MMSI # for BVI flagged boat

[jclark500]

See Mark Dubois (mark.dubois@abm.vg). we were going to use him for BVI registration, but for other reasons are going USCG. Based in BVI and very knowledgeable attorney with reasonable fee structure.

Jeff

[svlamorocha]

Originally Posted by SVTyee

Andy, would love more details on how your flagging went along with MMSI number. We are US perm res and have not registered in TX but are Brits. Ready to go cruising and will have to reflag in order to leave USA. BVI sounds like it maybe an option

If you are a British citizen then "real" British (UK) registration is way cheaper. COmpare the cost of the radio licence in the UK to the cost of getting a BVI radio licence.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/manage-your...ensing-service

I know the spelling of "licence" will seem strange to those from the Northern colonies but hey, that is the way we spell this type of license in the UK...

[sailingforfun]

I'm dual citizen (US/UK) residing in Texas. Purchased and took delivery of a new Lagoon 450 in France. Registered her in BVI's. UK citizens can register a vessel in their own name in BVI. No need to set up a corporation.

We used Trident Trust in BVI to handle the registration. As part of the registration process they also handled the MMSI registration and radio license.

We had no problem getting a 1 year cruising permit ($12) for sailing in the US waters. They're renewable every year.

I didn't think USCG registration was permissible with a foreign flagged boat?

[hellosailor]

"I didn't think USCG registration was permissible with a foreign flagged boat?"
It isn't. Although USCG "registration" is a proper term, we Colonials never use that term. We refer to it as "documentation" and reserve the term "registration" for that done by a State.
Federal documentation ("flagging") is reserved for US citizens. And while some folks keep saying they can get around that with a Delaware corporate entity, the USCG seems to think that corporate entity would have to be 51% owned by US citizens, in order to do that legally.
Bear in mind that if you flag a boat someplace convenient like Malaysia (Langkawi being just a state in Malaysia, not a nation in itself), you may be placing yourself under the laws and regulations of that country as well as giving up the protections of your native flag. Which your insurer and various border authorities may also question, or treat differently.