GUERNSEY - REGISTRATION OF VESSELS
F Haskins
& Co are able to register vessels with the Guernsey Authorities. The
following information details what vessels can be registered and the
procedures.
What
Vessels can be Registered in Guernsey
Registration
of vessels in Guernsey is governed by the
terms of the Merchant Shipping (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002 and the
regulations made under such law. The
following sets out a brief guide to the relevant matters.
It is
possible to register pleasure yachts in Guernsey
of not more than 150 tonnes gross, as ascertained under the merchant shipping
tonnage regulations. It is also possible to register certain other commercial
vessels operating within local waters.
If the
particular vessel is to be used for hire or reward then it must comply with
the U.K.
codes of practice. In these circumstances, if the vessel is 24 metres or more
(as per the ITC 69 tonnage regulations) in length then the vessel cannot be
registered even if less than 150 tonnes gross.
Ownership
Traditionally
vessels are divided into up to 64 shares. These shares can be owned
individually or in blocks of up to the maximum allowance. These shares can
also be jointly owned with a maximum of up to five joint owners for each
share or block of shares.
A British
subject or a company registered in, and having its principal place of
business in, one of Her Majesty's dominions must own the majority of shares
in the vessel in question. Foreign nationals can own up to 31 shares in the
vessel. Any shares owned by a non-British subject, whether owned jointly or
not, will be considered to be unqualified shares.
Registration
Registration
of a vessel under part 1 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894, as amended,
distinguishes the legal title to the vessel and gives recognition to the vessel
as a British ship and enables transactions such as mortgages and Court Orders
to be registered on or over the vessel. To facilitate the registration of a
vessel in Guernsey the following documents
are required:-
- Application to
register;
- appointment of
authorised officer(s) (for company owned vessels);
- declaration of
ownership (there are two different forms for company owned and
individually owned shares);
- name approval;
- certificate of
incorporation (if company owned);
- title document
– either builders certificate or bill of sale. If the vessel is
purchased from a qualified owner then further bills of sale must be
produced showing ownership back to a non-qualified owner;
- tonnage survey
(carried out by certain approved qualified surveyors);
- registry fee of
GBP280.00. (There are no annual tonnage taxes on registered vessels.)
Once the
Registrar has received all of the above mentioned documentation then a
carving and marking note will be issued. This contains the official number
(issued by the Registrar), the registered or net tonnage and the name and
port of registry which will then have to be marked on the vessel in
accordance with the instructions contained on the carving and marking note.
If the
overall length of the vessel is less than 45 feet (in accordance with the
survey) then the owner signs the note. If the vessel is more than 45 feet
than an approved surveyor, or a British Consular official, must sign the
carving and marking note.
Once the
original certified carving and marking note is received by the registrar, the
Certificate of Registry (known as the blue book) will be issued. When all of
the documentation is provided the Registry aims to turn around requests the
same day.
This brief
guide is not intended to be an exhaustive explanation of the regulations
applicable or the procedures to be followed in registering a vessel. Queries may be addressed to F Haskins &
Co. The Registrar may be contacted
direct at:
The
Registrar of British Ships.
PO Box 417
St
Peter Port,
Guernsey,
GY1
3WJ.
Telephone:
01481 720229. Fax: 01481 712248
Website:
www.shipsregistry.gov.gg
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