• Ships which fly the Red Ensign are entitled to the support of British Consular and High Commission and Royal Naval protection
• Registered ownership is permitted to citizens and companies registered in the U.K. and all British Territories
• Certificate is recognized worldwide
• Low initial registration fee
• Facilitates the registration of mortgages, change/transfer of ownership
• BVI is the yachting Mecca of the Caribbean, equipped with state of the art facilities, berths, accommodation and services for you and your vessel
• The BVI is recognized as a reputable offshore financial center leading the world in company formation and service
• Political stability in the BVI

For the BVI yacht registration we'd suggest first to incorporate a BVI IBC with nominee directors for this purpose, then to register the yacht in the IBC name, however if you wish to own the yacht in the name of the BVI IBC, you must be advised that he will not be able to charter the vessel to persons resident in the BVI. 
Following is information on the subject of yacht registration in the BVI:

NOTE: During the registration process, we suggest that a representative of our office in the British Virgin Islands be appointed a director or power of attorney holder of the British Virgin Islands company so that the beneficial owner has the legal capacity to inspect and take possession of the vessel on behalf of the company, in the country where it is lying, while our office has the legal capacity to prepare and file all documentation with the Registrar of Shipping in the British Virgin Islands. Once the registration of the vessel is completed, the representative from our offices will resign as a director or power holder. Neither the vessel nor the beneficial owner need ever visit the British Virgin Islands.

The registration procedure is as follows:

1. Clear the name of the vessel. For this we need:

Proposed name

• Registry where vessel is currently registered or name and address of yard where the vessel is being built

• Name under which vessel is currently registered, if applicable

• Nationality of current registry, if applicable

• Port at which vessel is lying, if applicable

• Approximate tonnage

• Method of Propulsion

• Proposed trade of vessel (pleasure, fishing, etc.)

• Proposed date

Name clearance will be a matter of two to three days.

2. Upon clearing the name we shall need:

a. Original builder's certificate with descriptive details of the vessel and clearly showing the name of the company on whose account the vessel has been built.

b. Notarized bill of sale from last registered owner to present owner, if applicable.

c. Notarized bill of sale from present owner to BVI company.

d. Declaration of Ownership on behalf of Body Corporate (prepared and signed by our representative of the company in the British Virgin Islands).

e. Original ad measurement survey certificate done for British Registration. Qualified organisations for purposes of this survey are:

LLYODS REGISTER OF SHIPPING
AMERICAN BUREAU OF SHIPPING
BUREAU VERITAS
GERMANISSHER LLOYD
NORSKE VERITAS

3. Upon receipt of the ad measurement survey documents, the Registrar of Shipping will issue a Ships Carving and Marking Note. The vessel must then be inspected by any of the following officials:

1. A British Department of Trade and Industry official
2. A Lloyds Register of Shipping Surveyor
3. An Officer of the British Customs and Excise not below the rank of Assistance Officer.
4. A British Consul or Vice Consul

who will complete and sign the certificate and return it to the company for filing with the Registrar of Shipping. Registration documents will then be issued.

4. In the case of a boat that has been registered at a British Port the only documents required are as follows:

1. Close Transcript from the current Port of Registry
2. Power of Attorney authorizing one of our office staff to register the boat
3. Bill of Sale

We can also arrange for marine telecommunications operating licence(s) and ships station licences if requested.

Concerning the temporary authorisation to use a British flag, once the ad measurement survey is completed, the Registrar of Shipping may issue a provisional certificate of registration ("Terminable Certificate") upon request.

5. Cost

One time co ordination of vessel registration US$ 2,000
+ BVI company (from $999) check details here
Annual vessel licence fee 180.00
Annual registration fee 100.00

The foregoing includes government charges. Out of pocket expenses, courier costs and extensive telephone/fax communications may be additional.

6. Timing. The complete process, assuming that documents are readily provided in good order, should take approximately one month.

7. The owner of the vessel must be a BVI company.

8. The vessel may not exceed 500 tons.

Through the formation of a British Virgin Islands IBC, any boat, irrespective of the nationality of the maker or owner, may be registered on the beautiful island of Tortola. The BVI IBC which will own the boat may either have the true owner officially registered as both a Director and Shareholder of the company or, for maximum privacy and confidentiality, the company may be registered with a Corporate Nominee Director and issued with Bearer Shares.

Where the latter option is chosen, the true owner's name does NOT appear in any official documentation yet he may still retain full management of the company and any corporate bank accounts, offshore or otherwise, by way of a Power of Attorney which is provided.

Delaware Yacht Registration

To register your boat in Delaware, you must incorporate a Delaware LLC first. Check here details.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES FOR BOATS:

1. State of Delaware Boat Registration - our fee - $335.00

State fee - The vessel registration fee will depend upon the length of the vessel and whether the client would like a 1 year or 3 year registration.

2. Federal Documentation - $350.00 

3. First Preferred Ship's Mortgage -$125.00

When a vessel is registered with the State of Delaware they will provide the client with the decals for the boat, the registration card, and a computer printout of the registration. For some of our foreign clients we can provide them with a Certificate of Vessel Registration which is a document we prepare with information regarding the boat and it is then notarized. We can not provide power of attorney services nor can bearer shares be issued.

Procedure:
You need to fill this form, and mail it to our Delaware office, with the original bill of sale of the boat (which will be kept by the state registry).
(you'll need adobe acrobat reader to view the file.)

 to order

FIND/BUY RELATED BOOKS!

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the details contained herein are correct and up-to-date, it does not constitute legal or other professional advice. We do not accept any responsibility, legal or otherwise, for any errors or omissions.

Please go to our Uses of offshore Companies Page where you will find interesting information on the benefits of using offshore companies and trusts for business and personal use, links to information on other locations and details of our products and services.

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