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Yacht Registration in the British Virgin Islands 

Benefits / Requirements / Restrictions / Preliminary Registration

Benefits: 

The advantages of the BVI Ship Registry include the following: 

1. The BVI Registry is a member of the Red Ensign Group, which ensure that ships flying the BVI flag are entitled to British Diplomatic/Consular support and the protection of the Royal Navy.  The BVI has access to the technical expertise of the British Maritime and Coast Guard Agency. 
2. There are low Initial Registration and Annual Maintenance Fees. 
3. The facilities are simple, yet they provide secure registration of yachts, mortgages, and discharge of mortgages.  The change or transfer of ownership or title to the vessel is easily verified with the Registry.   The BVI Registry has a fully computerised Fleet Management System and Database.   
4. Full corporate, legal, and courier services are readily available in the BVI through our office Shirley Trust Company Limited.  We pride ourselves in providing a prompt, courteous and efficient service.  
5. The BVI has the British Judicial System, with political and social stability. 
6. The British Virgin Islands is recognised worldwide as a reputable offshore financial centre, leading the world in company formation and related corporate services.  

Benefits / Requirements / Restrictions / Preliminary Registration

Requirements: 

In order to register a yacht in the B.V.I. it is necessary to provide the Registrar of Shipping with the following documents/information:

1. Name of Ship

2. Name of owner

3. Address of owner

4. Marine survey of vessel by marine surveyor (the surveyor MUST be qualified to provide the survey).  The approved Classification Societies, for the purposes of the Survey/Inspection/Certification for Registration details, Tonnage and requirements of SOLAS, MARPOL and Codes of Practice are: 

   • LR - Lloyds Register of Shipping; 

   • BV - Bureau Veritas; 

   • DNV - Det Norske Veritas; 

   • GL - Germanisher Lloyd; 

   • ABS - American Bureau of Shipping; and 

   • RINA - Registro Italiano Naval. 

5. Builder’s certificate OR Foreign Bill of Sale

6. In the case of a new vessel, name and address of builder and yard number allocated to the vessel

7. Deletion certificate where vessel was previously registered

8. Declaration of Ownership

9. In the case of ownership by a company, Certificate of Incorporation and Memorandum and Articles of Association and Certificate of Good Standing.

10. Appointment of authorized officer

Benefits / Requirements / Restrictions / Preliminary Registration

Restriction - British Subject

Only a vessel owned by a British subject or a BVI corporation is entitled to be registered as a British Ship.

Preliminary Registration

The General Rule is there is no preliminary registration period.  

However, it is possible to obtain a Preliminary Certificate to enable conditional short-term permission to operate vessel after Carving and Marking is issued and before issue of Permanent Certificate of Registry.

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