British Virgin Islands (BVI) - Ship Registration

British Virgin Islands

Ship Registration

The British Virgin Islands (“BVI”) is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom located in the Caribbean Sea east of Puerto Rico. Road Town is the capital, and English is the official language. Her Majesty the Queen (represented in BVI by the Governor) is the Head of State, and the Chief Minister is the elected Head of Government. There is unicameral Legislative Council. The territory is an associate number of CARICOM and OECS.

The economy is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean area and is highly dependent on the tourist industry, which is predominantly marine based, and includes yachting, cruising and diving.

As an overseas Territory of the United Kingdom (UK), vessels registered in BVI are essentially British Ships entitled to the same rights, privileges, protection and security as British Ships at home and abroad; without being subject to the metropolitan fiscal regimes.

The legal system of the BVI is based on the British tradition of English Common Law. The Privy Council in London is the court of final appeal in all respects.

Registry means the placing upon the Register for the first time of any ship; British of foreign built, old or new.

Conditions:

	There must be application to the Registrar of Ships for registry of the ship. Applicants may use the prescribed form, obtained from the Registrar of Shipping to write in.

	The name of the ship must be officially approved. The appropriate form (GSR 342), obtainable from the Registrar, is to be completed and returned. This ensures no duplication/confusion of names on the Register.

	The ship must be surveyed and measured to obtain details of size, and other descriptive particulars necessary for the registration of British Ships under the Merchant Shipping Acts. This is carried out by a Surveyor of one of the approved classification societies (see paragraph 10), or a Surveyor appointed or authorized by the Administration. The Surveyor issues a Certificate of Survey and a Tonnage Certificate (British or International). A simplified procedure whereby a combined Certificate of Survey/Tonnage Measurement is issued is applicable to Vessels of Under 24 Meters, Load Line Length.

	Citizens of and/or, Bodies Corporate registered in the British Virgin Islands or, any of the following countries are qualified to own a (British) Virgin Islands ship: United Kingdom and it Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories. Nationals of and bodies corporate incorporated in a Member State of the European Community (EC) or European Economic Area (EEA). Overseas Territory of Member of EC or EEA. (Bodies corporate must have a place of business in such Member State or Overseas Territory), Bodies corporate incorporated in a Member State of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) or the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) (and registered in the BVI.)

	The Owner(s) must produce satisfactory evidence of title to ownership in the form of: the Builder’s Certificate and Bill of Sale or Transfer. In case of ships condemned by a competent court, a Bill of Sale given by the Admiralty Marshall or such other competent person may be accepted as foundation of title.

	With the documents produced as evidence of title to ownership, every owner is required to make a Declaration of Eligibility. Such declaration can only be made after the applicant has acquired the ship. Therefore, the date must not precede the date in the Builders Certificate or the Bill of Sale.

	A form entitled, Appointment of Authorized Officer (C193) which enables naming of an Individual to sign Declaration of Eligibility etc., is required in respect of Body Corporate.

	Bodies Corporate or individuals not resident BVI are required to appoint a company, or individual residing in BVI as Representative. This facilitates ready correspondence between the Registry and the vessel’s owner

	SURVEYS

	Obtain the Safety and Pollution Prevention standards

Registration Procedures:

	Application to register and list of proposed names.

	Declaration of Eligibility

	Original Documents of sale (for example, Bill of Sale, Builders Certificate).

	Certificate of Survey and Tonnage Measurement issued by one of the Classification Societies. Note: If the vessel is over 24 meters in load line length, an International Tonnage Certificate (ITC69) will be required.

	Certificate of Incorporation (for all Companies or Bodies Corporate).

	A Certificate of Good Standing if the company has been registered for more than six months.

	Appointment of Authorized Officer (Form C193), which enables naming of an individual to sign the Declaration of Eligibility.

	Appointment of Representative (Individuals and Bodies Corporate not resident in the B.V.I. are required to appoint a Company or Individual residing in the B.V.I. as representative).

	Registration Fee

	If the ship is coming off a foreign register, a Certificate of Deletion and an extract if its registration had been required.

	If the ship is coming off a Red Ensign Register, a Closed Transcript and the original Certificate of Survey/Tonnage.

	Documents used to support an application in a foreign language must be accompanied by a notarized translation.

	Prior to final registration, a “Carving & Marking Note” is issued, for which a further inspection of the vessel by the surveyor is required.

For further information about this product please contact us at omc@omcgroup.com