Guernsey Flag - A Guide Yacht Registration in Guernsey
Guernsey's registry offers a smooth and advantageous path to officially registering your vessel. This guide will steer you through the process, ensuring a clear and efficient journey towards registration.
The Guernsey Registry caters to pleasure yachts up to 150 gross tonnage (as as ascertained under the Merchant Shipping (Tonnage) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations 2009), primarily pleasure yachts.
If your yacht is for commercial use and under 24 meters in length, you can register it, too. Be prepared to follow the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency's Code of Practice for Small Commercial Vessels, which includes specific manning requirements. You can find more details about the Code on the MCA website.
Ownership Requirements
To be eligible for registration, a majority of the yacht's shares (at least 33 out of 64) need to be owned by:
- A British subject
- A company registered in, and its main business in, a British Crown Dependency or Overseas Territory.
Foreign nationals can own a minority stake (up to 31 shares), provided the remaining shares are held by "qualified owners." If qualified and unqualified parties jointly own shares, they're considered unqualified.
Registering your vessel under Part I of the Merchant Shipping (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002, offers several advantages, such as establishing your legal title to the yacht, gaining official recognition as a British ship, and allowing you to register mortgages and court orders on your yacht.
Registration
This guide will navigate you through the process, ensuring a smooth journey towards official registration.
Get Your Name Onboard
Before registering, secure your desired yacht name. It must be one-of-a-kind within the Guernsey port, and approval rests with the Registrar. The good news? Your name application remains valid for a year.
Download the "GSR342 Name Proposal (new vessel)" form, complete it thoroughly, and email it to the Registry.
Once your name is approved, it's time to assemble your registration toolkit. Here's what you'll need:
Application to Register: Use form "GC190 Application (new vessel)."
Company Ownership: If your yacht is company-owned, you'll need the "GC193—Appointment of authorised officers" and "GC194—Declaration of Body Corp" forms.
Individual/Joint Ownership: To establish individual or joint ownership, use the "GC195—Declaration individual or joint 2019" form.
Company Incorporation Proof: (For company-owned yachts only) Include a copy of the certificate.
Title Documentation: This comprises the builder's certificate (new vessels) or bills of sale (second-hand). Unsure about a document's acceptability? Consult the Registry for guidance. If buying from a qualified owner (as explained earlier), provide additional bills of sale showcasing an unbroken ownership chain back to a non-qualified owner or the builder's certificate.
Previous Registration: Evidence of deletion or cancellation from any prior British or foreign registration is mandatory.
Tonnage Measurement Survey: Commission this survey immediately after name confirmation. Only qualified surveyors can conduct it; a list is available from the Registry.
Fees
Unlike some registries, Guernsey offers a perk – no annual tonnage tax for British Ships registered there. That means year-round savings for you!
You'll need to pay a fee for the administrative costs of processing your registration. You'll find a detailed breakdown in the "Registry of British Ships Fees" document.
Once your application is approved, the Registry will send you specific instructions on how to mark your yacht. These markings include your official number, tonnage, and vessel name. Make sure to follow these guidelines carefully.
After completing the markings, you'll need to show the Registry you've done it. Here are your options:
- Photographic Proof: Submit photos that meet the Registry's specifications.
- On-Site Inspection: If your yacht is conveniently in Guernsey, schedule an inspection with the Registrar.
Once the Registry verifies your markings, it will finalize your registration and issue your official document—the Certificate of British Registry, also known as the "blue book."
The Registry aims to process your application and documents on the same day. However, the independent tonnage measurement survey can add time to the process. Factor this in to avoid any delays. Most registration forms can be conveniently downloaded from the Registry's website or requested via email. They also have the most commonly used forms readily available online.
With this fee information, you can confidently navigate the Guernsey yacht registration process and prepare for unforgettable maritime adventures!
Need any help with the registration? No worries, we are here to help!
Breaking the Mould Consulting Ltd can help you with Guernsey's entire yacht registration process. We can guide you through the steps, ensure you have all the required documentation, and liaise with the Registry on your behalf. By working with us, you can benefit from our expertise and streamline the yacht registration process, allowing you to focus on preparing for your exciting maritime adventures.
Schedule a call to discuss how we can guide your Superyacht Ownership Journey.
