof of residency such as utility bills or NHS reg.
UK part 1 is open to commonwealth , but requires that I set up and maintain a company, have a local representative and do a tonnage survey by a UK approved surveyor. All of which add up to more pounds than I want to spend on paperwork for a small boat.
I've seen some online companies in the Caribbean that specialize in registering yachts for flags of convenience, but they seem to cater mostly for super yachts with big $. I'm looking for cheap paper (single ply).

 

[Refueler]

I will watch this thread with great interest as you have a particular twist of factors making it not such an easy matter ...

As you say Pt3 requires bills - that was why mine stopped ...

Pt1 is not really viable for many - despite its recc'd by some.

The common Polish / Swedish / Irish etc. are good if EU / UK ....

I would be looking at US more closely ... USA has some 'hidden' doors .. especially when looking at States .. instead of USA as a whole.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Some fellow South Africans have flagged their vessel in Poland.

Polish Flag Registration €395

Done once and no 5 year renewal

Mine is registered in South Africa but needs to be inspected yearly and renewed every 5 years.

I have also seen registration in the Cook Islands

 

[Stingo]

I will watch this thread with great interest as you have a particular twist of factors making it not such an easy matter ...

As you say Pt3 requires bills - that was why mine stopped ...

Pt1 is not really viable for many - despite its recc'd by some.

The common Polish / Swedish / Irish etc. are good if EU / UK ....

I would be looking at US more closely ... USA has some 'hidden' doors .. especially when looking at States .. instead of USA as a whole.

I'm under the impression that Delaware is one such state. South African friends of mine had their BVI based charter catamaran registered there.

 

[Stingo]

Lots of info in this thread 'Registration advice please' Registration advice please

 

[Chiara’s slave]

A flag of convenience…. How about Liberia?

 

[rogerthebodger]

A flag of convenience…. How about Liberia?

Or Belise

but you need to look at total cost some have extra unpublished costs

 

[Craigie]

Thanks for the response.
The logistics of registering in South Africa is just too onerous. The boat has to sail to SA, be imported and surveyed or a surveyor must fly to the boat at owners expense. Plus there's the annual inspection. The authorities seem to want to deter SA sailboat registration. Not sure why as many boats are manufactured in SA and registrations would make a good revenue stream.
I've heard of boats with state registration cruising parts of the Eastern Caribbean, also Mexico and Bahamas, without too much trouble. But that was some time ago. ST. Martin is an easy D.I.Y. computer check in, but some of the other island officials can be difficult if your paperwork is not in order and may fine or impound the boat.
Delaware has been a popular option, but is no longer recognized in some places such as EU and the DE state is asking for proof that the vessel is being used in Delaware for at least part of the year before renewing registrations.

 

[PaulRainbow]

UK part 1 is open to commonwealth , but requires that I set up and maintain a company, have a local representative and do a tonnage survey by a UK approved surveyor.

The tonnage survey is correct, the rest is incorrect, there is no requirement to set up a company.

 

[Refueler]

Some fellow South Africans have flagged their vessel in Poland.

Polish Flag Registration €395

Done once and no 5 year renewal

Mine is registered in South Africa but needs to be inspected yearly and renewed every 5 years.

I have also seen registration in the Cook Islands

Polish ? maybe fine ... but it remains to be seen what local limitations "Craigie" has where he wants to keep the boat.

I looked at Polish and turned away from it for my latest boat ... put her under Swedish Flag ... easier - no need of Agent ... cheaper .... BUT questionable for such as Craigie ... thats both Polish and Swedish ...

 

[rogerthebodger]

Thanks for the response.
The logistics of registering in South Africa is just too onerous. The boat has to sail to SA, be imported and surveyed or a surveyor must fly to the boat at owners expense. Plus there's the annual inspection. The authorities seem to want to deter SA sailboat registration. Not sure why as many boats are manufactured in SA and registrations would make a good revenue stream.

Totally agree about South Africa Registration but My boat was built by me in South Africa and I am resident in SA.

I am taking legal action against both the authority and one of their agents regarding the payment requirement for inspection which is a requirement in law and their agents breach of consumer protection legislation

The 5 year renewal is about it the vessel is lost or scrapped but the annual inspection in any case confirms the existence of the vessel and no change of ownership so why the renewal every 5 years except a money making exercise

 

[Refueler]

Thanks for the response.
The logistics of registering in South Africa is just too onerous. The boat has to sail to SA, be imported and surveyed or a surveyor must fly to the boat at owners expense. Plus there's the annual inspection. The authorities seem to want to deter SA sailboat registration. Not sure why as many boats are manufactured in SA and registrations would make a good revenue stream.
I've heard of boats with state registration cruising parts of the Eastern Caribbean, also Mexico and Bahamas, without too much trouble. But that was some time ago. ST. Martin is an easy D.I.Y. computer check in, but some of the other island officials can be difficult if your paperwork is not in order and may fine or impound the boat.
Delaware has been a popular option, but is no longer recognized in some places such as EU and the DE state is asking for proof that the vessel is being used in Delaware for at least part of the year before renewing registrations.

Places like Delaware ... Belize .... BVI etc. are black listed financially in EU and various states .... this then overflows into other matters such as equity ... ie boats etc.

Before "experts" jump on me about this ... I actually have first hand experience of this ... which shall go stated but not expanded.

In Commercial Tonnage - there are a many possibilities .. in fact commercially - ships change flag sometimes like underwear depending on market situations ... but for Yachts ??? Yes for large Corporate Yachts - lot of agencies etc. - but for the common man ?? It can be a daunting task.

The question is - What do SA authorities accept / limit as regards keeping a boat there ?? All fine people above saying this - that - but SA is the factor governing this as I see it.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Polish ? maybe fine ... but it remains to be seen what local limitations "Craigie" has where he wants to keep the boat.

I looked at Polish and turned away from it for my latest boat ... put her under Swedish Flag ... easier - no need of Agent ... cheaper .... BUT questionable for such as Craigie ... thats both Polish and Swedish ...

That's interesting as I have a friend who is resident in South Africa and his boat is currently in South Africa who has Polish registration and I have seen his registration card as shown on the Polish registration website.

I do know of some extra requirements re survey if the boat is over 15 meters in length

 

[Refueler]

Totally agree about South Africa Registration but My boat was built by me in South Africa and I am resident in SA.

I am taking legal action against both the authority and one of their agents regarding the payment requirement for inspection which is a requirement in law and their agents breach of consumer protection legislation

The 5 year renewal is about it the vessel is lost or scrapped but the annual inspection in any case confirms the existence of the vessel and no change of ownership so why the renewal every 5 years except a money making exercise

5yrs renewal ?
Annual Inspection ?

Lets compare ....

Sweden : 2yr renewal. With that proof of continued ownership. No inspection unless intended for commercial / rental / school business - then registration refused for non Swedish persons.

Latvia : For personal use only - lifetime registration after full inspection by Govt Ship Inspector. Inspection only required after if any changes to registration factors. If yacht is intended for rental / school / business - then annual full inspection to coded status. Registration renewal annual along with that inspection.

 

[rogerthebodger]

The question is - What do SA authorities accept / limit as regards keeping a boat there ?? All fine people above saying this - that - but SA is the factor governing this as I see it.

I have chapter and verse on South African registration and it is a pain as I know as my boat has been SA registered since 2009 and renewed each 5 years since

Its the annual inspection even for a private non commercial vessel that the pain and costly. On top of he annual inspection the boat must be removed from the water max every 2 years at owner's expense and surveyed at a cost to the owner.

Life raft surveyed by Original supplier , flares and fire extinguishers services annually by authority specified service agent

Some may agree with all this but as I built the foat from a bare hull / superstructure I consider myself as a competent person but the authorities don't so I must pay someone to survey my boat when I know every inch of the boat which the surveyors dont know the boat as well as I do.

 

[Refueler]

That's interesting as I have a friend who is resident in South Africa and his boat is currently in South Africa who has Polish registration and I have seen his registration card as shown on the Polish registration website.

I do know of some extra requirements re survey if the boat is over 15 meters in length

Fine - I never said not possible - I just questioned ... you've answered its possible.

Be interesting to know what limitations your 'friends' have in keeping boat there ?

Over here - non Latvian boats should leave Latvian waters at least once in 6 months ... you can go to Sweden ... Lithuania ... Estonia ... stay in EU if you want ... my 25 was UK registered before and that was required ... boat entered Latvia 2007 after Latvia joined EU.

Next year - warning from Latvian Govt that boats kept here will be required to register under Latvian Flag ... we are still waiting to read the details as its all 'verbal' at present ... maybe it doesn't happen .. maybe it does ... but many boats here are Swedish Flag ... with an odd Polish ...

 

[Refueler]

I have chapter and verse on South African registration and it is a pain as I know as my boat has been SA registered since 2009 and renewed each 5 years since

Fine - I'm not arguing ... just trying to get people to look more deeply than just xxxxx

 

[rogerthebodger]

Fine - I'm not arguing ... just trying to get people to look more deeply than just xxxxx

I agree people must look into all the details as the devil is always in the details.

We has a regulation that requires non registered boats to be "listed" with the authority or one of their agents.

So my friends boat is listed in RSA and registers in Poland. He sals in SA waters under the listing and if going to a foreign country clears out under the Polish registration. Listing is NOT a registration so he does NOT have duel registration so is still legal in SA and Poland

My mobo is listed

These boat are no allowed to go outside the SA terital waters (12nm) but still need to be surveyed every yar and a hull survey every 2 years

As the distance from shore is limited the amount of safety equipment is less but must be onboard

One interesting point is that life jackets must be marked by the supplier with an endorsement of the authority. So life jackets I purchased in the UK are not acceptable eve through they comply with tee ISO and local standards

I have known

 

[Refueler]

Interesting ... here in Latvia - the limitation offshore distance is in the Persons Licence - not the boat registration. Unless its a small boat that is registered via the CSDD (Road Vehicle Test Authority who look after dinghys etc).
Yachts registered here are literally unlimited ...

 

[rogerthebodger]

Interesting ... here in Latvia - the limitation offshore distance is in the Persons Licence - not the boat registration. Unless its a small boat that is registered via the CSDD (Road Vehicle Test Authority who look after dinghys etc).
Yachts registered here are literally unlimited ...

The skipper licence in SA does have a limitation.

Mine is Costal which is defined as 40 nm offshore but the authorities also added that I cannot skipper my boat over boarder even I can do that within 40 nm offshore

If I wish to go further I must either take extra tests or take a qualified skipper