PuffTheMagicDragon
Well-Known Member
I bought my boat from the widow of an Italian friend. Although the boat was berthed in Malta she was registered under the Italian flag. A condition of the sale was that they take care of all the paperwork required for de-registration, which they did. This took three or four months and necessitated their going several times to Livorno Capitaneria from Rome in person to answer such questions as "Why do you want to de-register?" I have no idea what it cost them but I am sure that it was nowhere near the figure that was mentioned.
I then registered the boat under the Maltese flag.
Reasons for not leaving the boat's registration as it was included the periodic inspections by RINA and their 'safety' requirements, some of which I considered as being lunatic. For example, my Centurion sleeps 6; according to RINA this means that the boat can carry 8 persons, six below plus two on deck. Therefore, the boat had to be equipped with an 8-person liferaft at all times! That liferaft now lives in my garage because I can barely lift it let alone deploy it in an emergency. Berthing fees vary by location and tend to be higher the further North one goes. The days when one could find a quiet spot where to anchor for free are sadly over.
I visit Sicily fairly regularly (under Maltese colours) and I have never had any hassle. I do carry the required Italian translation to show that I am adequately insured against any third party risks/damages/liabilities. This is issued for free by my insurers. It has never been asked of me but I do know of people who were asked to show it. The same applies to a national 'document' (we call it "Nautical Licence") that shows that I am capable of operating and being in command of a boat.
FWIW.
I then registered the boat under the Maltese flag.
Reasons for not leaving the boat's registration as it was included the periodic inspections by RINA and their 'safety' requirements, some of which I considered as being lunatic. For example, my Centurion sleeps 6; according to RINA this means that the boat can carry 8 persons, six below plus two on deck. Therefore, the boat had to be equipped with an 8-person liferaft at all times! That liferaft now lives in my garage because I can barely lift it let alone deploy it in an emergency. Berthing fees vary by location and tend to be higher the further North one goes. The days when one could find a quiet spot where to anchor for free are sadly over.
I visit Sicily fairly regularly (under Maltese colours) and I have never had any hassle. I do carry the required Italian translation to show that I am adequately insured against any third party risks/damages/liabilities. This is issued for free by my insurers. It has never been asked of me but I do know of people who were asked to show it. The same applies to a national 'document' (we call it "Nautical Licence") that shows that I am capable of operating and being in command of a boat.
FWIW.
