Yacht Registration in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is a country in West Africa, washed by the Atlantic Ocean. The population is 8.1 million people. The official language is English, most residents speak the local Krio language. The currency is Sierra Leonean leone.

The Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMARAD) is one of the most advanced, fastest and easygoing registers in the world. For private yachts up to 24 meters, survey is not required. To obtain a radio license (MMSI, Call Sign), a radio operator's certificate is not required. Registration of the Sierra Leone flag is available for all nationalities.

The yacht registration in Sierra Leone is divided into two steps. The first step is obtaining a provisional registration of the yacht for a period of 6 months. The second step is to obtain permanent registration for a period of 1, 2, 3 or 5 years (at your option).

Registration of Pleasure Yachts up to 24 Meters

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

Documents Required for Boat Registration

1. A completed and signed “Know Your Customer” (KYC) Form. In this form, you need to provide proposed name of the yacht, to enter previous name and flag (if any), IMO number, passport details and actual address of the owner of the yacht, phone, e-mail, etc. We will help you prepare this form.

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

Any foreign person, private or legal, can register the flag of Sierra Leone. The countries under sanctions are discussed individually.

3. A notarized copy of the Builder's Certificate, if the boat is new.

4. A notarized copy of Bill of Sale, if possible.

5. Simplified tonnage Measurement or ITC (International Tonnage Certificate), where applicable.

6. Proof that the vessel is free & clear from all mortgages, encumbrances, and liens. If the previous ship register does not provide this, then a Deletion Certificate or a Non Encumbrance, or a Transcript of Registry will be suitable.

7. Confirmation of payment.

If the documents are not in English, a notarized translation is required.

To obtain a provisional registration, good quality scans in PDF format are sufficient. The process of registration is very fast. If all the documents are duly submitted, they satisfy the register, and are paid, then a provisional registration can be done within 30 minutes.

The second step: obtaining a permanent registration
for a period of 1, 2, 3 or 5 years (at your option)

It is necessary to provide the originals or notarized copies of the following documents to the boat registry within 180 days:

1. The original of “Know Your Customer” (KYC) Form.

2. Notarized Bill of Sale, if possible.

3. The original of Deletion Certificate.

During the registration process, the yacht register can request more documents about your boat. Any requested technical details should be provided.

Yachts for Commercial Use
Registration of Private Yachts Over 24 Meters

All types of vessels, from pleasure yachts to passenger cruise liners, bulk carriers, tankers and oil rigs can be registered under the flag of Sierra Leone.

To register such vessels, you should additionally submit:

1. Recognized Organization (RO) Confirmation Letter;

2. Application for Minimum Safe Manning (MSM) Certificate.

We will help you prepare these documents.

For yachts over 24 meters or for commercial use, we’d prefer to study more deeply into your case. These demand an individual attention.

In the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration, you can register:
- private yachts over 24 meters,
- commercial yachts,
- passenger yachts,
- under construction and newbuilding,
- laid up vessels.

We will help you to register the Sierra Leone flag for these tasks. Just ask!

Registration Procedure

1. The Vessel is submitted for evaluation and name check at the Technical & Registration Department.

2. Evaluation outcome is communicated to the Registration Officer / Applicant.

3. Required documents for provisional registration are submitted to the Registration department.

4. Vessel’s details are inserted in Online Ship Registration Software (OSRS).

5. Provisional Certificate of Registry (COR) and Ship Station License (SSL) are issued by SMLARAD.

6. Registration Department informs the Registration Officer / Applicant to download the Certificates from OSRS.

7. Within 180 days, all required documents for permanent registration to be submitted to the Registration department for the issuance of Permanent Certificates.

Registration of yachts under the Sierra Leone flag takes place at Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMARAD). The head office is located in Cyprus, Limassol city. At the moment, the ship registry has more than 30 Registration Officers all over the world.

The flag of Sierra Leone is internationally recognized and valid worldwide, on the MoU grey list.

The main Port of Registry is Freetown.

Upon registration of private yachts up to 24 meters, a radio license (MMSI, Call Sign) is issued automatically. A radio operator's certificate is not required, there are no hard demands on radio equipment, a survey is not required. Whole process is run remotely. The boat, yacht or catamaran can be located anywhere in the world, physical presence in the waters of Sierra Leone is not required.

Sierra Leone yacht registry also provides technical services, seafarers certification and verification of maritime certificates.

The support service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

We would be happy to help you fill out all registration forms, prepare the necessary documents, pay government fees and, if needed, courier the Sierra Leone polyester flag for your yacht.

The flag of Sierra Leone is technologically advanced Ship Registry, as well as fast and user-friendly.

Interesting Facts

Sierra Leone is one of the most beautiful countries in Africa.

Sierra Leone translated from Portuguese as " Lion Mountains". It was named so because of the growl of waterfalls and rivers flowing down from the mountains, resembling a lion's roar.

The country is famous for its tropical sandy beaches on the Atlantic Ocean.

The national cuisine of Sierra Leone is completely devoid of meat.

The country's capital, Freetown, grew out of a slave market.

Half of the men and three quarters of the women in Sierra Leone are not literate.

Sierra Leone is home to 16 ethnic groups that have their own language and traditions. 90% of the country's population consists of the 20 largest local tribes.

In 2007, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was made an honorary chief of Sierra Leone. He was awarded this title of honor for his contribution to ending a brutal civil war in these lands.

Sierra Leone is one of the TOP 10 diamond mining countries in the world.