Choosing a Registry

The choice of Flag and Registry is of prime importance to an owner/operator as this will determine how the vessel will be treated in the countries and ports which are visited.

Whilst the International Maritime Organisation generally implements the regulations it does not take part in policing them, this is the task of the Flag States, Classification Societies and Port State Control

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) states:

Every State shall take such measures for ships flying its flag as are necessary to ensure safety at sea with regard, inter alia, to: a) the construction, equipment and seaworthiness of ships; b) the manning of ships, labour conditions and the training of crews, taking into account the applicable international instruments; c) the use of signals, the maintenance of communications and the prevention of collisions.

A primary responsibility of a Flag State is the enforcement of convention standards on the ships that it has registered. In choosing a flag owners and operators, as well considering such factors as administrative and diplomatic support, port and cargo preference schemes and fiscal matters, need also to consider the Port State control record of the flag in question.

The role of the flag state has increased a registry's responsibilities and duties in terms of verifying the safety of navigation, safety of ships, protection of marine environment and limitation of air pollution, reinforcement of security and seafarers' welfare, training and qualification.

Port States typically use 'flag' as a factor for targeting ships for inspection and MOU's (Memorandum of Understanding) maintain ship detention records and publish lists of the best and worst performing flags.

Details, and rankings, of the most respected of these MOUs - The Paris Port State Control - may be found here.

How to Choose a Register
What are the prime factors an owner/operator should consider when choosing a register?

• Reputation - the worldwide reputation of the register is paramount. It is worth checking the Port State Control rankings and list of detentions of each registry.
• Stable jurisdiction - how stable is the government and economic environment
• Ease of Registration - how compliant and flexible is the registry
• Mortgages - security of mortgages registered in the Flag State
• Fees - how competitive and flexible are the fees imposed by the registry
• Manning - how flexible is the registry in its manning requirements
• Services - what is the business infrastructure of the Flag State, are there comprehensive, professional support services

The Red Ensign
The Red Ensign is the flag of choice of most of the world's superyachts. The reason is quite simple; those countries which fly the ensign are the most respected Flag States with the least number of detentions. A glance of the Port State Control rankings will verify this.

The Red Ensign is split into two categories:

Category 1
These registers may operate unrestricted type and size of vessel:
Isle of Man, UK, Cayman, Gibraltar, British Virgin Islands and Bermuda

Category 2
These registers may operate small and local vessels:
Jersey, Guernsey, St Helena, Montserrat, Falkland Islands, Anguilla and Turks and Caicos

More information may be obtained from the Red Ensign Group

Other Registries
Other registries which may be considered are: France, Italy, Spain, Malta, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands and St Vincent.

The Isle of Man
The Isle of Man is a Category 1 Register which in consistently at the top of the Port State Control rankings. Find out more about the Isle of Man here.

Equiom's Registration Service
Equiom can register a vessel in the Isle of Man, in any one of the jurisdictions above, or a jurisdiction of the owner/operators choice. We will be pleased to advise on the most suitable register for the vessel dependant on the owners requirements.

Find out more about our registration services here.