Yacht Registration in Marshall Islands
The Republic of the Marshall Islands is an island nation in the western Pacific Ocean, comprising 29 atolls and 5 islands. The population is approximately 57 thousand people. Official languages are Marshallese and English. The currency is the US dollar.
The Marshall Islands are in a "Compact of Free Association" with the United States, giving the U.S. strategic control over the territory. This provides numerous advantages for the Marshall Islands flag, such as, favorable conditions for entering US and EU territorial waters. The Marshall Islands is one of the most popular jurisdictions for boat registration. The Merchant Fleet of the Marshall Islands ranks as the 3rd largest in the world.
The entire registration process can be completed remotely. Registration is valid for life, with a small annual government fee required – for yachts up to 24 meters it is 750 USD.
The radio license (MMSI, call sign) is issued for 4 years, and must be renewed thereafter.
In the Marshall Islands, a yacht can only be registered under a legal entity.
This can be any foreign company that has obtained approval from the boat register and is registered as a Foreign Maritime Entity (FME).
Alternatively, a company can be incorporated in the Marshall Islands. The most convenient type of company is the International Business Corporation (IBC).
We will assist with the incorporation of a company in the Marshall Islands, as well as its subsequent maintenance.
The following is required for company registration:
1. A notarized and apostilled copy of the boat owner's passport (photo page) or ID card.
2. Proof of address, which can be utility bills for water, gas, or electricity, showing the yacht owner's full name and address.
If the documents are not in English, a notarized translation is required. We will explain how to make it.
Important! Incorporation of a company in the Marshalhl Islands is only possible with strict compliance with the tax legislation of your country. The tax authorities of your country must be informed about the existence of your Marshall Islands company and its assets, including the yacht.
Documents Required for Boat Registration
1. Сompleted Form MI-101U for yacht registration, requiring detailed information about the boat, its technical specifications, owner's information (citizenship, residence, contact details, 24-hour emergency contact phone number), and port of registry. We will assist you in preparing the form. Subsequently, this form must be notarized.
2. Proof of yacht ownership, such as:
- Builder's Certificate,
- Bill of Sale,
- Protocol of Delivery,
- Sales Agreement,
- Invoice.
3. If the boat was previously registered: Deletion Certificate plus Certificate of Registry from previous yacht registry.
4. Certificate of No Liens issued by the previous registry (valid for 3 days from issuance). New vessels are exempt from this requirement.
5. Declaration of Private Use – Not for Hire. A document confirming the yacht will be used solely for private purposes, not for charter or any commercial gain.
6. Completed Application for Yacht Radio Station License, requiring list of all radio equipment on board and information about your radio operator license or certificate. We will assist in completing this form.
7. Third-Party Liability + Hull & Machinery Insurance.
8. Proof of payment for first-year registration fees.
9. A Power of Attorney from the company authorizing a representative to perform yacht registration actions. We will assist in preparing one.
During the registration process, the registry may request additional documents about your yacht. Any requested technical information must be provided.
In most cases, a survey is not required. If the registry does request inspection documents, we will recommend several authorized professionals to you, so this will not be a problem.
Optional Services (for Yachts up to 24 Metres)
1. Change the name of the boat – 250 USD
2. Duplicated Certificates of Registry after registration – 300 USD
3. Certificate of Permission for Sale and Re-registration – 250 USD
4. Certificate of Cancellation – 200 USD
5. Certified copy of any document from the ship registry relating to the registration of the boat – 375 USD
6. DHL Courier Delivery – 150 USD
Registration of Private Yachts Over 24 Meters
Yachts for Commercial Use
The Marshall Islands Yacht Registry also allows registration of:
- private yachts over 24 meters,
- commercial yachts,
- passenger yachts,
- yachts under construction.
All types of vessels, from recreational yachts to passenger cruise ships and tankers, can be registered under the Marshall Islands flag.
An individual approach is required when registering such vessels. The larger the vessel, the more requirements apply. Contact us and we will immediately start working with you.
More Information
Yacht registration in the Marshall Islands is carried out by International Registries, Inc. (IRI), with its headquarters located in the United States and its second most important office in Switzerland. There are 28 offices and 500 agents worldwide. We have been working with IRI since 2012.
International Registries, Inc. (IRI) is a private company that provides comprehensive administrative and technical support to the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Maritime and Corporate Registries. The company was founded in 1948 and is the largest non-governmental administrator of a national flag.
The Marshall Islands have two ports of registry: Bikini and Jaluit. Two yachts may have the same name if they are registered in different home ports.
The minimum length for a private yacht must be more than 12 meters. For yachts from 12 to 24 meters, a survey is not required in most cases.
Usually, a private yacht is permitted to carry up to 12 passengers. By meeting additional requirements, the passenger capacity can be increased.
If the boat is older than 20 years, an additional inspection by the Registry Administration of the Marshall Islands will be required.
Radio License (MMSI, call sign). For the period while the yacht is being registered, a temporary radio license valid for 90 days is issued at a cost of 100 USD. During this time, all requirements for obtaining a permanent license must be met. The temporary radio license can be renewed several times. The first renewal costs 125 USD, the second and subsequent renewals cost 150 USD.
A permanent radio license is issued for 4 years, must be renewed thereafter. Its cost is 300 USD, and the renewal price is 200 USD.
It is advisable, even before starting the yacht registration in the Marshall Islands, to coordinate all details regarding your yacht's radio equipment and your radio operator license or certificate with the registry. We will send you a questionnaire and help you complete it.
The Marshall Islands is one of the best states to register a boat. It is particularly convenient for those yachts planning to sail in US and EU territorial waters.
Interesting Facts
The Marshall Islands is a tiny paradise that was transformed into radioactive hell.
The Marshall Islands have been a nuclear testing ground for the USA for years. A total of 67 atomic bombs were detonated here.
The first bomb "Able" was detonated on July 1, 1946 at Bikini Atoll. The military wanted to determine if a nuclear bomb could destroy an entire fleet. For this purpose, 95 real ships, including a captured Japanese aircraft carrier, were brought to the Marshall Islands, and the bomb was detonated. However, the first time they missed; the bomb did not hit the intended target, and as a result, only 5 ships sank.
It was decided to detonate the second nuclear bomb underwater. So, on July 25, 1946, the "Baker" bomb was dropped from a ship and exploded at a depth of 27 meters. The ship from which the bomb was dropped vaporized in the explosion. 6 ships sank immediately, 3 went under within hours. A column of water rose 2.5 kilometers high and crashed down as a radioactive wave onto the target fleet. The explosion generated a 28-meter-high tsunami, some ships were thrown ashore and buried in sand. Yet, half of the ships remained afloat.
In 1954, during the test of the "Castle Bravo" hydrogen bomb, scientists miscalculated the charge's yield, as a result it turned out to be 1,000 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb. The explosion was of terrifying force. Resultantly, three small islands vaporized, and a crater over three kilometers in diameter formed in the lagoon where the explosion occurred. Radioactive death ash fell out on neighboring inhabited islands; all the people received severe radiation exposure and developed radiation sickness.
The "Castle Bravo" bomb became the second most powerful bomb in history. The highest-yield bomb of all the time was detonated by USSR in 1961. The "Tsar Bomba" was 3 times more powerful than "Castle Bravo". Its shockwave circled the globe three times. In a small Soviet town a thousand kilometers from the blast, windows were shattered in houses, and Norwegians and Icelanders saw a second sun in the sky.
In 1963, the countries signed the Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty – an agreement banning all tests of nuclear weapons.
Humans are deeply guilty before our planet.
Summary of Marshall Islands Flag
Favorable Conditions
for Entering USA Waters
for Entering USA Waters
Fast Provisional Radio
License Issuance
License Issuance
World's 3rd Largest
Merchant Fleet
Merchant Fleet
Direct Access to Staff
and Senior Management
and Senior Management
The Oldest Ship Registry
Fully Remote Registration
28 Offices and 500
Agents Worldwide
Agents Worldwide
On the White List
of the Paris MoU
of the Paris MoU
Lifetime Validity with
Annual Renewal
Annual Renewal
24 Hour Support,
Rapid Processing
Rapid Processing
Headquarter is in the USA,
Major Office is in Switzerland
Major Office is in Switzerland
Registration of Yachts
Under Construction
Under Construction
