St Vincent and the Grenadines yacht registration
St Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration
What St Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration publishes about registering a yacht on the St Vincent and the Grenadines register.
- Register
- St Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration
- Official registry site
- www.svg-marad.com
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Common questions
What does yacht registration cost in St Vincent and the Grenadines?Link to this section
The registration fee is the flat charge the St Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration sets for yachts in its Fees and Taxes schedule: 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. The recurring charge is the Annual Tax on the same schedule: 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. Annual tonnage tax replaces per-voyage tonnage dues, and the yacht rate is flat: 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. WhichFlagToFly lists each line with its source and check date in the St Vincent and the Grenadines fee rows.
Can a private yacht charter under the SVG flag?Link to this section
Yes, within a Limited Charter Allowance. The St Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration runs three yacht regimes under its circular on private yachts with limited charter allowance: 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. Where charters may be sold is decided by the coastal state, and the flag sits outside the EU maritime cabotage Regulation's protected class: 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. The St Vincent and the Grenadines charter row quotes the circular.
How long does SVG registration take?Link to this section
Provisional registration is the normal entry route to the St Vincent and the Grenadines register under the Shipping Act, issued abroad by the proper officer: 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. Full registration is bounded by a statutory outer limit in the same Act, and the Maritime Administration publishes no processing time: 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. The St Vincent and the Grenadines timeline row carries the section references.
How does the SVG flag perform in port state control?Link to this section
Paris MoU standing is the Flag Performance list placement the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control publishes in its Annual Report from aggregated inspection and detention data; the St Vincent and the Grenadines placement: 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. The Grey List sits between the White List and the Black List in that report. The St Vincent and the Grenadines Paris MoU row carries the report reference.
What is the VAT position for an SVG-flagged yacht?Link to this section
VAT in St Vincent and the Grenadines is charged under the Value Added Tax Act at the categories the Inland Revenue Department publishes: 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. The basis on which VAT is charged on an import: 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. Union status in EU waters is a separate customs question the European Commission's Guidance Note for Pleasure Craft answers without reference to flag: 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. The SVG VAT rows carry each source.
Who can register a yacht in St Vincent and the Grenadines?Link to this section
Eligibility has two halves everywhere: who may hold the title, and what the register will accept as a vessel. The St Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration sets the owner test: 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. And the vessel test: 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. The St Vincent eligibility rows carry the regulations.
Does a yacht need a survey to register in St Vincent and the Grenadines?Link to this section
A pre-registration tonnage survey describes the yacht for the register, and periodic surveys keep the certificates alive afterwards. What the St Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration requires: 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. The yacht codes it applies to a commercial vessel: 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. The St Vincent survey row carries the code.
How do I transfer a yacht to St Vincent and the Grenadines from another flag?Link to this section
An incoming registrar wants proof of title and of condition; the outgoing one wants every mortgagee content before it releases the ship. What the St Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration asks for: 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. What it requires to close a registration: 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. The St Vincent document row lists them.
How should an owner choose whether to flag a yacht in St Vincent and the Grenadines?Link to this section
Three inputs decide whether the St Vincent and the Grenadines flag fits a yacht: whether the owner will hold it through a company, since the Shipping Act does not admit a foreign individual in their own name; where it will cruise and face port state control; and whether it wants the Limited Charter Allowance. An owner weighs those with a professional against the Maritime Administration's positions.
Registration
| Item | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who may own a registered vessel | 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 | 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 | 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 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 | 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 | 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 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 | 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 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 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 | 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 | 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 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 | 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 | 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 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 | 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 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 | 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 | 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
| Item | Answer |
|---|---|
| VAT rate | 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 | 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 | 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; 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 | 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 | 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 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
| Item | Answer |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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. |
| ISM document of compliance holder | 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. |
| 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. |
Marine insurance
| Item | Answer |
|---|---|
| Wreck removal insurance | 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 | 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
| Item | Answer |
|---|---|
| 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 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. |
| MLC compliance support | 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. |
| 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. |
Refit & yard works
| Item | Answer |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
Pre-buy survey
| Item | Answer |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
Ownership structuring
| Item | Answer |
|---|---|
| Owning company minimum capital | 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 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
| Item | Answer |
|---|---|
| Seafarer employment agreements | 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 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)
| Item | Answer |
|---|---|
| Commercial yacht code applied | 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 | 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 | 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. |
Guides for this register
Services for this register
Our pages on the services an owner arranges alongside registration.
- 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
- Chartering your yacht commercially: licenses, flags and coastal rules
- Central agents: how yachts are marketed for charter
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