Gibraltar vs St Vincent and the Grenadines for yachts
Everything we track for both registers, side by side. Rows neither register has published show a gap rather than an estimate.
Is Gibraltar or St Vincent and the Grenadines cheaper for yacht registration?Link to this section
The registration fee is the entry charge the Gibraltar Yacht Registry sets in the Gibraltar Maritime Administration's Fees Brochure, banded by size, use and tonnage, and the St Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration sets flat for yachts in its Fees and Taxes schedule. Gibraltar renews the Certificate of Registry yearly; St Vincent charges an Annual Tax. WhichFlagToFly dates the Gibraltar and St Vincent fee rows.
| Register | Initial registration fee | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|
| Gibraltar | Registration fees run £254 to £1,264, banded by size, use and tonnage.Fees Brochure, effective from 1st August 2026, Gibraltar Maritime Administrationgibraltarship.com · p. 4Retrieved 2026-08-27Effective 2026-08-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Renewal costs £29, £80 or £125 for each year applied for, by class.Fees Brochure, effective from 1st August 2026, Gibraltar Maritime Administrationgibraltarship.com · p. 4Retrieved 2026-08-27Effective 2026-08-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| St Vincent and the Grenadines | Registration is US$500.00 for a pleasure yacht and US$1,000.00 for a charter or Limited Charter Allowance (LCA) yacht; a change of ownership is US$250.00.Fees and Taxes, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (registry fee schedule published at svg-marad.com/fees.asp) (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · Registration FeesRetrieved 2026-09-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Annual Tax on a yacht is a flat US$250.00 per year.Fees and Taxes, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (registry fee schedule published at svg-marad.com/fees.asp) (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · Annual TaxesRetrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
Which flag is better for EU chartering, Gibraltar or St Vincent and the Grenadines?Link to this section
Charter permission is what a flag lets a yacht do for reward, and the EU maritime cabotage Regulation protects neither. The Gibraltar Yacht Registry runs one register split by use and by size under the Merchant Shipping (Pleasure Yachts) Regulations. St Vincent runs three regimes under its limited-charter circular. See the charter rows.
| Register | Charter permissions | Private and commercial regimes |
|---|---|---|
| Gibraltar | Gibraltar sits outside EU cabotage rights, and US coastwise rules restrict passenger voyages.Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92 of 7 December 1992 applying the principle of freedom to provide services to maritime transport within Member States (maritime cabotage), EUR-Lexeur-lex.europa.eu · Art. 1(1)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | One register, split into three fee classes by use and by the 24 meter line.Gibraltar Merchant Shipping (Pleasure Yachts) Regulations, 1997 (LN. 1997/153), consolidated text at the current version 18/04/2024, gibraltarlaws.gov.gi (Government of Gibraltar)www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi · reg. 4(1)(c)(ii)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| St Vincent and the Grenadines | Coastal states decide; the EU cabotage freedom does not extend to this flag, and charter in home waters is barred.Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92 of 7 December 1992 applying the principle of freedom to provide services to maritime transport within Member States (maritime cabotage), EUR-Lexeur-lex.europa.eu · Art. 1(1)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Three regimes, including a Limited Charter Allowance of 84 days a year for private yachts.Circular YAT 005 Rev 3, Pleasure (Private) Yachts With Limited Charter Allowance, 20 February 2019, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · Section IRetrieved 2026-08-27Effective 2019-02-20Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
How does VAT differ between Gibraltar and St Vincent and the Grenadines?Link to this section
Import VAT is the tax charged on a yacht entering a tax territory. Gibraltar has no VAT, and HM Government of Gibraltar states that its Transaction Tax on goods is not a value added tax. St Vincent and the Grenadines charge VAT under their own Value Added Tax Act at the categories the Inland Revenue Department publishes. See the VAT rows.
| Register | VAT rate | Basis for VAT on import |
|---|---|---|
| Gibraltar | Gibraltar has no VAT. A Transaction Tax on goods, not services, replaces import duty; yachts appear in neither its reduced nor its super-reduced rate table.Government corrects transaction tax misinformation, press release 201/2026, HM Government of Gibraltarwww.gibraltar.gov.gi · press release 201/2026Retrieved 2026-09-12Effective 2026-07-15Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Transaction Tax on imports is charged on customs value plus duties, transport and insurance.Treaty on Gibraltar and the European Union Act 2026 (Act No. 2026-11), consolidated text at the current version 15/07/2026 (amendments listed to LN. 2026/204), gibraltarlaws.gov.gi (Government of Gibraltar)www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi · s. 98(1)Retrieved 2026-08-29Effective 2026-07-15Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| St Vincent and the Grenadines | VAT is 16 percent standard and 11 percent on accommodation, with zero-rated and exempt categories alongside.Taxes, Inland Revenue Department, Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesird.gov.vc · What is the current rate?Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Import VAT applies to customs value plus freight, insurance and duty, and yachts carry 20 percent import duty.Value Added Tax Act No. 25 of 2006, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Government Printer, Campden Park), read from the Organization of American States Departamento de Derecho Internacional repositorywww.oas.org · s. 26(1)(a)Retrieved 2026-08-27Effective 2023-01-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
Which register is faster, Gibraltar or St Vincent and the Grenadines?Link to this section
Provisional registration is short-term entry before the full certificate. The Gibraltar Yacht Registry grants it under the Merchant Shipping (Pleasure Yachts) Regulations, which also fix the deadline for completing the file, and publishes a document turnaround. St Vincent enters yachts provisionally through the proper officer and publishes no processing time. Compare the timeline rows.
| Register | Provisional registration | Time to full registration |
|---|---|---|
| Gibraltar | Provisional registration lasts ninety days, extendable to 180 days in total.Gibraltar Merchant Shipping (Pleasure Yachts) Regulations, 1997 (LN. 1997/153), consolidated text at the current version 18/04/2024, gibraltarlaws.gov.gi (Government of Gibraltar)www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi · reg. 22(1)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | The registry publishes a 24 hour turnaround on official documents, and full registration must follow provisional within ninety days, or 180 with an extension.Gibraltar Merchant Shipping (Pleasure Yachts) Regulations, 1997 (LN. 1997/153), consolidated text at the current version 18/04/2024, gibraltarlaws.gov.gi (Government of Gibraltar)www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi · reg. 22(1)(b)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| St Vincent and the Grenadines | Provisional certificates run six months, extendable by a further six, and are issued abroad.Shipping Act 2004 (No. 11 of 2004), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, as published by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · s. 28(1)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Twelve months on a provisional certificate is the outer limit; no processing time is published.Shipping Act 2004 (No. 11 of 2004), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, as published by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · s. 28(3)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
How should an owner choose between Gibraltar and St Vincent and the Grenadines?Link to this section
Gibraltar or St Vincent and the Grenadines follows the cruising plan and the port state control record it exposes the yacht to, whether she will be used for hire, and how the owning entity is formed. A specialist can weigh both administrations against those.
At a glance
The dimensions owners decide on, taken from the rows below. Follow a label to the row it came from and its source.
| Dimension | Gibraltar | St Vincent and the Grenadines |
|---|---|---|
| Red Ensign Group | Yes | No |
| Time to full registration | 180 days | 365 days |
Cost and timing, compared
Bars drawn from the published rows on this page. Figures are never converted between currencies and never estimated. Where one register publishes nothing comparable, there is no chart.
Time to full registration, compared
The longest window each register publishes for completing registration, in days. What that window is differs by register. Each one's own description is in the table below.
| Register | Figure | What it covers | Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gibraltar | 180 days | statutory deadline | Time to full registration |
| St Vincent and the Grenadines | 365 days | statutory outer limit on provisional registration | Time to full registration |
Registers measure time differently, and a service turnaround is not a statutory deadline. Only day counts of the same kind are charted together. Each register's full wording is in the table on this page.
Line by line
| Item | GIGibraltarGibraltar Yacht Registry | VCSt Vincent and the GrenadinesSt Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | ||
| Who may own a registered vessel | A majority interest must sit with qualified owners; non-resident owners appoint a representative person and registered agent.Gibraltar Merchant Shipping (Pleasure Yachts) Regulations, 1997 (LN. 1997/153), consolidated text at the current version 18/04/2024, gibraltarlaws.gov.gi (Government of Gibraltar)www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi · reg. 4(1)(b)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Foreign companies register through a registered agent in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; a foreign individual is not a qualified owner. Keeping the agent typically costs an estimated US$900 to US$2,100 a year on providers' published prices.Shipping Act 2004 (No. 11 of 2004), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, as published by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · s. 6(1)Retrieved 2026-09-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Which vessels qualify | There is no age limit: yachts of any age register if seaworthy, and refusal turns on condition, sanctions, a prohibited class or unpaid fees.Gibraltar Merchant Shipping (Pleasure Yachts) Regulations, 1997 (LN. 1997/153), consolidated text at the current version 18/04/2024, gibraltarlaws.gov.gi (Government of Gibraltar)www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi · reg. 4(1)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Vessels older than 18 years (15 for tankers) need a preliminary Flag State survey and the Administration's special consideration before registration; it is not an automatic bar.Circular REG 001 Rev. 1, Additional procedure for registration and change of Flag surveys, 10 September 2014, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · para. 1Retrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2014-09-10Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Private and commercial regimes | One register, split into three fee classes by use and by the 24 meter line.Gibraltar Merchant Shipping (Pleasure Yachts) Regulations, 1997 (LN. 1997/153), consolidated text at the current version 18/04/2024, gibraltarlaws.gov.gi (Government of Gibraltar)www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi · reg. 4(1)(c)(ii)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Three regimes, including a Limited Charter Allowance of 84 days a year for private yachts.Circular YAT 005 Rev 3, Pleasure (Private) Yachts With Limited Charter Allowance, 20 February 2019, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · Section IRetrieved 2026-08-27Effective 2019-02-20Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Initial registration fee | Registration fees run £254 to £1,264, banded by size, use and tonnage.Fees Brochure, effective from 1st August 2026, Gibraltar Maritime Administrationgibraltarship.com · p. 4Retrieved 2026-08-27Effective 2026-08-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Registration is US$500.00 for a pleasure yacht and US$1,000.00 for a charter or Limited Charter Allowance (LCA) yacht; a change of ownership is US$250.00.Fees and Taxes, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (registry fee schedule published at svg-marad.com/fees.asp) (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · Registration FeesRetrieved 2026-09-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Annual fee | Renewal costs £29, £80 or £125 for each year applied for, by class.Fees Brochure, effective from 1st August 2026, Gibraltar Maritime Administrationgibraltarship.com · p. 4Retrieved 2026-08-27Effective 2026-08-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Annual Tax on a yacht is a flat US$250.00 per year.Fees and Taxes, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (registry fee schedule published at svg-marad.com/fees.asp) (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · Annual TaxesRetrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Tonnage dues | A private pleasure yacht pays no Annual Tonnage Tax, only the £80 annual renewal; a commercial yacht pays £2,000 to £6,000 a year by tonnage.Fees Brochure, effective from 1st August 2026, Gibraltar Maritime Administrationgibraltarship.com · Annual Tonnage Tax, Table 1Retrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2026-08-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Yachts pay a flat US$250.00 annual tax whatever their tonnage, with two years due before registration.Fees and Taxes, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (registry fee schedule published at svg-marad.com/fees.asp) (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · Annual TaxesRetrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Provisional registration | Provisional registration lasts ninety days, extendable to 180 days in total.Gibraltar Merchant Shipping (Pleasure Yachts) Regulations, 1997 (LN. 1997/153), consolidated text at the current version 18/04/2024, gibraltarlaws.gov.gi (Government of Gibraltar)www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi · reg. 22(1)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Provisional certificates run six months, extendable by a further six, and are issued abroad.Shipping Act 2004 (No. 11 of 2004), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, as published by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · s. 28(1)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Time to full registration | The registry publishes a 24 hour turnaround on official documents, and full registration must follow provisional within ninety days, or 180 with an extension.Gibraltar Merchant Shipping (Pleasure Yachts) Regulations, 1997 (LN. 1997/153), consolidated text at the current version 18/04/2024, gibraltarlaws.gov.gi (Government of Gibraltar)www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi · reg. 22(1)(b)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Twelve months on a provisional certificate is the outer limit; no processing time is published.Shipping Act 2004 (No. 11 of 2004), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, as published by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · s. 28(3)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Mortgage registration | Mortgages rank by the date and time of recording; fees run £87 to £225.Gibraltar Merchant Shipping (Pleasure Yachts) Regulations, 1997 (LN. 1997/153), consolidated text at the current version 18/04/2024, gibraltarlaws.gov.gi (Government of Gibraltar)www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi · reg. 53Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Mortgages rank strictly by order of registration; a registered ban on further mortgages makes any breach null and void.Shipping Act 2004 (No. 11 of 2004), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, as published by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · s. 68(1)Retrieved 2026-09-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Survey requirements | A tonnage certificate and a class or seaworthiness certificate dated within ten days are required at registration, yachts of 24 m and over must be classed (Large Yacht Code for those carrying no more than 12 passengers, Passenger Yacht Code above that), and an existing LY3 certification stays valid with no Gibraltar cut-off.Survey of Commercial Yachts, Gibraltar Maritime Administration (gibraltarship.com)gibraltarship.comRetrieved 2026-09-02Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | A pre-registration tonnage survey applies, then renewal surveys every five years and dry docking every 36 months.Shipping Act 2004 (No. 11 of 2004), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, as published by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · s. 14(1)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| MCA code equivalents | Gibraltar applies the REG Yacht Code Part A rather than writing a code of its own.Shipping Information Notice 124, The Red Ensign Group (REG) Yacht Code Part A, issued 10 July 2025 by the Chief Surveyor, Gibraltar Maritime Administrationgibraltarship.comRetrieved 2026-08-27Effective 2025-07-10Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | The flag applies its own yacht codes, accepting the UK Large Yacht Code LY3 as equivalent to the Load Line Convention.Safety Code of Practice for Pleasure Yachts Engaged in Commercial Trade, SVG Code Edition 2008 Rev. 7, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · § 4.2.2Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Charter permissions | Gibraltar sits outside EU cabotage rights, and US coastwise rules restrict passenger voyages.Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92 of 7 December 1992 applying the principle of freedom to provide services to maritime transport within Member States (maritime cabotage), EUR-Lexeur-lex.europa.eu · Art. 1(1)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Coastal states decide; the EU cabotage freedom does not extend to this flag, and charter in home waters is barred.Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92 of 7 December 1992 applying the principle of freedom to provide services to maritime transport within Member States (maritime cabotage), EUR-Lexeur-lex.europa.eu · Art. 1(1)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Crew certification requirements | STCW applies to Gibraltar ships except pleasure yachts not engaged in trade; UK-MCA certificates are recognized.Gibraltar Merchant Shipping (Manning, Training and Certification for Seafarers) Regulations 2006 (LN. 2006/023), consolidated text, gibraltarlaws.gov.giwww.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi · reg. 3(1)(a)Retrieved 2026-08-27Effective 2006-04-06Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | STCW or MCA officer certificates must carry a flag endorsement, alongside a Safe Manning Document.Shipping Act 2004 (No. 11 of 2004), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, as published by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · s. 99(1)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Maritime Labour Convention applicability | The MLC catches yachts ordinarily engaged in commercial activity and leaves private yachts out.Gibraltar Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) Regulations 2013 (LN. 2013/120), consolidated text, gibraltarlaws.gov.giwww.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi · reg. 3(1)(a)Retrieved 2026-08-27Effective 2013-08-20Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Commercial yachts meet the MLC at any tonnage; certification is voluntary, inspection falls every three years.Safety Code of Practice for Pleasure Yachts Engaged in Commercial Trade, SVG Code Edition 2008 Rev. 7, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · § 14.8.1Retrieved 2026-09-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Paris MoU standing | White List, rank 28, with 250 inspections and 6 detentions across 2023 to 2025.Performance Lists, Paris MoU 2025 Annual Report (published 1 July 2026), Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Controlparismou.org · Flag Performance – White ListRetrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Grey List, rank 54, with 245 inspections and 19 detentions across 2023 to 2025.Performance Lists, Paris MoU 2025 Annual Report (published 1 July 2026), Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Controlparismou.org · Flag Performance – Grey ListRetrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Documents required | A declaration of ownership, a builder's certificate or bill of sale, the registered agent's appointment and a tonnage certificate are required.Gibraltar Merchant Shipping (Pleasure Yachts) Regulations, 1997 (LN. 1997/153), consolidated text at the current version 18/04/2024, gibraltarlaws.gov.gi (Government of Gibraltar)www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi · reg. 15(3)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | A bill of sale, corporate good standing certificate, tonnage certificate, P&I entry and an inspection report are required.PRO 005, Procedure for the Registration of Pleasure Yachts from 24m up to 500 GT with No Charter Allowance, 15 June 2015, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · Administrative requirementsRetrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Renewal cycle | Registration lasts one year and renews for one to five years; sixty days late means termination.Gibraltar Merchant Shipping (Pleasure Yachts) Regulations, 1997 (LN. 1997/153), consolidated text at the current version 18/04/2024, gibraltarlaws.gov.gi (Government of Gibraltar)www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi · reg. 28(1)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Tax falls annually at US$250.00, while compliance documents run five years.Shipping Act 2004 (No. 11 of 2004), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, as published by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · s. 9(1)(b)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Deregistration process | Owners must notify loss or a disqualifying transfer immediately; transfer out needs every mortgagee's consent.Gibraltar Merchant Shipping (Pleasure Yachts) Regulations, 1997 (LN. 1997/153), consolidated text at the current version 18/04/2024, gibraltarlaws.gov.gi (Government of Gibraltar)www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi · reg. 41(1)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Owners may close registration voluntarily, but mortgagees must be notified and can block it outright.Shipping Act 2004 (No. 11 of 2004), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, as published by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · s. 9(1)(d)Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Register size | Over 900 active pleasure yachts, a floor the registry has published since at least November 2023; we estimate roughly 900 to 1,000.Yacht Registration, The Gibraltar Yacht Registry, Gibraltar Maritime Administration (gibraltarship.com)gibraltarship.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | 788 ships and 2.63 million deadweight tonnes on UNCTAD figures; the register itself publishes no fleet count.Maritime profile: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, UNCTAD Data Hub (UNCTADstat country profile), United Nations Conference on Trade and Developmentunctadstat.unctad.org · Maritime key figures for 2024Retrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2024-01-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Red Ensign Group membership | Member of the Red Ensign Group, on its Category 1 list, which takes ships of unlimited tonnage and type.Red Ensign Group, 'Who we are' (About the Red Ensign Group), redensigngroup.orgwww.redensigngroup.org · Who we are, Category 1Retrieved 2026-09-09Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Not a member of the Red Ensign Group, whose published membership is the United Kingdom, the Crown Dependencies and the UK Overseas Territories that operate shipping registers.Red Ensign Group, 'Who we are' (About the Red Ensign Group), redensigngroup.orgwww.redensigngroup.org · Who we are, membership paragraph and both category listsRetrieved 2026-09-09Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| VAT & importation | ||
| VAT rate | Gibraltar has no VAT. A Transaction Tax on goods, not services, replaces import duty; yachts appear in neither its reduced nor its super-reduced rate table.Government corrects transaction tax misinformation, press release 201/2026, HM Government of Gibraltarwww.gibraltar.gov.gi · press release 201/2026Retrieved 2026-09-12Effective 2026-07-15Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | VAT is 16 percent standard and 11 percent on accommodation, with zero-rated and exempt categories alongside.Taxes, Inland Revenue Department, Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesird.gov.vc · What is the current rate?Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Basis for VAT on import | Transaction Tax on imports is charged on customs value plus duties, transport and insurance.Treaty on Gibraltar and the European Union Act 2026 (Act No. 2026-11), consolidated text at the current version 15/07/2026 (amendments listed to LN. 2026/204), gibraltarlaws.gov.gi (Government of Gibraltar)www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi · s. 98(1)Retrieved 2026-08-29Effective 2026-07-15Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Import VAT applies to customs value plus freight, insurance and duty, and yachts carry 20 percent import duty.Value Added Tax Act No. 25 of 2006, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Government Printer, Campden Park), read from the Organization of American States Departamento de Derecho Internacional repositorywww.oas.org · s. 26(1)(a)Retrieved 2026-08-27Effective 2023-01-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Temporary admission rules | EU temporary admission allows 18 months for boats registered and owned outside the EU.Guidance Note for Pleasure Craft, TAXUD.A.1.003/EC, Brussels, 30 April 2026, European Commission, Directorate-General Taxation and Customs Union (Customs policy)taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu · FAQ 18Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | A non-EU flag qualifies for 18 months of EU temporary admission free of duty and VAT.Guidance Note for Pleasure Craft, TAXUD.A.1.003/EC, Brussels, 30 April 2026, European Commission, Directorate-General Taxation and Customs Union (Customs policy)taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu · FAQ 14Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Leasing scheme status | No leasing scheme exists; the Transaction Tax reaches goods only, never services.Government corrects transaction tax misinformation, press release 201/2026, HM Government of Gibraltarwww.gibraltar.gov.giRetrieved 2026-08-27Effective 2026-07-15Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | No leasing scheme exists; charter hire is taxed by where the yacht is actually used.Value Added Tax Act No. 25 of 2006, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Government Printer, Campden Park), read from the Organization of American States Departamento de Derecho Internacional repositorywww.oas.org · s. 14(5)(a)Retrieved 2026-08-27Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Commercial exemption paths | Goods carrying a mandatory EU VAT exemption are exempt, which covers commercial high-seas vessels.Treaty on Gibraltar and the European Union Act 2026 (Act No. 2026-11), consolidated text at the current version 15/07/2026 (amendments listed to LN. 2026/204), gibraltarlaws.gov.gi (Government of Gibraltar)www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi · s. 101(1)Retrieved 2026-08-29Effective 2026-07-15Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Exemption follows international transport, not commercial registration, covering ship's stores, repairs and handling.Value Added Tax Act No. 25 of 2006, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Government Printer, Campden Park), read from the Organization of American States Departamento de Derecho Internacional repositorywww.oas.org · Schedule 4, item 24Retrieved 2026-08-27Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Evidence of VAT-paid status | Flag and registration are irrelevant to Union status; proof comes from T2L documents or a VAT-paid invoice.Guidance Note for Pleasure Craft, TAXUD.A.1.003/EC, Brussels, 30 April 2026, European Commission, Directorate-General Taxation and Customs Union (Customs policy)taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu · FAQ 6Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | No VAT-paid certificate exists; a T2L document or invoice with proof of VAT payment serves instead.Guidance Note for Pleasure Craft, TAXUD.A.1.003/EC, Brussels, 30 April 2026, European Commission, Directorate-General Taxation and Customs Union (Customs policy)taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu · FAQ 1Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Returned goods relief after Brexit | Returned goods relief covers Union-status boats taken out of the EU on or prior to 31 December 2020 and re-imported in the same state by the same person within three years of export, a window that ordinarily closed by 31 December 2023; separately, since July 2026 Gibraltar sits in a customs union with the EU under the 2026 Treaty Act while remaining a customs territory separate from the Union's.Guidance Note for Pleasure Craft, TAXUD.A.1.003/EC, Brussels, 30 April 2026, European Commission, Directorate-General Taxation and Customs Union (Customs policy)taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu · FAQ 9Retrieved 2026-09-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Returned goods relief needs re-import within three years by the same person, plus a Brexit-era special case.Guidance Note for Pleasure Craft, TAXUD.A.1.003/EC, Brussels, 30 April 2026, European Commission, Directorate-General Taxation and Customs Union (Customs policy)taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu · FAQ 8Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Yacht management | ||
| Fee model | Management houses typically charge a fixed monthly retainer scaled to the yacht's size (market guidance puts it at roughly €1,500 to 15,000 or more a month by size) or a share of the operating budget, with charter management charged separately at typically 15 to 20 percent of charter revenue.breezeYachting.swiss - Professional Yacht Management Companies and Their Feeswww.breezeyachting.swissRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2025-10-25Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Management houses typically charge a fixed monthly retainer scaled to the yacht's size (market guidance puts it at roughly €1,500 to 15,000 or more a month by size) or a share of the operating budget, with charter management charged separately at typically 15 to 20 percent of charter revenue.breezeYachting.swiss - Professional Yacht Management Companies and Their Feeswww.breezeyachting.swissRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2025-10-25Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Fleet size under management | Established management houses typically run fleets of roughly a dozen to 80 yachts, with an industry average of about 24 under management.SuperyachtNews / The Superyacht Group - The Superyacht Management Reportwww.superyachtnews.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2017-06-12Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Established management houses typically run fleets of roughly a dozen to 80 yachts, with an industry average of about 24 under management.SuperyachtNews / The Superyacht Group - The Superyacht Management Reportwww.superyachtnews.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2017-06-12Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| ISM document of compliance holder | Gibraltar keeps ISM audits and certification in-house rather than delegating them to classification societies.Survey of Commercial Yachts, Gibraltar Maritime Administration (gibraltarship.com)gibraltarship.comRetrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Commercial yachts of 500 GT and over file copies of the ISM Document of Compliance and Declaration of Company at registration.PRO 002, Procedure for the Registration of Commercial Yachts from 500 GT and over, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (last update 25/06/2026) (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · Technical requirementsRetrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Crew payroll services | Crew payroll administration is a standard part of a full management mandate, normally run through a dedicated MLC-compliant crew employment company rather than the owning entity.Fraser - Yacht Management Serviceswww.fraseryachts.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Crew payroll administration is a standard part of a full management mandate, normally run through a dedicated MLC-compliant crew employment company rather than the owning entity.Fraser - Yacht Management Serviceswww.fraseryachts.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Jurisdictions served | Management houses routinely operate across multiple flag states, holding Documents of Compliance from several administrations rather than tying owners to one register.Fraser - Yacht Management Serviceswww.fraseryachts.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Management houses routinely operate across multiple flag states, holding Documents of Compliance from several administrations rather than tying owners to one register.Fraser - Yacht Management Serviceswww.fraseryachts.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Marine insurance | ||
| Wreck removal insurance | Wreck removal insurance and a certificate from the Maritime Administrator are compulsory for any Gibraltar vessel of 300 GT or more.Wreck Removal Convention Regulations 2015 (LN. 2015/070), Second Supplement to the Gibraltar Gazette No. 4164 of 16 April 2015, gibraltarlaws.gov.gi (Government of Gibraltar)www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi · s. 179J(1) (Merchant Shipping Act, as inserted)Retrieved 2026-08-29Effective 2015-04-16Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has ratified the Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention, so compulsory wreck-removal insurance applies.Status of IMO Treaties, summary of status of conventions ('x-Status.xlsx'), as at 25 August 2026, International Maritime Organizationwwwcdn.imo.org · NAIROBI WRC 2007, section II (Contracting States), p. 572Retrieved 2026-08-28Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Passenger liability regime | The Athens passenger liability insurance duty applies in Gibraltar, but not to a ship licensed to carry no more than 12 passengers.Gibraltar Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Passengers by Sea) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (LN. 2020/410), consolidated text, gibraltarlaws.gov.gi (Government of Gibraltar)www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi · preambleRetrieved 2026-08-29Effective 2021-01-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has not ratified the Athens passenger liability convention or its protocols.Status of IMO Treaties, summary of status of conventions ('x-Status.xlsx'), as at 25 August 2026, International Maritime Organizationwwwcdn.imo.org · PAL 1974 to PAL PROT 2002, II. Contracting States tables, pp. 359-379Retrieved 2026-08-28Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Crew placement | ||
| Placement fee model | Crew agencies charge the yacht, not the crew member: typically about one month's gross salary for a permanent placement and 20 percent of earnings for temporary work.Northrop and Johnson Crew Services - Terms and Conditions (2023)cdn.northropandjohnson.com · FeesRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Crew agencies charge the yacht, not the crew member: typically about one month's gross salary for a permanent placement and 20 percent of earnings for temporary work.Northrop and Johnson Crew Services - Terms and Conditions (2023)cdn.northropandjohnson.com · FeesRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Crew pool coverage | On published figures, the main crew agencies each hold databases of roughly 40,000 to 50,000 registered candidates, so coverage is effectively global and differentiation is about screening, not database size.The Crew Network (Fraser) - Looking for Crewwww.crewnetwork.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | On published figures, the main crew agencies each hold databases of roughly 40,000 to 50,000 registered candidates, so coverage is effectively global and differentiation is about screening, not database size.The Crew Network (Fraser) - Looking for Crewwww.crewnetwork.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| MLC compliance support | Gibraltar keeps yacht MLC surveys itself and issues a Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (DMLC) Parts I and II to every commercial yacht, with a Statement of Compliance below 500 GT.Survey of Commercial Yachts, Gibraltar Maritime Administration (gibraltarship.com)gibraltarship.comRetrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Commercial yachts need an MLC inspection every three years; the Maritime Labour Certificate itself is voluntary.Safety Code of Practice for Pleasure Yachts Engaged in Commercial Trade, SVG Code Edition 2008 Rev. 7, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · § 14.8Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Payroll administration offered | Crew agencies commonly offer payroll administration as an add-on to placement, usually bundled with MLC-compliant employment contracts, tax withholding and visas.Fraser - Yacht Crew Recruitment (The Crew Network)www.fraseryachts.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Crew agencies commonly offer payroll administration as an add-on to placement, usually bundled with MLC-compliant employment contracts, tax withholding and visas.Fraser - Yacht Crew Recruitment (The Crew Network)www.fraseryachts.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Notice and replacement terms | Agencies typically guarantee a free replacement if a permanent crew member leaves within 60 to 90 days, with the leading houses extending that to 180 days.Northrop and Johnson Crew Services - Terms and Conditions (2023)cdn.northropandjohnson.com · Replacement guaranteeRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Agencies typically guarantee a free replacement if a permanent crew member leaves within 60 to 90 days, with the leading houses extending that to 180 days.Northrop and Johnson Crew Services - Terms and Conditions (2023)cdn.northropandjohnson.com · Replacement guaranteeRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Refit & yard works | ||
| Yard network coverage | Refits are routed to a handful of established yard clusters in the Mediterranean, northern Europe, Turkey and the US, with the owner's team tendering the specification across several yards.Hill Robinson - Why Palma is still a leading hub for superyacht refit and maintenancehillrobinson.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2026-02-25Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Refits are routed to a handful of established yard clusters in the Mediterranean, northern Europe, Turkey and the US, with the owner's team tendering the specification across several yards.Hill Robinson - Why Palma is still a leading hub for superyacht refit and maintenancehillrobinson.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2026-02-25Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Project management model | The market standard is a dedicated owner's representative or project manager, independent of the yard, running the refit from specification through tender and on-site supervision to redelivery.Superyacht Partners - Yacht Refit Management Serviceswww.superyachtpartners.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | The market standard is a dedicated owner's representative or project manager, independent of the yard, running the refit from specification through tender and on-site supervision to redelivery.Superyacht Partners - Yacht Refit Management Serviceswww.superyachtpartners.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Refit fee structure | As a market estimate, refit project management is charged as a percentage of contract value, about 4 to 8 percent on the one published example (€200,000 to 400,000 on a €5 million refit), or on a day rate for shorter jobs.The First Owner's Reference - Superyacht refit cost: when to refit, when to sellfirstownersreference.com · 06 RefitRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2026-05-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | As a market estimate, refit project management is charged as a percentage of contract value, about 4 to 8 percent on the one published example (€200,000 to 400,000 on a €5 million refit), or on a day rate for shorter jobs.The First Owner's Reference - Superyacht refit cost: when to refit, when to sellfirstownersreference.com · 06 RefitRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2026-05-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Survey oversight offered | Independent survey oversight during a refit is a standard offering, with milestone inspections tied to payment stages and a handover inspection at redelivery.Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association (YDSA) - Types of Surveywww.ydsa.co.uk · Supervision of Construction or RepairsRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Independent survey oversight during a refit is a standard offering, with milestone inspections tied to payment stages and a handover inspection at redelivery.Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association (YDSA) - Types of Surveywww.ydsa.co.uk · Supervision of Construction or RepairsRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Warranty handling | Refit yards typically warrant materials and workmanship for twelve months from redelivery, with outstanding items tracked on a snag list and a retention held until they are closed.Gard (P&I club) - Warranty claims in shipbuilding contractsgard.no · Recommendations and checklistsRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2015-03-25Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Refit yards typically warrant materials and workmanship for twelve months from redelivery, with outstanding items tracked on a snag list and a retention held until they are closed.Gard (P&I club) - Warranty claims in shipbuilding contractsgard.no · Recommendations and checklistsRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2015-03-25Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Pre-buy survey | ||
| Survey scope options | A pre-purchase survey is normally a full condition survey of hull, machinery and systems, with sea trial, haul-out, engine survey, rig, oil analysis and ultrasonic gauging as separately priced extras.Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association (YDSA) - Types of Surveywww.ydsa.co.ukRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | A pre-purchase survey is normally a full condition survey of hull, machinery and systems, with sea trial, haul-out, engine survey, rig, oil analysis and ultrasonic gauging as separately priced extras.Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association (YDSA) - Types of Surveywww.ydsa.co.ukRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Survey fee structure | Surveyors typically charge per foot on smaller yachts (one published US rate card is US$28 to 30 per foot), moving to day rates or a fixed fee on superyachts, with haul-out, travel and lab testing billed separately.Boston Marine Surveyors - published rate cardbostonmarinesurveyors.com · RatesRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Surveyors typically charge per foot on smaller yachts (one published US rate card is US$28 to 30 per foot), moving to day rates or a fixed fee on superyachts, with haul-out, travel and lab testing billed separately.Boston Marine Surveyors - published rate cardbostonmarinesurveyors.com · RatesRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Time to survey report | Surveyors typically deliver the written report within three to five business days of the inspection, after a verbal debrief on the day.Capt. F.K. Lanier and Associates - Marine Survey FAQcaptfklanier.com · FAQ-7Retrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Surveyors typically deliver the written report within three to five business days of the inspection, after a verbal debrief on the day.Capt. F.K. Lanier and Associates - Marine Survey FAQcaptfklanier.com · FAQ-7Retrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Class records review | On large yachts a review of class records, survey status and flag certificates is standard scope alongside the physical survey.JMS Yachting - Superyacht Pre-Purchase Surveywww.jmsyachting.com · Onboard documentation auditRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2025-09-03Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | On large yachts a review of class records, survey status and flag certificates is standard scope alongside the physical survey.JMS Yachting - Superyacht Pre-Purchase Surveywww.jmsyachting.com · Onboard documentation auditRetrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2025-09-03Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Sea trial attendance | Sea trial attendance is standard on a pre-purchase survey, though whether it is inside the quoted fee or billed separately varies by surveyor.Boston Marine Surveyors - published rate cardbostonmarinesurveyors.com · RatesRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Sea trial attendance is standard on a pre-purchase survey, though whether it is inside the quoted fee or billed separately varies by surveyor.Boston Marine Surveyors - published rate cardbostonmarinesurveyors.com · RatesRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Ownership structuring | ||
| Owning company minimum capital | A Gibraltar private company has no minimum share capital; only public companies face a floor, of £20,500 allotted capital.Companies Act 2014 (Act No. 2014-19), consolidated text, gibraltarlaws.gov.gi (Government of Gibraltar)www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi · s. 135(2)Retrieved 2026-08-29Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | No minimum capital applies; a company states authorized capital only if it has one, and pays US$125.00 to incorporate.International Business Companies (Amendment and Consolidation) Act, Chapter 149 (Act No. 34 of 2007, as amended by Act No. 48 of 2007; short title changed to Business Companies (Amendment and Consolidation) Act by Act No. 36 of 2018), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, WIPO Lexwww.wipo.int · s. 31Retrieved 2026-08-29Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Beneficial ownership disclosure | Beneficial owners are filed with a central register within 30 days, and the public can see name, birth month and year, nationality, residence and the interest.Register of Ultimate Beneficial Owners, Nominators and Appointors Regulations 2017 (LN. 2017/122), consolidated text, gibraltarlaws.gov.gi (Government of Gibraltar)www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi · reg. 4Retrieved 2026-08-29Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Beneficial ownership goes to the licensed registered agent before incorporation; there is no central beneficial ownership register, public or non-public, and bearer shares are not permitted.Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 4th Round Mutual Evaluation Report, Caribbean Financial Action Task Force, adopted at the CFATF November 2023 Plenary in Aruba, as published by the FATF (archived copy)www.fatf-gafi.org (web.archive.org) · para. 27Retrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Crew employment & payroll | ||
| Seafarer employment agreements | Every seafarer on a commercial yacht needs a signed written employment agreement, and early termination normally requires at least seven days' notice.Gibraltar Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) Regulations 2013 (LN. 2013/120), consolidated text, gibraltarlaws.gov.giwww.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi · reg. 11(1)Retrieved 2026-08-29Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Every seafarer needs a written employment agreement meeting MLC Standard A2.1, with seven days minimum notice to end it early.Circular MLC 002 Rev. 8, Procedures for Maritime Labour Convention Certification, effective 26 December 2020, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · DMLC Part I, item 4Retrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2020-12-26Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Crew social security | Crew on a Gibraltar commercial ship who are Gibraltar-resident, EU nationals without home-state cover, or otherwise without MLC-standard social security count as in insurable employment in Gibraltar, so both crew member and shipowner pay contributions.Gibraltar Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) Regulations 2013 (LN. 2013/120), consolidated text, gibraltarlaws.gov.giwww.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi · reg. 32(2)Retrieved 2026-08-29Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Crew not resident in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines owe no national insurance there; for crew within the scheme, contributions are 14 percent of insurable earnings in 2026 (7.5 percent employer, 6.5 percent employee) up to EC$1,200 a week.National Insurance Act, Chapter 296 (Act No. 33 of 1986 as amended), Laws of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Revised Edition, published by National Insurance Services (archived copy)nissvg.org (web.archive.org) · Second Schedule, item 2(a)Retrieved 2026-09-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Compliance (ISM/ISPS/MLC) | ||
| Commercial yacht code applied | Commercial yachts of 24 m and over, carrying up to 12 passengers, are surveyed against the Red Ensign Group Yacht Code Part A.The Red Ensign Group Yacht Code, Part A: Large Yachts, July 2024 Edition, Red Ensign Groupwww.redensigngroup.org · § 1.2(1)Retrieved 2026-08-29Effective 2024-07-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Commercial yachts of 10 meters to 500 GT follow the flag's own safety code; from 500 GT it looks to LY2 or SOLAS certification.Safety Code of Practice for Pleasure Yachts Engaged in Commercial Trade, SVG Code Edition 2008 Rev. 7, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · § 3.1Retrieved 2026-08-28Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| ISM Code applicability | Full ISM Code applies at 500 GT and over; yachts under 500 GT still run a scaled safety management system.The Red Ensign Group Yacht Code, Part A: Large Yachts, July 2024 Edition, Red Ensign Groupwww.redensigngroup.org · § 23B.1(1)Retrieved 2026-08-29Effective 2024-07-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | ISM Document of Compliance copies are filed from 500 GT where the Code applies; the code governing smaller commercial yachts sets no safety-management requirement.PRO 002, Procedure for the Registration of Commercial Yachts from 500 GT and over, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (last update 25/06/2026) (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · Technical requirementsRetrieved 2026-08-28Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| ISPS Code applicability | Yachts of 500 GT and over must comply with the ISPS Code; Part A of the Code states no requirement below that, which is the Code's silence and not a finding that none applies.The Red Ensign Group Yacht Code, Part A: Large Yachts, July 2024 Edition, Red Ensign Groupwww.redensigngroup.org · § 31.1(1)Retrieved 2026-08-29Effective 2024-07-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. | Registration filings include the ISPS security set where the Code applies; the flag's code below 500 GT sets no security requirement.PRO 002, Procedure for the Registration of Commercial Yachts from 500 GT and over, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (last update 25/06/2026) (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · Technical requirementsRetrieved 2026-08-28Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
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- VAT and importation for yachts and private aircraft
- Yacht management companies: what they do, what they cost, how to choose
- Yacht insurance by flag: what is compulsory and what the market requires
- Finding yacht crew: how agencies work and what owners pay
- Who owns a yacht or a private aircraft? Companies, trusts and the register
- Employing yacht crew: contracts, payroll and social security
- ISM, ISPS and MLC for yachts: what your flag requires
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- Central agents: how yachts are marketed for charter
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