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 modern, fast, and easy registries in the world. For private yachts up to 24 meters, no survey inspection is required. To obtain a radio license (MMSI, Call Sign), no radio operator's certificate is needed. Registration under the Sierra Leone flag is available to all nationalities.
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 the proposed yacht name, previous name and flag (if any), IMO number, the owner's passport details and current address, 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 a yacht under the Sierra Leone flag. 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 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 submitted correctly, meet registry requirements, and fees 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 the Deletion Certificate.
During the registration process, the yacht registry may request additional 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 would prefer to study the data about your vessel more deeply. Such cases demand individual attention.
In the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration, you can register:
- private yachts over 24 meters,
- commercial yachts,
- passenger yachts,
- vessels under construction,
- laid up vessels.
We will help you to register your vessel under the Sierra Leone flag for these purposes. 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.
More Information
Yacht registration under the Sierra Leone flag takes place at the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMARAD). The head office is located in Cyprus, Limassol city. At the moment, the ship registry has over 30 Registration Officers located worldwide.
The flag of Sierra Leone is internationally recognized and valid worldwide, and is listed on the Paris MoU grey list.
The main Port of Registry is Freetown.
When registering private yachts up to 24 meters, the radio license (MMSI, Call Sign) is issued automatically. No radio operator's certificate is required, there are no strict requirements for radio equipment, and no survey inspection is needed. Everything is done remotely. The boat, yacht, or catamaran can be located anywhere in the world; physical presence in Sierra Leonean waters is not required.
The SLMARAD registry also provides various technical services, seafarers certification and verification of maritime certificates.
Support service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
We are happy to help you complete all registration forms, prepare the necessary documents, pay government fees, and, if needed, courier a polyester Sierra Leone flag for your yacht.
The Sierra Leone ship registry is technologically advanced, 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" and was named for the roar-like thunder of waterfalls – rivers flowing down from the mountains.
The country is famous for its tropical sandy beaches on the Atlantic Ocean coast.
The national cuisine of Sierra Leone is completely devoid of meat.
The country's capital, the city of Freetown, grew from 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, each with its 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 ceremoniously proclaimed a paramount chief of Sierra Leone. This honorary title was bestowed upon him for his contribution to ending the civil war in the region.
Sierra Leone ranks among the TOP 10 diamond-producing countries in the world.
Summary of Sierra Leone Flag
24/7 Support Service
Simple Radio License Registration, No Radio Operator's Certificate Required
Minimal Documentation Required, All Documents
in English
in English
All Types of Yachts Accepted
User-Friendly Ship Registry,
Direct Access to Staff & Management
Direct Access to Staff & Management
No Survey Required
Same-Day Registration
Open to All Nationals (Individual assessment for sanctioned countries)
Global Network of
Registration Officers
Registration Officers
1, 3, or 5-Year Validity for
Registration and Radio License
Registration and Radio License
Advanced IT Systems &
Remote Processing
Remote Processing
Head office is in Cyprus,
Limassol City
Limassol City
