GUIDANCE NOTES

The Guernsey registry is open to pleasure yachts of not more than 150 tons gross (as ascertained under Merchant Shipping tonnage regulations), and certain other commercial vessels operating within local waters.

A vessel is traditionally divided into 64 shares. Shares can be owned individually or in blocks up to the maximum of 64. Shares can also be jointly owned up to a maximum of 5 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 a vessel (that is 33). Foreign nationals can own up to 31 shares in a vessel. Any shares jointly owned by qualified and unqualified owners count as unqualified shares.

Registration of a vessel under Part 1 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894, as amended, gives legal title to the vessel, gives it recognition as a British ship and enables other transactions such as mortgages and Court Orders to be registered on the vessel.

If the vessel is to be used for hire or reward then it must comply with the UK Codes of Practice.
A vessel which is 24 metres or more in length, as measured under the ITC 69 tonnage regulations, cannot be registered if it is to be used for hire or reward, even if less than 150 tons gross.

In order to complete registry of a vessel, a number of documents are required as follows:-

1. Application to register ( form C190 )
2. Appointment of authorized officer(s) (C193) (for company owned vessels).
3. Declaration of Ownership. (GC 194) for company owned shares and (GC 195) for individually owned shares.
4. Name approval (GSR 342) (Only this form can be dealt with by fax).
5. Copy of the certificate of incorporation of the company if the vessel is corporately owned.
6. Title document. This normally means the builder's certificate for newly built vessels or a bill of sale for second-hand vessels. These forms are prescribed in law and advice should be sought from the registrar if there is any uncertainty regarding the acceptability of the document. If the vessel is purchased from a qualified owner (see above) then further bills of sale must be produced chaining ownership back to a non-qualified owner.
7. Tonnage survey. This can only be carried out by certain qualified surveyors and a list is available from the registry office on request.
8. The registry fee of £280 sterling. There are no annual tonnage taxes on registered vessels.

When the registrar has received ALL the above documents a carving and marking note will then be issued. This requires an official number (issued by the registrar), the registered or net tonnage and the name and port of registry to be marked on the vessel in accordance with the instructions stated on the carving and marking note.

If the overall length of the vessel is less than 45 feet, in accordance with the survey report, then the owner or in the case of a vessel owned by a company, the authorized officer, may sign the note. If the vessel is not less than 45 feet then an approved surveyor (see 7 above) or a British Consular Official must sign the carving and marking note.

When the original certified carving and marking note is received by the registrar the Certificate of Registry (commonly known as the 'blue book') will be issued.

Whilst the registry office is normally able to process documents presented on a daily basis, such documents as name approval, tonnage surveys etc. are outside the control of the Guernsey Registrar and applicants should ensure that sufficient time is allowed for the process to be completed.

This note is not intended to be conclusive in the information given and any questions on registry matters should be sent to the following address

Registry of British Ships
St Julian's Emplacement
St Peter Port
Guernsey
GY1 2LW
Channel Islands

Tel: 01481 720229
Fax: 01481 705824 / 714177
E-Mail: shipsregistry@gov.gg