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Guernsey Yacht Registration

Introduction

The British Channel Island of Guernsey is a popular British ‘red ensign’ port of registry.

Oceanskies is a Guernsey based yacht documentation agency and the purpose of this guide to highlight the many advantages of the register and to introduce the Guernsey yacht registration services that we provide.

About Guernsey

The Island of Guernsey is part of the British Isles. Guernsey 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 Guernsey 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 Guernsey

The Guernsey Register of British Ships is a British ‘red ensign’ register administered by the States of Guernsey. The register operates autonomously with regulatory oversight provided by the United Kingdom’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

History

The precise date of the commencement of recognition and operation of Guernsey as a port of British Registry is unclear but certainly it has been active as a registry since at least 1894.

Port of Registry

The single Port of Registry is Guernsey. This means that the word GUERNSEY appears on the stern of all Guernsey registered vessels, (not St. Peter Port, which is the Island’s capital and main harbour).

The Flag (‘Ensign’)

Owners of Guernsey registered yachts will fly a standard undefaced plain red ensign unless the owner is a local Guernsey resident who has the ability to fly a Guernsey red ensign which is the red ensign defaced with the Golden Norman cross.

The Certificate of British Registry

Upon completion of registration formalities a Guernsey registered yacht is issued with a traditional A3 sized Certificate of British Registry more commonly described as the vessel’s ‘Blue Book’. The Certificate of British Registry is valid for ten years from the date of issue.

Eligibility – Yachts

The Registry is open to private yachts under 150 GT.

Yacht that will be operated for charter can be registered if under 24 metres in length.

Eligibility – Owners

To qualify for Guernsey registration, the majority of shares in a vessel (33 of the 64) must be owned either by a British subject or a company registered in and having its principal place of business in a British Crown Dependency or British Overseas Territory. 

Summary of Features & Benefits of Yacht Registration in Guernsey

Guernsey Yacht Registration By Oceanskies

Oceanskies is based in Guernsey and provides a fixed fee yacht registration service to all yacht owners wishing to take advantage of the benefits of Guernsey registration for their yacht.

The registration service results in Oceanskies taking responsibility for the entire registration process on behalf of the owner.

Our fees include all registry fees and disbursements providing the internationally recognised Guernsey Certificate of British Registry valid for ten years and a lifetime radio licence allocating the vessel’s call sign and MMSI number.

Example Pricing

Our fixed fee yacht registration package for the Guernsey registration of any  private yacht under 24 metres in registered length lying within the EU costs only £2,500.00 for ten years and includes:

Crew Employment & Payroll for Guernsey Registered Yachts

Through Oceanskies Crew Limited we are able to provide crew payroll outsourcing services from the Channel Islands for crew working onboard Guernsey registered vessels.

This service is a very popular ‘bolt on’ service for our clients as it simplifies the employment of the crew of their Guernsey registered yacht.

The yacht owner engages Oceanskies Crew Limited to employ and pay the crew of their vessel through a crew services agreement. As employers, Oceanskies Crew Limited issues the crew with contracts in line with the Marine Labour Convention guidelines, pays them, issues payslips, sea service testimonials etc.

For further information please refer to the crew employment and payroll section of our website at the following link:

Other Guernsey Yacht Registration Services by Oceanskies

Oceanskies are able to provide a range of stand-alone fixed fee additional registration services including:

Next Steps

Please do not hesitate to contact for a free no obligation proposal for any of our Guernsey yacht registration services or any general yacht registration query that you might have.

 

Relevant Guides

Cayman Islands Yacht Registration
Guernsey Yacht Registration
Isle of Man Yacht Registration
Jersey Yacht Registration
Malta Yacht Registration
United Kingdom (UK) Yacht Registration

Who to Contact

Ryan
Tom

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