Introduction
With over 2,000 yachts on its register the British Channel Island of Jersey is one of the most popular ports of registry for yachts in the world. Oceanskies is a Channel Island based yacht documentation agency that is responsible for a significant percentage of yacht registrations in Jersey. We have written this guide to highlight why Jersey is such a popular choice for yacht registration.
About Jersey
The Island of Jersey is part of the British Isles. Jersey is located in the English Channel in the Bay of St Malo. The Island is an independent jurisdiction and is governed by its own ‘Parliament’, the States of Jersey but is dependent on the British Crown for the administration of foreign affairs and defence. It has become an established international finance centre, with a secure base built on political stability, low taxation and a firmly established fiscal and regulatory environment.
The British Register of Ships in Jersey
The Jersey Register of British Ships is a British ‘red ensign’ register administered by the States of Jersey. The register operates autonomously with regulatory oversight provided by the United Kingdom’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Port of Registry
The principal Port of Registry is Jersey. This means that the word JERSEY appears on the stern of all Jersey registered vessels, (not St. Helier, which is the Island’s capital and main harbour).
The Flag (‘Ensign’)
Owners of Jersey registered yachts have the choice of flying a standard undefaced plain red ensign or the Jersey red ensign which is the red ensign defaced with the Jersey Arms.
The Certificate of British Registry
Upon completion of registration formalities a Jersey registered yacht is issued with a traditional A3 sized Certificate of British Registry more commonly described as the vessel’s ‘Blue Book’.
Eligibility – Yachts
Jersey will accept private pleasure yachts and commercial yachts up to 399 GT that are based and operated anywhere in the world.
Eligibility - Owners
Jersey is an international register meaning that the register is not just restricted to Jersey companies or Jersey citizens. Companies and citizens who are part of the Commonwealth, European Union, British Isles, Crown Dependencies or Overseas Territories can qualify for registration, including:
Anguilla | Cyprus | India | Maldives | Seychelles |
Australia | Czech Republic | Ireland | Malta | Singapore |
Bahamas | Denmark | Isle of Man | Mauritius | Slovakia |
Barbados | Estonia | Italy | Netherlands | Slovenia |
Belgium | Finland | Jamaica | Nevis | South Africa |
Belize | France | Jersey | New Zealand | Spain |
BVI | Germany | Kenya | Nigeria | Sri Lanka |
Bulgaria | Gibraltar | Latvia | Poland | Sweden |
Cayman Islands | Greece | Lithuania | Portugal | United Kingdom |
Canada | Guernsey | Luxembourg | Romania | Vanuatu |
Croatia | Hungary | Malaysia | Saint Vincent |
Summary of Features & Benefits of Yacht Registration in Jersey
Jersey Yacht Registration By Oceanskies
Oceanskies is based in the Channel Islands and provides a Jersey yacht registration service to all yacht owners wishing to take advantage of the Jersey registration for their yacht.
The registration service results in Oceanskies taking responsibility for the entire registration process on behalf of the owner including:
We are always happy to prepare bespoke proposals on request.