Port of Registry on Stern

[moements]

We are sailing newbies and have just registered our yacht on the small boats registry online in the UK. We are heading off to the Bahamas and don't know what we need to put on the stern of our boat.

We have the name of the boat on the sides but we don't know if we need to put the SSR number anywhere or the port of registry.

On the SSR we weren't required to name a port of registry.

Can anyone help?

Thanks!

[s/v Moondancer]

We got our SSR registration while in Miami.

We have name and our SSR # on the stern. The Brits have rules, size, colour and placement of the SSR # which we did not follow, so you could look them up and follow them for when you get home, if ever. PM me if you find them so that I will be legal when I return home in 2 yrs time.

In the Bahamas the don't care as long as you give them the $300 cruising fee and in the US you do need a cruising certificate which is good for a year and the cost is nominal.

[Zanshin]

That is a good question. It seems that you need to choose a valid port (http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/ports_o..._parts_i-3.pdf) only for Part I or Part IV registration, not for Part III (SSR). I couldn't find any MCGA requirements on Part III markings, unlike for my Part I with a marking & carving note and the IMO number. But I would put a port name on the boat in order to avoid questions and every country you clear into will have a question "Home Port" that might raise eyebrows if not filled in.

[moements]

Thanks Zanshin,

Good info. Can we choose any port we like?

[barnakiel]

I do not know if it is a universal rule, but sometimes you can get a discount when moored in your port of registry, so when you have a freedom of choice, maybe ask around and register in a port that will treat you well when you are back.

b

[beneteau-500]

my s/y is registered on ssr and i have just put london on the stern and i have been based in the med for yrs with no probs

[Zanshin]

moements - since the port name isn't officially in the PART I then I would think you could put any city name on it - from "Bradford" or "Leeds" to "Aberdaugleddau" - which would be tough to fit into the forms but certainly be a great conversation starter.