where to register for when world cruising?

[tour]

We are close to purchasing a cat in the next 2 months. Permanent liveaboard for a few years. We are South African citizens but due to rather silly/stupid reasons re registration(in SA) we are looking at offshore registration. We will spend a lot of time in SE Asia and then where to next we have no idea.

We are looking at BVI, Dutch, British and Langkawi registration for the cat. Does anybody have any firsthand experience and advice as where to register?

[Stingo]

BVI, Gibraltar, Cayman Islands will cost you several thousand US dollars per year because it is done through company ownership, which has annual admin costs. I don't recall the details, but ask Mr Google about Cook Island registry.
For Part 1 registry in the UK you need to have ties to the UK eg a UK passport. You cannot legally do UK SSR registration if the boat is outside UK waters for longer than 179 days per year.

[Stingo]

There is also Delaware, USA registration. Again, I don't recall the drawbacks, but there are some. I'm sure someone will be along shortly to remind me.

[Stingo]

Originally Posted by Stingo

.....about Cook Island registry.

On Fakepoo, search for Cook Island Yacht Squadron. Lots of info there

[Sand crab]

You can get Delaware state registration for really cheap. However I believe you are talking about setting up a US Corporation and federally documenting it (registration) and then claiming Delaware as a home port. This can be done but it's not really cheap. May be cheaper than VAT though.

[john61ct]

Home port is irrelevant to fed documentation, and state reg no longer needed.

Foreigners trying that route need lawyer$

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by Stingo

BVI, Gibraltar, Cayman Islands will cost you several thousand US dollars per year because it is done through company ownership, which has annual admin costs. I don't recall the details, but ask Mr Google about Cook Island registry.
For Part 1 registry in the UK you need to have ties to the UK eg a UK passport. You cannot legally do UK SSR registration if the boat is outside UK waters for longer than 179 days per year.

Cook Islands are also expensive and have yearly fees. Not worth it IMHO.

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by tour

We are close to purchasing a cat in the next 2 months. Permanent liveaboard for a few years. We are South African citizens but due to rather silly/stupid reasons re registration(in SA) we are looking at offshore registration. We will spend a lot of time in SE Asia and then where to next we have no idea.



We are looking at BVI, Dutch, British and Langkawi registration for the cat. Does anybody have any firsthand experience and advice as where to register?

Jersey registration www.ports.je/shipsregistry/Pages/default.aspx is the least expensive that we found for our 16 m cat and it puts us on the UK part 1 registry (and we fly the Red Ensign). We are located in NZ and registered 2 years ago. The total cost for 10 years was 715 GBP. We also paid an additional 550 GBP for tonnage survey (may not apply to you). Renewal will be 100 GBP. OFCOM provides free UK MMSI, ship radio licence and call sign.

The other alternative is Langkawi - a bit more expensive than Jersey but much cheaper than the other open registries.

[Blackie Swart]

The registration with SAMSA is cumbersome but then again, it's not that expensive. you mention sailing "for a few years" - SA registration lasts 5 years. So after that you worry about it when the time comes.

[cj88]

Originally Posted by Stingo

BVI, Gibraltar, Cayman Islands will cost you several thousand US dollars per year because it is done through company ownership, which has annual admin costs. I don't recall the details, but ask Mr Google about Cook Island registry.
For Part 1 registry in the UK you need to have ties to the UK eg a UK passport. You cannot legally do UK SSR registration if the boat is outside UK waters for longer than 179 days per year.

UK registration has changed this year and has opened up to Commonwealth citizens so it would be worth a look along with Jersey registration.

[smj]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Home port is irrelevant to fed documentation, and state reg no longer needed.

Foreigners trying that route need lawyer$

Depends on the state.

[john61ct]

Scenario here is a boat staying overseas, not becoming "resident" - which really is just a tax / permit issue as in most countries.

[scallowayuk]

Originally Posted by Stingo

BVI, Gibraltar, Cayman Islands will cost you several thousand US dollars per year because it is done through company ownership, which has annual admin costs. I don't recall the details, but ask Mr Google about Cook Island registry.
For Part 1 registry in the UK you need to have ties to the UK eg a UK passport. You cannot legally do UK SSR registration if the boat is outside UK waters for longer than 179 days per year.

not sure i understand the last bit.so as i have been cruising for the last 2 years and my boat wont be back in the uk oir at least another 2 years an i not legally ssr registered?

[stewie]

I believe, if you personally are not part of the British Commonwealth, then you would need to buy a Jersey company and register through it.

[David1033]

We have dual British / Dutch nationality, will be buying a boat that's currently lying in Italy but flying the Austrian flag.

We intend to move our base to Portugal, but also go cruising, perhaps a circumnavigation, if our old bones can take it.

So, should we re-register the boat, and if so, where? Jersey sounds interesting. Would Dutch or Portuguese registration have advantages, or would British reg. (either through Jersey or somewhere else on the British mainland) be better?