Greetings, and WELCOME aboard Ukabroad.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ukabroad
... I am proposing to purchase a yacht that is lying in Bonaire. The Yacht is US flagged so I am assuming that will have to change as I am not a US citizen.
As a UK National I can register the yacht with MCA either Part 1 which is the full blown registration process that gives full proof of ownership etc; or Part 3 (also known as SSR - Small Ships Register)...
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A foreign national cannot own a Federally “Documented” U.S. vessel; but may own a State “Registered”
boat.
According to the “SSR Checklist” UK Ship Register - Small Ships - Guide to Registration
"... A Part III UK Ship Register certificate should be accepted world-wide ...”
The small ships register ( also known as Part III ) is for boats which only want a low cost simple registration, which proves the ships nationality.
It does not register title, so you cannot register a mortgage on the vessel.
The key points of the SSR registration are as follows :
* A small ship is one that is less than 24 metres ( 79 feet )
* Company owned boats, and those over 24 metres cannot be registered
* Available to UK, and EU citizens, ordinarily resident in the UK
* SSR registration lasts 5 years - date of expiry is shown on the ship's certificate. Registration can be renewed 3 months before expiry
* Ships names will not be registered if considered undesirable. All ships must have a name before being registered.
* Ships can only be registered on the Part I or Part III - not both
Step by step guide to registration of Small Ships joining Part III of the UK Ship Register:
UK Ship Register - Small Ships - Guide to Registration