Pleasure Yachts | Commercial Yachts

Pleasure Yachts

About Pleasure Yachts

In common with other Flag States our Merchant Shipping Act does not define "Yacht". However within our Registry a Yacht means, a vessel that is intended for pleasure or sport, does not operate on a pre-determined route carrying fare paying passengers and does not carry cargo.

A Pleasure Yacht (PL Y) is a yacht that is not engaged in trade, the trade being the carriage of fare paying passengers, and therefore solely used by the owner for pleasure. As soon as the yacht is used by the owner to carry fare paying passengers the yacht becomes a Commercial Yacht (CM Y) and then is subject to greater regulation. And with all yachts as they increase in size the regulation increases (as per international convention) with the lower limit to be fully compliant with mandatory shipping regulation being 500GT.

are mandatory for all vessels.

The COLREGs are sometimes known as the Rules Of The Road and provide an international legal structure for navigating vessels.

Acronyms

International St Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry (SKANReg)

Pleasure Yacht Less Than 24 M's

For registration of a PL Y less than 24 m's we require a yacht to be surveyed to ensure its safety compliance, has a correct tonnage and it satisfies our Pleasure Vessel Regulations. Once a yacht satisfies our regulations and survey requirements we issue:
PVSC
NTC

Pleasure Yacht Greater Than 24 M's

PL Y more than 24 m's must also satisfy our Pleasure Vessel Regulations with issue of a: Depending upon the size of the yacht: If > 400 GT (including any yacht carrying > 15 people): If > 500 GT

Commercial Yachts

Commercial Yachts Less than 24 M's

A Commercial Yacht (CM Y) must satisfy our Merchant Shipping (Small Commercial Vessels) Regulations. The yacht must be measured by a authorised surveyor for the issue of a

Commercial Yachts more than 24 M's less than 500GT

All CM Y's must satisfy the St Kitts & Nevis Merchant Shipping Act. Additionally we require a MINI ISM certificate to be issued however the type and requirement is dependent upon the type and size of operation of the CM Y. If > 400 GT (including any yacht carrying > 15 people)

Commercial Yachts more than 500 GT

Survey & GMDSS

It is not a requirement for yachts to be "Classed" by a Recognised Organisation (RO) at any time while registered with St Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry however it is advisable.

All yachts more than 24 m's are required to be inspected and classified by one of our Surveyors or RO's with applicable valid Statutory Certificates carried on board at all times. Our Surveyors or RO's are authorised to carry out inspections in all facts of yacht operation including the build, refit and within its lifetime cycle. Please see the list of RO's.

Yachts must meet the minimum international safety, environmental and construction conventions as specified under the St Kitts & Nevis Merchant Shipping Act, which satisfies international maritime convention. Failure to maintain "Class" or valid statutory certificates may result in penalties or detention within a port by Port State Control and or penalties imposed under the St Kitts & Nevis Merchant shipping Act. Each yacht and its operation is different leading to specific technical requirements. This leads the RO's to develop individual standards for each type of yacht. Please contact the relevant RO or the Registry for further details.

GMDSS

All yachts must carry at least a VHF radio with preference given to VHF DSC. For a more detailed analysis of radio requirements please refer to SOLAS Chapter IV Radiocommunications. Extra operational requirements may be necessary as decided by the Registry.

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