VESSEL REGISTRATION
Bareboat Charter Certificate of Registry
A bareboat charterer of a vessel registered in a foreign registry may, where permitted by that foreign registry, obtain a bareboat charter Certificate of Registry for a period of not exceeding five years, on payment of a prescribed fee and upon presentation to the Deputy Commissioner of the following:
- A written application.
- A copy of the charter party in a form satisfactory to the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner and certified as true and correct.
- Proof of ownership, and consent of the registered owner of the vessel.
- Consents of holders of all mortgages, hypothecations or similar charges against the vessel in the foreign registry.
- Written consent of the country of registry, or presentation of satisfactory evidence that such consent is not required.
- A certificate of ownership and encumbrance, a transcript of registry, or other such document from the foreign registry showing all recorded liens and encumbrances.
A bareboat charterer of a Vanuatu vessel may register the vessel in a foreign jurisdiction, where permitted by that jurisdiction, upon obtaining written consent of the Deputy Commissioner.
- Written consent of the owner.
- Written consent of all holders of record of any mortgage, hypothecation or other charges recorded in the offices of the Deputy Commissioner.
- A copy of the foreign document, certified as true and correct, to be submitted by the bareboat charterer within 30 days following registry in the foreign jurisdiction.
- Copy of the foreign registry certificate showing the vessel’s registration under the other flag.
- Proof of payment of applicable fees.
- Addendum to Page 2 of Form A1, providing billing details, manager information, and 24-hour emergency contact details.
Failure to comply with these requirements or failure to notify VISR in a timely manner may result in the following penalties:
Applications are processed online. Once an application is complete, an authorized person(s) must sign and date the form in the appropriate boxes. Although you may submit your application online for expedited service, THE ORIGINAL SIGNED FORM MUST BE MAILED to the Deputy Commissioner office.
Eligibility
Vessels of the following classes are eligible to be documented or re- documented in Vanuatu:
- Any sea-going vessel engaged in foreign trade owned by a citizen or national of Vanuatu.
- Any yacht or other vessel used for pleasure, of 50 net tons or over.
- Vessels on bareboat charter: Provided such vessels shall not be eligible for documentation if, on 1 January in the year in which documentation is sought, such vessels are over 20 years of age, computed from completion of first construction.
The 20-year age limit requirement, may be waived by the Deputy Commissioner and a vessel of more than 20 years of age may be registered in exceptional cases where it has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Deputy Commissioner that:
- The vessel meets all other requirements for registration, and
- The vessel receives the top classification of one of the ship classification societies.
- The ownership requirement referred to in registration application may in exceptional cases be waived by the Deputy Commissioner where:
- The vessel meets all other requirements for registration; and
- It has been satisfactorily demonstrated that there is an absolute and genuine need for such waiver.
The words "citizen" or "national" shall include corporations, partnerships and associations of individuals.