Yacht Registration

Paul Mermelstein · Mar 2, 2015

Every country has its own rules. In the US, not all states have the same rules either. My recommendation is to register it in the Philippines. It has nothing to do with your citizenship, and more to do with where the boat will be primarily berthed and sailed.

woodster · Mar 3, 2015

why not register it with the US coast guard and if you ever bring it to the US register in the state you plan to live in at that time...do you still have any kind of US address..

woodster · Mar 3, 2015

Guess said:
That sounds good to me. I have a brother in Houston and one in Florida. Guess I could use one of their addresses. Is all the info on the USCG website?

yes its all there it may take a while for them to process it ( not sure how much history of the boat they will have to have) but they will get it done and i think now you have a $26.00 annual fee to keep it registered....use you brothers address and have him mail you the paperwork or it may come online so you can print it out where you are...i am sure some one on here will shed more light on this

Ron20324 · Mar 3, 2015

Good luck with the Coasties.. They probably want a certificate of origin. I bought my B323 new and just let the dealer handle documentation. Easy, that way.

CCHer · Mar 3, 2015

The USCG Documentation Center has a pretty good web site. It has the forms you need and what sale/proof of ownership documentation is needed. The one time I had to call them they were very helpful.

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvdc/default.asp

Benny17441 · Mar 3, 2015

Since you are going to keep the boat in a foreign country and are going perhaps to be sailing to other foreign destinations I would recommend you register the boat with the USCG. The requirements are basic, US Citizenship, Proof of ownership, payment of fees. This registration entitles your boat to protection under US Maritime Treaties which perhaps will be most valuable in Philippine territorial waters where it will spend most of its time. There are no outside markings or numbers to be shown other than the boat's name and hailing port. Check with Philippines law about markings to be displayed by visiting vessels. Do an online check with the USCG and you will find the process and the forms to be completed.

Stu Jackson · Mar 3, 2015

You may also want to check your question out on www.cruisersforum.com. They have a lot of world-wide cruisers there who may share your particular experience.

Roadking Larry · Mar 3, 2015

Ignorance alert! (on my part)

So, since this boat is considered a visitor to the PI will there be any kind of import/export issues involved?
What a confusing, convoluted world we live in.

justsomeguy · Mar 3, 2015

Roadking Larry said:
snip-
What a confusing, convoluted world we live in.

You can say that again.

capta · Mar 4, 2015

If your vessel is not already a documented vessel you may not be able to do so. I believe you must show clear title for the vessel's complete history, often requiring notarized letters from ALL former owners.
Perhaps you could get up to the Marshall Islands as that seems to be the new flag of convenience for American owners.
There are several countries that allow non-citizen owners, such as Panama, Liberia, Monrovia and some of the Caribbean islands are doing yacht registration as well.