Vessel registration

[bushymac]

I have recently bought a 10.2m Colin Archer/William Atkins design yacht while in Australia but am from New Zealand. I plan on eventually going offshore within the next 2 years, but am unsure how registration works. Do I have to register it as Australian, with an Australian flag flown? Or can I register as a NZ vessel so I can fly the flag of my country? Or how does this work.This might be a silly question showing my ignorance, but I would like to know the answer.

[IslandHopper]

Are you an Australian Resident...??

[bushymac]

Yes, I have been here for 12 years now, but when I start offshore passages, will hopefully base myself out of NZ more than here

[Nemo55]

Not sure about Australia or New Zealand,,but Canada and the U.S. you would have to register the vessel in your home port. although you can purchase anywhere.

[IslandHopper]

Originally Posted by bushymac

Yes, I have been here for 12 years now, but when I start offshore passages, will hopefully base myself out of NZ more than here

Ok then as an Australian Resident you come under the 12m regs...

Guide to registering a ship in Aus

1.2 Ships that may be registered

A ship may be registered if:

• more than half the shares in it are owned by Australian nationals; or
• it is less than 12 metres in length overall and wholly owned or operated by Australian residents or by Australian nationals and residents together; or
• it is on demise (bare boat) charter to an Australian based operator.

.....which means because you are less than 12m, and a Aus resident, you can be Australian registered and fly the Aus flag.....

As to the second part of your question (NZ Reg and Flag) i would suggest you copy and paste your first post to the relevant authorities, or give them a call....

Guide to registering a ship

Ship registration in New Zealand - Maritime New Zealand

I have a few vague thoughts on the subject, but no concrete advice other than i think the sticky point will be your country of residence, so i will just leave it there....

Best of luck.....

[bushymac]

Many thanks for your imput... cheers

[Wavewacker]

Not to hijack a thread,

I have not been in other countries to notice registrations of foreign boats. Mine is reguistered in a state (Mo,) is that all that is need to show up in a foreign country or must it be USCG listed/approved as well? It would be under 12M.