Yacht Registration in Georgia

Georgia is a small country on the Black Sea coast. The population is about 3.75 million people, the language is Georgian. The currency is Georgian Lari (GEL). In 2012, important reforms in the maritime industry took place in Georgia, as a result, the Georgian flag became favorable for international registration. Any foreign person, private or legal, can register the flag of Georgia.

The registration process can be done remotely. A survey is needed. For private yachts up to 24 meters, the survey inspection may be done remotely. The radio license (MMSI, Call Sign) is included in registration fee, radio operator's certificate is not required. Optionally, you can register the flag for 1 year, 3 or 5 years.

Documents can be accepted in English, that is quite convenient.

The yacht registration in Georgia is divided into two steps. The first step is obtaining a provisional registration of the yacht and radio license for a period of 6 months. The second step is to obtain permanent registration and radio license for a period of 1 year, 3 or 5 years (by choice).

Registration of Pleasure Yachts up to 24 Metres & up to 100 Gross Tons

The first step: obtaining a provisional registration for a period of 6 months

Documents Required for Yacht Registration

1. A notarized copy of the passport (page with photo) or ID card of the boat owner. Either a certificate of registration of the legal entity that owns the yacht.

Any foreign person, private or legal, can register the flag of Georgia. The countries under sanctions are reviewed individually.

2. Appointment of a Resident Agent. To register a yacht in Georgia for a non-resident, you need a Resident Agent, usually it is a Georgian lawyer or a law firm. We work with such an agent.

3. A notarized Power of Attorney for the registration of the yacht, issued by the yacht owner to the Resident Agent in Georgia. We will help you prepare it.

4. Documents confirming the ownership of the yacht:

- Builders Certificate for new boats (an original with the seller’s seal or a notarized copy);
- if the vessel was purchased, then Bill of Sale with the signature of the previous owner.

5. If the yacht was registered earlier:

- Certificate of Registry from the previous ship register;
- Deletion Certificate.

If the Deletion Certificate is not issued yet, temporary yacht registration in Georgia can be done without it, that is very convenient. A sample document will be sent to you, which you’ll have to fill out, sign and send a scan. Within 6 months, you should obtain a Deletion Certificate and submit it to the yacht registry in order to get permanent registration.

6. Photos of the yacht:

- Bow, stern, left or right side of the boat;
- Photo of Hull Identification Number (HIN);
- Photo of the Engine Serial No.

7. Payment Check as a confirmation of payment.

During the registration process, the Maritime Register in Georgia can request more documents about your yacht. Any requested technical details should be provided. After that, you will receive a provisional registration and a temporary radio license for a period of 6 months. Provisional registration of the boat is issued within 1-2 working days.

The second step: obtaining a permanent registration
for a period of 1 year, 3 or 5 years (by choice)

Registration of Private Yachts Over 100 GT
Yachts for Commercial Use

In the boat registry of Georgia, you can also register:

- private yacht over 24 meters & 100 GT,
- commercial yacht,
- passenger yacht,
- yacht under construction.

All types of vessels, from pleasure yachts to passenger cruise liners and tankers, can be registered under the Georgian flag. Such vessels demand an individual attention. The bigger the vessel, the more requirements. Contact us and we will start working with you.

The registration of yachts in Georgia takes place at the Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia, the same agency does a radio license registration (MMSI, Call Sign).

There are several home ports in Georgia. The most popular are Batumi and Poti.

Radio License. A radio license in Georgia is included in registration fee. A radio operator's certificate is not required to obtain a radio license – this is one of the most attractive advantages of Georgian registration. You just need to provide a list of all radio equipment: EPIRB, GPS, Chartplotter, VHF, etc., and to specify the brand and model of each device. After registration, the EPIRB should be set up according the flag, and then information about this radio beacon (its model, serial number, unique ID, etc.) should be provided extra to the ship register. Remote survey will also demand photos of all radio equipment on board.

Survey Inspection. Another advantage of the Georgian registration is the possibility to undergo a survey remotely (available for private yachts up to 24 meters and up to100 GT). Remote survey is done by the company approved by the maritime register of Georgia. The cost of the survey is included in registration fee, no need to pay extra for it.

Dual Flag Registration. Parallel registration under alternative flag on the basis of a bareboat charter agreement is possible in Georgia.

The Georgian Register provides urgent services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Easy access to staff and senior management. The Georgian flag is a young and strong player in the market!

Interesting Facts

The most famous Georgian is Comrade Stalin. In terms of the power and controlled territory, Comrade Stalin is among the five most powerful people who have ever been in the recorded history, along with Genghis Khan, Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great and Napoleon.

The legendary Georgian hospitality really exists. A guest will never leave the house of a Georgian family hungry, and most of the time, sober. Just believe: resistance is futile. It is better to accept this fact and enjoy food and drinks from the heart!

Georgia was inhabited from prehistoric times. The most ancient pieces of broken pottery jars for wine and the oldest grapevines were discovered on the territory of modern Georgia. Georgia has been producing wine for 8000 years and is considered the birthplace of winemaking. The word wine sounds similar in different languages and comes from the Georgian "ghvino".

The Jewish community in Georgia is one of the oldest in the world. It is divided into two groups: Georgian Jews, who have lived here for more than 2,600 years, and Ashkenazim, who have lived in the country since the 19th century.

The Georgian language is unique and has its own alphabet. Georgians use a base-twenty numeral system. That is, to refer to any number, for example, between 20 and 100, you need to count how many 20s it consists of, say this number and remaining amount. For better understanding: 48 is two-twenty-eight, or 97 is four-twenty-seventeen.

In 1976, NASA sent the Georgian folk song "Chakrula" into space as a message to alien races to assess the musical abilities of mankind. You should listen to it 😉

Georgia is a mountainous country in the South Caucasus, incredibly beautiful, it is an attractive base in the Black Sea for yachtsmen from all over the world.