Best country to flag

[svseachange]

I think the best country to flag is your country of citizenship. Not sure why Australian registration gets such a bad wrap. There is no annual fee. No agents. Immediate registration unless you've screwed up your paperwork.

The most important function of a ship registry is to gaurantee your title to your boat. Do you really trust your boat ownership to some unstable backwater country?

It makes sense for ships to use flags of convenience because they want to avoid regulations related to labor. It doesn't really make sense unless you have paid crew.

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by undercutter

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Pretty sure we will be moving our flag to Langkawi or Labuan this year.

I will pm you the contact for the Agent a few of us in Subic have used for you to compare prices

[helise]

Originally Posted by undercutter

We flagged in the Cayman Islands mostly because of the difficulty of having the boat measured in Asia by someone recognized by the Canadian Govnm't to do so. Any pleasure boat over a certain length has to provide this (14-17M) I believe.

Now the annual costs are prohibitive in Cayman, (mostly agent fees) and we are thinking about moving our flag to Malaysia.

One of the benefits of the Cayman flag was that they had not signed any agreement with the US to allow them to board Cayman flagged boats in International waters. I know Canada has signed, but not sure about Malaysia.

Other than that, Malaysia sounds great, we may even go back that way soon if we decide t go to Europe. Is is not like the Canadian Government would do anything to help a Canadian flagged boat our its occupants.

Hello Steve,

For you info., they USN, USCG or any other countries naval vessels can't board Malaysian flagged vessel in International waters. That's against the Rule of the seas under UNCLOS and furthermore Malaysian did not signed or allowed any foreign navy to board it flagged vessel in International Waters.

We have a total of 11 yachts registered under LIYR Entity. So far so good and have no problem at all since 2006. Our Agent in Malaysia is a very professional, he's a Master Mariner and expert witness in maritime, very experience and very powerful in Malaysia. He will do what you want and very co-operative. He can even arrange for you to get a "Silver Hair Scheme" or "Malaysia is My 2nd Home" (stay in Malaysia for 10 years or more) or to meet the Minister or even the Prime Minister and/or the King.

I am a Briton and my hubby is an American. We met the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan of Johor, Malaysian King (Agong), few Ministers and even the current Prime Minister (Mohd.Najib) through him. As an Agent, knowledge, respect and quality is more important. Everyone in Malaysian Marine Department, Singapore MPA and LIYR know him.

You may contact him directly at mobile number +6018-7748020 or email Joabdullah@rocketmail.com if you need any assistant and please do mention my name.

Cheers......Helise Harper.





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[Scotty Kiwi]

Not disagreeing with Langkawi. Anyone had experience of Vanuatu?

[helise]

Originally Posted by Scotty Kiwi

Not disagreeing with Langkawi. Anyone had experience of Vanuatu?

Hi! Scotty,

Yes, we do. Before registration you need to form an IBC, Vanuatu local registration office, local director and secretary etc and yearly fees. Costs between USD2,800.00 to USD3,500.00/annum.

Attached below for your info.

Pleasure yachts registered under the flag of Vanuatu are subject to the maritime laws of the Republic of Vanuatu.

What is needed?

1. Application for Registration of Pleasure Yacht.
2. Declaration of Pleasure Yacht Owner.
3. Notarized proof of vessel ownership.
4. Certified copy of any foreign marine document or registration of vessel
5. Proof that vessel is seaworthy. This may include survey documents of inspection reports not greater than three months from date of receipt of application.
6. Insurance, proof that registered owner has and continues to hold public liability, pollution clean-up, and wreck removal insurance coverage for amounts appropriate to size of vessel.
7. Two 4 x 8 inch colour photographs of the vessel. One taken from portside bow to stern and one taken from starboardside stern towards the bow.
8. Required fees.
9. If Vanuatu is to be the home port of the vessel, you will also require a Radio Station License.

FEE SCHEDULE

Yacht Registration
To provide Vanuatu registration for your private vessel including; compulsory Call Sign issued by the Vanuatu Maritime Authority and minimum 5 year Vanuatu Maritime Authority annual registration fee:
US$ 800.00

Vanuatu IBC & Yacht Registration
To incorporate a Vanuatu International Company and provide:

Registered Office in Vanuatu, Nominee Shareholder, Nominee Director, Secretary, Standard Constitution, Certificate of Incorporation, Share Register, Common Seal, Minute Book, First Resolutions, filing of statutory returns, B&W letterhead with use of post office box, fax number, email address & all Government charges for 12 months.

To provide Vanuatu registration for your private vessel including; compulsory Call Sign issued by the Vanuatu Maritime Authority and minimum 5 year Vanuatu Maritime Authority annual registration fee.



The total cost in year one:

US$ 1,550.00

The total cost annually for years 2,3,4 & 5:

US$ 800.00.

Goodluck....

[svseachange]

Just remember, the primary purpose of registration is to gaurantee your title to the boat.

If you register in some backwater and/or pay corrupt officials you are undermining your title.

Registering in the US and/or Australia is much, much cheaper and easier than registering in Langwaki or Vanuatu or most other backwaters.

Unless you have paid crew or are the citizen of another backwater country there are few rational reasons to get a flag of convenience.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by pcmm

Canada works for me! If your boat is a NAFTA boat, then all you pay is sales tax. regsitration is $250 the first time and less for the renewal. no annual property taxes or "use taxes"on boats.

Must be a Canadian citizen or a Canadian Corporation to own a Canadian Registered Vessel.

You pay no taxes or duties unless/until the boat is brought back to Canada and there is no requirement to do so

The $250 is a one time fee with no renewal costs.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by svseachange

Just remember, the primary purpose of registration is to gaurantee your title to the boat.

The primary purpose of registration is to provide "nationality" for international travel as required by UNCLOS.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by StuM

The primary purpose of registration is to provide "nationality" for international travel as required by UNCLOS.

+1

My Canadian Certificate of Registry says ..... "A Certificate of Registry is not a title".

[svseachange]

Originally Posted by StuM

The primary purpose of registration is to provide "nationality" for international travel as required by UNCLOS.

Shipping registration precedes the UN.

[svseachange]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

+1

My Canadian Certificate of Registry says ..... "A Certificate of Registry is not a title".

In Australia it provides proof of title.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by svseachange

In Australia it provides proof of title.

Wikipedia is hardly an authoritative source.
Try this legal site.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Wikipedia is hardly an authoritative source.
Try this legal site.

Or the official word in Australia, direct from AMSA:
https://www.amsa.gov.au/vessels/shipping-registration/

"The purpose of Shipping Registration in Australia is to grant ships Australian nationality. It also allows for Australian ships to fly the Australian National Flag or the Australian Red Ensign in accordance with Australia's obligations under article 91 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, to which Australia is a party. When a ship is registered in Australia it receives legally recognisable Australian nationality, giving it advantages at home and abroad. The ship will be accorded Australian protection on the high seas and in foreign ports."

[svseachange]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Wikipedia is hardly an authoritative source.
Try this legal site.

AMSA is the authoritative site for the Australian ship register. See:
https://www.amsa.gov.au/vessels/ship...eral-register/

Specifically: "Registration will make re-sale easier and can add value to your vessel because the purchaser can be assured of ‘good title’."

[StuM]

Originally Posted by svseachange
Just remember, the primary purpose of registration is to gaurantee your title to the boat.

Originally Posted by svseachange

AMSA is the authoritative site for the Australian ship register. See:
https://www.amsa.gov.au/vessels/ship...eral-register/

Specifically: "Registration will make re-sale easier and can add value to your vessel because the purchaser can be assured of ‘good title’."

That's not the purpose, it's a side benefit. See my previous post.