Yacht Registration in St. Kitts & Nevis

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

Documents Required for Boat Registration

• 1. Application for provisional registration (A2), where it is necessary to provide detailed information about the yacht, its technical characteristics, where it is currently located, proposed name of the vessel, owner’s contact details, including 24-hour emergency phone number, select the port of registry. We will help you to complete this form.
• 2. A Power of Attorney or a Board Resolution (if necessary) confirming the authority of the person signing the Application Form. We will assist you to prepare one.
• 3. A high-quality copy of the passport of the yacht owner (page with photo) or ID card.
• 4. If the owner of the yacht is a company, we will need the copies of all corporate documents of the company (Certificate of Incorporation, M&AoA, Appointment of the director and shareholders, etc.), including a copy of the director's and shareholder’s passport. If the documents are more than 6 months old, an up-dated extracts from the Register are required (Certificate of Good Standing, etc). The documents must be in English, notarized and apostilled.
• 5. Ownership document for the yacht, such as:
  - Builder Certificate,
  - Bill of Sale,
  - Sales Agreement,
  - Invoice,
  - Court Documents,
  - Protocol of Delivery.
• 6. Deletion Certificate issued by previous boat register, if the yacht was registered earlier.
• 7. Application for MMSI Radio License where it is necessary to list all radio devices on your yacht.
• 8. The scan of a Pleasure Vessel Affidavit signed in the presence of a notary. We will help you prepare this document.
• 9. Confirmation of payment of registration fees.

During the registration, St.Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry may request more documents on your yacht. All requested information should be provided.

When provisional registration is completed, the clock start for further actions begins. The date of provisional registration of your boat be referred as the ‘Date of First Registration’ or the ‘Anniversary Date’, it will be used to calculate when the yacht’s annual taxes are due and when certificates are calculated for expiry.

The second step: obtaining a flag registration
for a period of 4 years

Originals or notarized copies of the following documents should be submitted to the ship registry within 120 days:

• 1. Signed Application Form for provisional registration (A2).
• 2. If the owner of the yacht is an individual, we will need a notarized copy of the passport (page with photo) or ID card of the yacht holder.
• 3. If the owner is a company, we will need the originals or notarized copies of the Certificate of Incorporation, ID of the director, Certificate of Good Standing or similar documents, not more than 6 months old.
• 4. Originals or notarized copies of the ownership for the yacht, such as:
  - Builder Certificate,
  - Bill of Sale, - Sales Agreement,
  - Invoice,
  - Court Documents,
  - Protocol of Delivery.

International Ship Registry SKANReg makes registration of yachts in St.Kitts & Nevis, it’s head office is located in London. The Registry has a network of Maritime Registrars in more than 35 countries. Flag registration in Saint Kitts and Nevis can be done either through the head office in London, or by a Maritime Registrar, or with a help of a registration agent in Nevis. The most convenient way is through the head office in London. The Registry staff, including the senior management, provide prompt response and are readily available for communication.

Provisional registration can be done within a few days, assuming that all documents are in good order and duly submitted online to the Registry.

Important Notice! After receiving the provisional registration, you should get paper documents done for permanent registration. For doing this you have only 120 days.

Permanent registration can be made for 4 years at once and then renewed every 4 years. Optionally, registration can be done for 1 year and renewed once a year.

There are no strict requirements for obtaining MMSI when registering a yacht for private use. The MMSI radio license is included in registration price.

For private yachts under 24 meters, no survey is required.

Documents are accepted in English, that’s quite convenient. Documents in other languages have to be translated into English and notarized. We will explain how to make duly notarized translation.

St. Kitts & Nevis’ flag is internationally recognized and operates worldwide. Registration is available for all nationalities (countries under sanctions are discussed individually).

The Registry is interested in new vessels and provides good discounts upon registration for yachts up to 5 years of age.

Boats over the age of 20 should be inspected by a SKANReg Surveyor. The fee for the survey is paid additionally by the shipowner.

Yacht registration can be for private, commercial or bareboat use. There are no restrictions on the size, tonnage or length of the boat. However, we’d like to get more information about your vessel for commercial or bareboat use, as it requires individual attention. Send e-mail and we’ll study your tasks.

We are glad to help you fill out all registration forms, prepare the necessary documents, pay government fees, and if necessary, to courier St. Kitts and Nevis state flag for your yacht.

Interesting Facts

The islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis were discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493. In the context of population and area, it is the smallest country in the Caribbean and in the whole America. The area of St. Kitts and Nevis is just 261 km², that is 5 times smaller than of London. The coastline is only 135 kilometers long.

There is no native population on the islands, the local people were destroyed by the colonizers as a result of use of force and epidemics. Now the descendants of slaves from Africa live on the islands, who were brought for work on sugar plantations.

The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis consists of two islands. Nevis is more economically developed than Saint Kitts and residents of Nevis are sure that the people of St. Kitts live at their expense. So, in 1998, a referendum on secession from Federation was held in Nevis. 62% voted for independence, but this was not enough, as 2/3 was necessary to succeed.

The currency of Saint Kitts and Nevis is pegged to the US dollar, with 2.7 Eastern Caribbean dollars always equaling 1 dollar US. The highest point of St. Kitts & Nevis is Mount Liamuiga. This is a silent volcano with a crater lake at its peak.

The height of the Liamuiga volcano is 1,156 meters. Today, Liamuiga is a popular tourist destination, as you can see the entire territory of the country and its incredible landscapes from the height of the mountain. The volcano last erupted about 2,000 years ago, but it still releases clouds of gas.

In February 2015, an ultra-modern marina at Christophe Harbor was opened on the island of St. Kitts. Easy to go in and out protected haven is equipped with safe berths and technologically advanced equipment. There are various shops, restaurants, the Park Hyatt hotel, a golf course nearby. Saint Kitts and Nevis is a great choice for yachting and outdoor activities.