topyacht register

ONLINE RACE ENTRIES – 2024-25

Please read the following before logging on to enter a series.

LMYC competitors may enter as a Series Entrant or enter as a Casual Entrant on a race by race basis. See further comments below.

TopYacht Boat Register  can be used to check or update your boat registration. Search by sail number, boat name or owner’s name.

Many clubs are using Top Yacht for their races. You may have registered when racing elsewhere.

NEW boat owners can use the following link to  Change Boat Ownership  May take up to 48 hours to approve.

New entries via the Topyacht Entry System (TES) need to complete the online form in full and select the Series they wish to enter.

Summer series 2024-25

Annual Pointscore (includes all sub series)

– Early Bird up to 25th August $450

– entries after 25th  August $500

– Non Member $580

Individual Series entries

– Bay series 4 races – $87

– Pursuit series 4 races – $87

– Windward Leeward 9 races $132 (3 per day)

– Pulbah series 4 races $87

– R K Robertson 6 races $133

– Casual entry $22 per race

– Casual entry Windward/Leeward $42 (3 races per day)

Lady Skippers 6 races (stand alone series and not part of Saturday Pointscore)  $133

Offshore series 5 races (standalone series and not part of Saturday Pointscore)  TBA Casual TBA per race

The fees are also stated on the particular TES Entry Form. If you wish to enter a race as a CASUAL ENTRY please enter the race  being held the day you wish to race.

Casual Entries DO NOT qualify for the  series Pointscore.

Please call LMYC Sailing Administrator if having difficulties – 4945 0022 – e-mail [email protected]

To facilitate issuing handicaps and allocating boats to divisions all entries are required in the time limits set out in the 2024-2025 LMYC Sailing Instructions.

LMYC 2024-25

Lmyc  she sails  regatta 2025, lmyc lakefest regatta 2025.

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world

The Register

• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Conservation and Philanthropy
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• BOATPro Home
• Superyacht Insight
• Global Order Book
• Premium Content
• Product Features
• Testimonials
• Pricing Plan
• Tenders & Equipment

The Register is the definitive guide to the largest, fastest and most iconic superyachts in the world. BOAT International’s list of the top 25 largest yachts in the world profiles the biggest, most innovative and most notable motor and sailing superyachts on the water today.

Find a breakdown of the 50 largest sailing yachts in the world and the 50 largest luxury yachts built in the US . For yacht owners with a passion for the exploration, there is the top 20 expedition yachts – superyachts that meld luxury yacht amenities with explorer yacht capabilities – and for those with a need for speed, we present the top 20 fastest superyachts plying the oceans.

From our partners

Sponsored listings.

• About About About Constitution
• Competitor Info Competitor Info Competitor Info Race Noticeboard Race Entry 2024-25 Season Calendar Boat Documents IRC Handicap PHS Handicap Sea Safety Racing Rules Safety Auditing and Special Regulations Inflatable Lifejacket Maintenance Removing weed from keels VHF/HF Radio Information Weather Information
• Results & Teams Results & Teams Results & Teams Race and Series Results 2023-24 Boats registered Crew and Supporters Corinthian Teams Race and Series Results History Race and Series Results 2022-32
• News sign up

CLICK HERE for the race entry page.

We enter one race at a time for the 2024-2025 season. The person entering the race must be a current Ordinary or Casual boat owner member of ORWA and have a current endorsed IRC Certificate. Please note that the closing date for ORWA Series results is 31 October and the owner must be an Ordinary member by this date to be included in series results. 

Instructions:-

Step One - click the link above to enter a race and then select "race entry".

Step Two - select the race, choose "enter a boat already in TopYacht", press submit.

(Please check the TopYacht register before creating a new profile, your boat may already have one. There is a link to change an owner if you have purchased a boat that is already in the TopYacht register).

Step Three - use your sail number and password to log your boat in to TopYacht and enter the race. Be aware of autofill, ensure you use your sail number and  password!

Step Four - read through the form. To enter the race you will need to complete:

• Fees/payment and payment option.
• Conditions of Entry - click the terms and conditions box.
• Submit entry at the bottom of the page.
• When payment is required, it must be received by the race entry system prior to the race entry close.
• Crew cannot be entered until after your race entry has been submitted.
• Team Shore Contact - at least one needs to be added to your race entry form in TopYacht, read the instruction box with the orange outline at the top of your race entry.
• IRC certificate number, make sure your boats IRC certificate number for the race is entered prior to the deadline, the system will collect your current rating from RORC. (in the section for event ratings, no need to look for PHS this is provided for all ORWA registered teams).
• All persons on board - add your crew. More information will show for Cat 2-3 races. When PLB is available, the Hex Id can be inserted by the boat and this will override the crew's own information. Crew must check their personal PLB Hex Id for subsequent races. We are only using the offshore crew sign on system (please check SSI's for individual race requirements).
• Additional items - forms required for the race. Please ensure that any forms loaded to a previous race are still visible in the race entry for your current race. Forms required will be different for each race, depending on the race requirements. If you use the edit your entry function you can see the forms being viewed by the OA. 

If you have any issues, please send us an email and we will respond to you as quickly as possible. 

Major sponsors

Andrew Henderson

Founder of Nomad Capitalist and the world’s most sought-after expert on global citizenship.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

What we’re all about

MEET OUR TEAM

Meet our 95+ global team

We’re here to serve you

Your questions answered

TESTIMONIALS

Read our testimonials

Get free email updates

ACTION PLAN

Our flagship service for entrepreneurs and investors

ACTION PLAN ELITE

Create your Action Plan directly with the Mr. Henderson himself

CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT

Claim a second passport based on familial connections

ALL SERVICES

Click here to see all our products and services

GOING OFFSHORE

Offshore Banking

Offshore Company

Offshore Trust

Offshore Gold Storage

Offshore For Americans

SECOND CITIZENSHIP

Second Passport

Citizenship By Investment

Citizenship By Ancestry

Dual Citizenship Benefits

EU Citizenship

SECOND RESIDENCE

Second Residence

Golden Visas

Residence By Investment

EU Residence

Tax Residence

FINANCE & INVESTMENTS

Tax Reduction

International Investment

Cryptocurrency

Foreign Real Estate

Asset Protection

NOMAD LIFESTYLE

Flag Theory

Lifestyle Design

Plan B Strategy

Hiring Overseas

Living In Eastern Europe

PASSPORT INDEX

Discover the world’s best passports to have in an ever-changing world

CITIZENSHIP MAP

Explore the citizenship options using our interactive citizenship map

Explore the tax details for countries using our interactive tax map

ALL RESEARCH

Click here to see all of our research and interactive tools

THE WORLD’S #1 OFFSHORE EVENT

Learn from a curated “Who’s Who” of business speakers from around the world, get our latest R&D updates, and rub shoulders with successful people from all corners of the world.

NOMAD CAPITALIST THE BOOK

Andrew Henderson wrote the #1 best-selling book that redefines life as a diversified, global citizen in the 21st century… and how you can join the movement.

Where to Register Your Yacht Offshore: the Ultimate Guide

Dateline: Belgrade, Serbia

For the person who has successfully opened an offshore bank account , got a second passport and is living the lifestyle of their dreams traveling the world, the time has come to move on to the next level of flag theory.  This new level is one where the focus shifts from acquisitions that are largely for diversification purposes toward purchases meant purely to improve your lifestyle – like boating.

For many who reach this stage, the next step is to combine travel and leisure by investing in the purchase of a yacht.

Unlike buying a new car – or even a house – buying a yacht is an investment of an international nature, and deciding upon the best country for yacht registration is a decision for which you need professional advice so you do not expose your assets to unnecessary taxes and liabilities. If you go into the process uneducated, your exciting new purchase might just become nothing more than a hole in the water into which you pour unnecessary amounts of money.

As with other international strategies, the country in which you register your yacht can have an enormous effect on the amount of money you will be able to save, as well as your freedom of travel. Some countries keep you from freely traveling to other jurisdictions, others charge high tax percentages or registration fees, and others do none of those things.

Choose Your Flag Wisely

When buying a yacht,  the choice of yacht flags is one of the most important decisions you have to make because it can have a direct effect on your privacy, taxes, and your exposure to liability. Just as you would create a corporate structure to protect your other assets, you should do the same when it comes to yacht registration.

For this reason, many boat owners opt to register their yacht in places like the Cayman Islands to avoid the onerous taxes and regulations of the United States and other western governments. Panama , with its favorable registration policies, is the largest ship registry in the world  with over 9,000 ships flying its flag.

However, it’s also very important to do your due diligence in selecting a country for yacht registration by working with a professional. Once your vessel is registered in a country, all of the country’s laws will apply to your boat. Many countries that have attractive tax structures have other issues that you’ll want to avoid, such as laws that require you to hire a crew completely composed of nationals from that country.

You will also want to register your yacht in a country that is well respected by the US and the EU. If you choose a country with a bad reputation, it can limit where you are allowed to travel, or at the very least, make you subject to more detentions and inspections.

The flag state has the responsibility to enforce regulations over vessels registered under its flag, so yacht registration under countries on the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (Paris MoU) on Port State Control’s black or gray list will come under more scrutiny in inspections. Because of this, a large majority of yachts are flagged in British Overseas Territories, known as the ‘Red Ensign Group’ — including Bermuda, Gibraltar and the Isle of Man.

These countries have acceptable safety regulations for travel in EU countries, while also having more attractive tax structures than the UK. In fact, company tax is set at 0% in the Channel Islands , the Isle of Man, the Cayman Islands, and Bermuda .

This is particularly useful for those who wish to spend time in European Union waters, as vessels owned or used by EU residents are subject to the EU’s Value Added Tax (VAT). Private yacht registration with a non-EU flag allows an owner to operate under a “temporary importation structure” which allows for 18 months free of these taxes or customs duties. After the 18 months are over, the boat owner can re-apply for this status.

Bearing this in mind, let’s take a look at some of my favorite countries for yacht registration.

1.The Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands Shipping Registry is a favorite among people who own both pleasure and commercial yachts worldwide. This ship registry has been at the Port of George Town, Cayman Islands since 1903. There are two other ports in the Cayman Islands as well: The Creek in Canyon Brac and Bloody Bay in Little Cayman.

The Merchant Shipping Law, which was revised in 2016, is the governing legislation for all boats registered in the Cayman Islands. The law offers many different types of yacht registration, including full registration, interim registration, provisional registration, a ship under construction registration, and demise charter/bareboat registration. An owner who is having a vessel built might find this convenient so he or she can register it as a boat under construction and then change to full yacht registration later.

As I mentioned above, the Cayman Islands is a part of the Red Ensign Group. This means that getting your yacht registration in the Cayman Islands flags your vessels as a British Ship, granting it protection by the British Royal Navy.

Because time is crucial for so many people, the Cayman Islands Ship Registry (CISR) can also expedite the registration process for those who need to be registered immediately if they pay their expedition fee. In addition, the CISR has representative offices in Fort Lauderdale, London, Cannes, Athens, Tokyo, and Singapore where you can have ship registry certificates issued immediately if needed.

Yachts that are registered with the Cayman Islands as pleasure yachts and are not engaged in trade are granted a License to Cruise the water of the United States which will allow them to enter, depart, and cruise within U.S. waters. These vessels will only need to report to U.S. customs when entering the country or changing customs districts.

Assuming you meet all of the required qualifications, there are no restrictions or rules concerning the nationality of the master or the crew of your ship.   In addition to the Cayman Islands being a tax neutral environment, the jurisdiction provides vessel owners with banking facilities and directorship services.

Overall, vessels registered in the Cayman Islands benefit from all the privileges of the British flag, while simultaneously having the tax-free and confidentiality perks of the Cayman Islands.

2. The Netherlands

Many people consider Holland to be an ideal location for yacht registration because the country is flexible and straightforward, whereas most other European countries follow stricter rules and regulations. The registration process is fast compared to that of other countries and requirements are minimal.

To register under the Dutch flag, the process is easiest if you are either an EU citizen, Swiss, Norwegian, or own a company registered in the EU.

One of the main advantages of the Netherlands is that you can be registered under the Dutch flag in as little as three days. That is why Holland is typically preferred over countries like Italy, France, and Spain where there is a longboat registration process in addition to high registration fees. A lot of yacht owners solve this problem by registering under the Dutch flag. Taxes and registration requirements in the Netherlands are minimal, allowing the whole process to be completed in three days, assuming you meet the necessary criteria.

Boat owners do not have to be of Dutch nationality, nor do they have to have a residence in the country. The only documents you must have are an ID card or passport and you must provide proof of ownership of your boat. Because so little documentation is needed, renewing your yacht registration is also a fairly simple process.

The process is easiest, however, for people who are Dutch, Swiss, Norwegian or have a company based in the EU. If you are not Dutch, Swiss, or Norwegian, and if you do not have a company registered in the EU, you can still register by paying a fee to have a United Kingdom Ltd. set up in your name.

The Ltd. will cost you 349 EUR upfront and 249 EUR every year after that. Once the Ltd. is set up, you’ll receive your registration within three to five days. The documentation needed is still the same. It only costs about 299 EUR for yacht registration in Holland if you are an EU citizen. It costs 648 EUR for non-EU citizens and your registration license can be delivered overnight anywhere in the world. Those prices include everything from the taxes to the mandatory Dutch address and all the costs for shipping and consultation.

There is also no requirement to have your boat inspected, making the vessel documentation process even simpler.

 Types of yacht registration under the Dutch flag:

     1.  Light registration

Light yacht registration is for people who want fast and easy registration for navigating EU waters. With light registration, you can only sail European Union waters and the length of your yacht may not exceed 24m.

    2.  Global registration

Global yacht registration is for yachts that will navigate outside of European Union waters, sail worldwide, or be engaged in commercial chartering. People with Global registration can sail worldwide. Global registration is also available to Swiss or Norwegian persons regardless of whether or not they have a company in the EU.

 3. The Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands ship registry was formed in 1988. In 2001, it was expanded to allow those with commercial and private yachts to register as well, which has made the Marshall Islands a popular place to register over the last sixteen years.

The jurisdiction has also gained a lot of recognition over the years by having regional offices in major maritime cities around the world, allowing them to provide same day service to anyone, regardless of the location or time zone in which they reside.

The Marshall Islands Registry is the third-largest in the world and you can register under a one or three-year program.

You must be a Marshall Islands citizen, national, or qualified foreign maritime entity to register in the Marshall Islands. The terms “citizen” and “national” refer to Marshall Islands corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and associations of individuals. (You can easily complete the process to have a Marshall Islands company registered in your name so you can register your ship there.)

Assuming you complete all the necessary documents and meet all requirements, you can have your ship registered within 24 hours; you can also register your yacht as a ‘ship under construction’ if needed. You can obtain a U.S. cruising permit as a boat registered in the Marshall Islands and commercially compliant yachts can charter in Europe. In other words, you are not confined to the waters of the Marshall Islands alone, which is convenient for those who want to see more of the world.

As long as you meet proper flag requirements, yachts measuring 18m or longer that weigh less than 500 gross tons can be chartered out for up to 84 days as a private yacht limited charter (PYLC).

In addition to being white-listed under Paris and Tokyo’s MoUs, the Marshall Islands also meets the flag criteria for a low-risk ship under the Paris New Inspection Regime. Additionally, the Marshall Islands has been a part of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Qualship 21 roster for 11 consecutive years.

The Marshall Islands Registry is low tax and respected worldwide; the country is a presidential republic in free association with the United States and enjoys similar benefits to its British Overseas Territory counterparts making it a great jurisdiction for yacht registration.

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily and Sardinia. The country’s ship registry ranks 10th in the world with a gross tonnage of over 21 million pounds.

A ship can be registered in Cyprus if more than 50% of the shares of the registering company are owned by a Cypriot or if your company is registered in the Republic of Cyprus. An offshore company can also be registered in Cyprus if the company’s control is in the hands of Cypriots.

The Republic of Cyprus can easily register your company under their flag so you can register your yacht there. The costs of yacht registration and management are the lowest in Europe , making the jurisdiction an ideal, convenient place for many owners to register their ship.

There are many tax benefits that come with yacht registration under the Cyprus flag. An owner whose ship is registered in Cyprus is fully exempt from income taxes from operations in international waters. Additionally, no tax is payable for the wages of the crew that operates in international waters. No tax is payable on any dividend received from a shipping company in Cyprus.

Cyprus has maritime offices around the world, allowing them to work with anyone anywhere at any time. Some of their main offices are located in New York, London, Rotterdam, Piraeus, Brussels, and Hamburg. Upon registering in one of these offices, you will have the benefits of flying an EU flag, which is respected worldwide. According to the  EU registry, “Sailing under EU flags demonstrates strength and represents a strong reputation.”

Like some of the other countries I have mentioned, Cyprus has been white-listed among the Paris and Tokyo MoUs, meaning it is a high-quality flag with low risk compared to many other countries who have been gray or black-listed.

It should also be noted that Cyprus is excluded from the “list of targeted flag states,” which is kept by the U.S. Coast Guard. Cyprus’s absence from the list means that inspections of the yacht with a Cypriot flag are kept to a minimum and they will experience no unnecessary delays when entering and leaving ports.

Types of yacht registration:

Cyprus offers three types of registration, including provisional registration, permanent registration, and parallel (bareboat) registration.

       1. Provisional remains in effect for 6 months; after expiration, it can only be renewed once more for 3 more months.

       2. Permanent Yacht Registration  goes into effect 6 to 9 months from the date your yacht was provisionally registered.

      3. For Parallel / Bareboat Registration  your ship must hoist the Cyprus flag and “Limassol” must be marked as your port of registry. Parallel-in lasts for two years and is renewable. For parallel-out registration, your ship must hoist the foreign flag rather than the Cyprus flag and your port of registry must be the port of the foreign country. Parallel-out lasts for three years and is also renewable.

Liberia is the oldest democracy in Africa and one of the first offshore, zero tax jurisdictions. The Liberian ship registry is a favorite among owners of large vessels; the country has the second-largest registry in the world and makes up 12% of registered ships worldwide.

One of the perks of The Liberian Yacht Registration is that it is open to any ship-owner in the world and there are absolutely no restrictions on the nationality of your crew or country of construction. This makes Liberia appealing to many ship-owners who either cannot register somewhere because of their nationality or can only register by paying an additional fee.

Liberia has been white-listed on the Paris and Tokyo MoUs and has also been approved by the International Maritime Organization AND the U.S. Coast Guard. This, combined with the country’s other features, means that the Liberian Registry is known as “the world’s largest quality registry, renowned for excellence, efficiency, safety and innovative service”.

The following types of vessels can be registered in Liberia:

Vessels under construction, new buildings, vessels being transferred from other flags, offshore vessels, vessels in lay-up, and vessels involved in international, coastal, or domestic trading. You may also have a dual flag if your ship is bareboat registered.

The Liberian Registry is owned and operated by the United States. Additionally, service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, making things very convenient for those wishing to do yacht registration under the Liberian flag. There are over 400 nautical inspectors, so there is always someone available to attend to vessels.

Vessels registered in Liberia are taxed with a fixed fee, which   depends on the tonnage of your ship. The tax is applied yearly, so there should be no surprises. However, t here are no taxes on operations and your profits are not assessed.

The Liberian flag is accepted in many EU countries — the United Kingdom, Germany, and Holland are only a few countries in the European Union that accept the Liberian flag. In addition, Liberia is highly rated for safety and accident prevention, which makes this country even more attractive for your yacht registration.

Liberia is recognized every year for having high standards. The country has an above-average performance in safety and accident prevention as well as in independent statistical reports. Liberia also has a network of 100 security inspectors to inspect ships when necessary; this is something that was implemented post-9/11.

According to information provided by the Liberian Registry website, “The “Maritime Services Award” is for exceptional achievement or contribution to any service sector of the America’s maritime industry by a company, individual, or organization. According to Lloyd’s List criteria for this award, “The winner must be able to demonstrate how they have set themselves apart, going above and beyond best practice to offer the shipping industry something exceptional.”

The Maltese ship registry is the largest in Europe and one of the largest in the world; it is one of the most popular countries in the world for pleasure yacht registration. The country has EU compliant legislation, clear laws relating to yacht mortgages, low registration costs and is well respected across the globe.

Malta became a member of the European Union in 2004, so yacht registration here comes with the perks of sailing an EU flag, including protection by the British Royal Navy. Like the other countries I’ve mentioned, Malta has been white-listed, providing ship-owners with a sense of security when you go through the yacht registration process under the Maltese flag.

If you’re an EU, EEA, or Swiss national, you can hold your vessel in your personal capacity. However, if you’re a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen you must hold your yacht through a Maltese or foreign company.

When it comes to taxes, it is important to note that companies operating commercial yachts out of Malta are exempt from income tax on any income generated by the operation of their yachts. They are also exempt from any VAT tax on the high seas. What   sets Malta apart from many other countries besides tax policy is that there are no restrictions on the nationality of the master, officers, or crew of your ship.

Another perk that Malta shares with Liberia is that there is round-the-clock service, so you can feel safe and secure registering in the country. And, as long as you meet all flag requirements, any type of vessel can be registered — that means pleasure yachts, oil rigs, vessels under construction, and anything in between.

W hen it comes to the age or trading, boats between 10 and 15 years must pass inspection by an authorized inspector within one month of provisional registration and ships over 15 years old must pass inspection before being provisionally registered.

7. The British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands is the latest country to join the Red Ensign Group (2014). Now, the British Virgin Islands can register any type of ship and any size. Not only that, yacht registration under the BVI flag grants access to all the ports in the world. There are restrictions with almost all other registries when it comes to this, so the fact that a BVI flag gives you access anywhere sets the country far apart from the rest.

Another advantage that makes the jurisdiction one of the most attractive is that the British Virgin Islands is tax neutral. The islands are outside the scope of the EU value added tax (VAT) laws, meaning that there is no sales tax when purchasing goods or services.

As is the case with the Cayman Islands and Malta, the Red Ensign Group flag grants protection by the British Royal Navy to those vessels registered under the British Virgin Islands flag. Similar to the other countries listed, you can register under the BVI flag even if you are not a citizen and even if you do not own a company there; you will need to register a company in the BVI to do so, but this can be completed in a matter of hours.

When it comes to the registration process, it usually takes two to six months, meaning that it is not as short as some of the other countries, but it’s still not too terribly long.

As I have mentioned in previous articles, the British Virgin Islands has one of the most stable governments and economies in the world, which makes ship owners who register there feel very safe and secure when compared to other countries who have more enemies or corruption within the government.

Panama  is not only a popular place when it comes to offshore banking or getting a second passport, it also holds the largest ship registry in the world, having over 9,000 ships registered under the country’s flag.

Most countries require a minimum amount of weight, but Panama does not. The only exception to this rule is if your ship is older than 20 years, requiring that the ship is inspected in order to be registered.

There is usually some downtime when someone transfers their ship from one flag to another, but that is not the case when you are transferring to Panama. Panama has a very simple transferring process; for example, numerous other countries make you dry dock for inspection and Panama does not. Because their process is so easy, it eliminates the concern that ship and business owners have concerning downtime.

The good news for all the shipping companies, ship owners, and merchant shipping companies is that you can have dual ship registry in Panama, but if you were registered in the other country first, you must have consent from that country to register in Panama, too.

Instead of taking your ship’s size or tonnage into consideration, Panama charges a flat yacht registration fee to keep things simple. If you are not a Panamanian or an owner of a Panamanian business, you’ll pay a flat fee of $1,500 to register your yacht. If you are Panamanian, it costs $1,000 to register your yacht. Once you are registered, you will have access to Panama’s round-the-clock service.

Additionally, once you are assigned provisional yacht registration, you have six months to provide the proper vessel documentation to transfer your provisional yacht registration to permanent registration. Your yacht registration certificate is valid for two years and renewal costs are low.

Many countries require yacht owners to pay taxes when they register their ship, but Panama does not. There are also no taxes on profit that is made through international trade. You do not have to pay taxes on wages for your crew members either. The main reason people choose to register in Panama is this lack of taxes. When registering in Panama, people are legally reducing tax costs and that would not be the case if they were to register in many other jurisdictions.

There is no one best ship registry in the world, but there are many you can choose from to keep your investment safe. Finding the right one for you will depend on what you value when it comes to naval protection, taxes, privacy, and ease of travel.

If you have already registered your vessel, where did you choose to go for your yacht registration and would you recommend it to others? Feel free to comment below.

If you liked this article and are curious about how to apply the Nomad Capitalist lifestyle for yourself, check out the quick video below. Then, if you’d like some help doing it, click here to let me know .

GET ACTIONABLE TIPS FOR REDUCING TAXES AND BUILDING FREEDOM OVERSEAS

Sign up for our Weekly Rundown packed with hand-picked insights on global citizenship, offshore tax planning, and new places to diversify.

Are you a US citizen?

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

The Best Nomadic Lifestyle Jobs (How to Land One)

Once reserved for the most adventurous, who had the ideal job, living as a digital nomad is now...

Digital Nomad Lifestyle: All Pros and Cons to Keep in Mind

This article discusses the digital nomad lifestyle and ways in which it can add immense value to...

St Kitts Travel Guide for Families and Couples

This travel guide discusses everything you need to know before traveling to St Kitts. We will...

49 Digital Nomad Visas to Get: The Ultimate Digital Nomad Visa List

The world has dramatically changed in the past few years thanks to the pandemic. Now, workers and...

Traveling to Antigua: Our Favorite Luxury Hotels

This article discusses traveling to Antigua and our favorite luxury hotels there. The two sister...

The Best Beach Towns in Mexico for Families and Expats

This article discusses the best beach towns in Mexico for families and expats. We will also...

Get an Insurance Policy Against Your Government

Have options so that no one government controls you or your wealth. From strategic citizenship planning to real estate overseas, Nomad Capitalist has helped 1,500+ high-net-worth clients double their personal and financial freedom.

What do you want to accomplish?

Let us know your goal and we will tell you how we can help you based on your details.

REDUCE TAXES OFFSHORE

CREATE A GLOBAL PLAN B

DIVERSIFY AND PROTECT WEALTH

UNITED STATES

UNITED KINGDOM

EU COUNTRIES

Tax Amount ($US Dollars)

POLITICAL INSTABILITY

ECONOMIC INSTABILITY

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

HIGH TAX LIABILITIES

RISK MANAGEMENT

MARKET PROTECTION

WEALTH PRESERVATION

OPPORTUNITY CAPITALIZATION

ESTATE PLANNING

Email Address

We handle your data according to our Privacy Policy . By entering your email address you grant us permission to send you the report and follow up emails later.

• Yachting for beginners
• Owning a yacht
• Motor Yachts
• Sailing Yacht
• Indian Ocean
• Mediterranean
• Buying or Selling a Yacht
• Yachting Events
• FAQ – Luxury Yacht Charter
• FAQ – Buying a Yacht
• FAQ – Sell your Yacht
• How Much Does It Cost To Charter A Luxury Yacht?
• All our Blog Post & News

What is the best country to Register Your Yacht Offshore?

Many yacht owners choose to flag their vessels in countries other than where they live. But why do they do that, and what countries do they pick instead of their own? The list of advantages is long – from taxes and financial reasons to ease of crew hiring and easier port clearances.

If you’re thinking about buying a large yacht for personal or business use, you can find some powerful advantages by registering your boat in the right country.

What is the advantage of registering a yacht offshore?

Every country in the world has its own laws, rules, regulations, taxes and fees. Some look at boats and ships as a revenue stream for fees and taxes, and some set themselves up to be very yacht friendly. Some advantages you can find in some countries over others include:

Is foreign registry for you?

On the surface, flagging in the best country possible seems to make sense for anyone. But it makes little sense for most small, private pleasure craft owners who own and operate their own boats.

The enormous advantages come into play if you do any of the following with your boat:

Most foreign registries require a legal entity in the registration country. This is often a corporation or partnership, if a private citizen can not do it. You’ll have to create the company to own the boat, and often you need a lawyer or an agent for this. Though many popular registry countries have offices in other countries to handle registrations, they’re usually dealing with larger boats and passenger and cargo ships.

For the private boat operator, this adds complexity and expense that rarely pays off. Every time you clear your vessel into a country, your passport won’t match your boat and your name isn’t on the vessel documentation. This may cause confusion or delays.

Before you decide, consult your accountant and attorney to see if it makes sense for you. And they may recommend discussing the topic with a specialist.

What makes a country a good place to flag your vessel?

There are a lot of variables that go into choosing a country to register your vessel, and you need to know what works for you and what is most important.

Low Taxes and Fees

Registration fees for large vessels are big, and these offshore registries have relatively inexpensive pricing. This can save substantial money, but the variables of ship size, required legal structures, and inspection and documentation costs make exact figures difficult. Look beyond just the registration fee at any legal entities and agencies you might need.

Taxes are also a prime consideration, whether it’s taxes due on crew payrolls, vessel profits, goods and services purchased for the yacht, or capital gains from selling it. Some owners only use their crewed yachts for a few weeks annually, and charter them for the idle time. The right flag makes an enormous difference for them.

Easy Accessibility

Quick registration turnaround and access to prompt support if there is a problem is crucial. Registries with offices throughout the world can deal with paperwork in your home country or in places you may be visiting.

An internationally compatible system for legal transactions and banking is crucial. Recording mortgages and transferring ownership should be easy.

Paris MoU, IMO and other recognitions

The Paris MoU (Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control) is an international agreement for the managing port access by ships. It governs safety rules and inspections, and standardizes port procedures across member states. Twenty-seven countries are signatories, and other MoUs around the world cover different regions and countries. Every vessel has a “Risk Profile” under the MoU. This profile controls inspection rates on arrival at a foreign port. The lower the risk, the fewer inspections are needed. A big part of risk is the country of the flag. It’s best to flag in a low-risk country in good standing with the Paris and other MoUs to avoid frequent inspections.

Membership and participation United Nations International Maritime Organization is another good sign that a country’s flag is well regarded and accepted globally.

Red Ensign Group

The Red Ensign group is a list of national registries which fall under the United Kingdom. By flying the red ensign from one of these countries, your vessel has most of the rights and privileges of vessels in the U.K. merchant fleet. This can include additional help with port inspections and detentions, consular support, and even protection by the Royal Navy.

Port Access

Not every country gets along with every other country, and some countries don’t have the best global reputation. If you pick the wrong country, you may find your boat unable to visit some ports in the world. It’s best to pick a flag country with no current international restrictions.

The British Virgin Islands: a very popular offshore flag in the Caribbean

If you’re buying a charter boat in the British Virgin Islands , a BVI registration may make the most sense for you. It’s a stable, tax-neutral country with no corporate income tax, no VAT on yacht purchases, no restrictions on any port worldwide, and it’s part of the Red Ensign Group.

You will need to register a company in the BVIs to own the boat, and registration can take several months, so it’s not the fasted registry and requires planning.

Fees for Yachts

Pleasure, Under 24 meters: New registration: $600.00, Annual fees: $100.00

Pleasure, 24 meters and above: New registration: $750.00, Annual fees: $300.00

Commercial, under 24 meters: New registration: $750.00, Annual fees: $250.00

Commercial, under 500 GT: New registrations: $750.00, Annual fees: $300.00

Read also:BVI Yacht Registration: Should You Do it? Pros and Cons

The Cayman Islands: good tax laws and privacy

The Cayman Islands is another Red Ensign Group country with favorable tax laws. There are also no limits on the country of origin for the crew and captain, though proof of qualifications for the vessel’s master is required. Pleasure craft under the Cayman Islands flag can cruise the U.S. with minimal hassles. You may qualify for direct registry without a corporation if you’re from a list of qualified countries , though you will need a local agent in the Caymans.

Registry offices in fifteen countries turn around registrations quickly, and your vessel can have a registration almost immediately if you pay to expedite it. Vessels under construction may be registered, then converted to a full registration while covered by local tax laws through the construction.

The base registration fee is about $700 USD, with annual fees for private yachts of $500, so it is more expensive than some.

Read also: Buying a Yacht : The Frequently Asked Question

The Seychelles: tax-friendly with quick registration

Though you will need an IBC (International Business Company) legal entity for Seychelles registration, it’s a tax-friendly registration country. There are no taxes on the sale or operation of yachts, including on salaries of employed crew operating internationally. Ownership can be 100% foreign and private.

An initial 90 day provisional registry is quick to get. Then a permanent registration is available at no extra charge. Registration for limited chartering is available, and vessels have no troubles visiting other countries.

The vessel age limit is fifteen years, and a survey may be required for older vessels. It may not be the most suitable registry for historic vessels.

Read also: SEYCHELLES VS. CARIBBEAN: WHICH OPTION IS GOOD FOR YOU?

The Netherlands: an overlooked European flag with efficient registry

The Netherlands has one of the most streamlined registration process in the EU. It’s also among the least expensive, and they can register your vessel in three days. Other EU countries may take weeks or months. This is easiest for residents of the Netherlands, Norway, or Switzerland, but is also easy for anyone with an EU based corporation. There is no nationality requirement.

The Global Netherlands registration gives full access to all waters, requires minimal paperwork, and taxation, and there’s no inspection requirement. A light registration with access only to EU waters is even quick to get and costs less.

Registration fees start at €399 for Dutch and EU citizens, and €648 for non-EU citizens.

Malta: a popular yacht registration in the Mediterranean

Malta is one of the most popular registries in the world. It’s part of the EU and registry shares those benefits, but it also has a quick turnaround and a simplified application process. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can directly register their boats. All other nationalities need a foreign or Maltese corporation.

The VAT in Malta is lower than most of Europe, and income from shipping activities is tax free. There are no limitations on the nationality of crew members. The Maltese flag is whitelisted with the Paris MoU.

Yachts over ten years old must be inspected within a month of provisional registration, and boats over fifteen years old must be inspected prior to registration.

Registration Fees

Pleasure yachts under 24 meters and 50 gross tons (new/annual): €115/€200 Pleasure yachts over 24 meters (new/annual): €.25 per ton, minimum €187.050/€.40 per ton, €400 minimum

Read also: CAN OWNING A YACHT TO CHARTER (REALLY) BE PROFITABLE?

Cyprus: a great yacht registration country and upcoming destination

Not only is Cyprus a delightful place to cruise, it’s becoming one of the better places to flag your yacht. Registration exempts boats from income taxes in international waters, crew taxes outside Cyprus, and taxes on dividends from the ownership company.

Cyprus is white listed with the Paris MoU and is a low-risk flag globally. Individuals with Cyprus, EU, or EEA citizenship, or a Cypress corporation may register boats. Foreign corporations can also register yachts, but they must have a controlling interest by Cypriot, EU or EEA nationals.

If you’re planning to charter your boat, different registration options make this easy.

Annual registration fees start at €300.

Gibraltar: a European jurisdiction with advantages

Gibraltar is another tax-friendly registrar, with no VAT charges, taxes on sales of vessels, or importation charges. It’s also part of the Red Ensign Group, but under European jurisdiction without the EU tariff rules.

Registration costs start at €225 for pleasure yachts under 24m, and €400 for yachts over 24m. Other documentation and registration fees may apply for the first time.

Liberia: a well managed registry with affordable tax structures

A U.S. owned and operated company handles from U.S. the yacht registration in Liberia. It also maintains offices around the world with 24 hour support and a sizeable force of inspectors. It is one of the most popular registries for commercial shipping, and is known for efficiency and capability.

Taxation is low and flat-rate based on tonnage, and treaties prevent double taxation with most countries. There are no nationality restrictions on crews and captains, though they must be qualified. It’s whitelisted on the Paris MoU, Tokyo MoU, and the IMO. The flag is low risk and accepted in most countries.

Vessels must be less than twenty years old. And the owner must be a Liberian entity or a company qualified as a Foreign Maritime Entity in Liberia. The registry can help establish this.

Registration for smaller vessels starts at $2,500. Annual tonnage fees are based on a minimum of 2,200 tons,

Read also: RENT TO OWN YACHTS: SHOULD YOU DO IT? BOAT LEASING EXPLAINED

Delaware, USA: the popular state to register a yacht corporation.

Delaware is not actually a popular state for boat registration. But it is the most popular state in the U.S. for registering companies. If you own your boat with a company and flag it in the United States, Delaware. Incorporation is quick, easy, and inexpensive. And the state offers good taxation and legal benefits to companies.

U.S. state registration is separate from U.S. documentation and flagging and is not needed for international travel if a vessel spends no time in the state waters. Delaware collects sales tax on registration, so this can be costly. But there is no annual property tax on locally registered boats.

Vessels flagged in the U.S. are welcome in almost every port in the world, but there is no special federal tax treatment. Your boat will be subject to U.S. specific laws for crew hiring, taxation, inspections, and other regulations that many flag elsewhere to avoid.

Marshall Islands: a great offshore jurisdiction for yacht owners

Like the Liberian Registry, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) handles registry through a U.S. based corporation International Registries . They have offices around the world. Yachts must be owned by an RMI legal entity or a qualified foreign maritime entity. Registration for a “Dual Use” private yacht allows for up to 84 days of charter per year.

The Marshall Islands registry is low tax, meets the low-risk criteria for the Paris MoU, Tokyo MoU, and is on the U.S. Coast Guard’s Qualship21 registry. The RMI has a Compact of Free Association with the United States, which is similar in benefit to the Red Ensign Fleet in terms of protections and help offered by the U.S. diplomatic and military services.

Registry costs for private yachts under 24 meters (79 feet) start at $1,600, including an annual $750 tonnage tax. The minimum registration length is 12 meters (39 feet).

Read also: IS BUYING A BOAT A BAD IDEA?

Yacht crew positions : Hierarchy, Missions & Salaries explained

Should you sell a yacht that has a loan our advice, you might also like.

What differentiates a yacht from a superyacht or a mega yacht?

Chartering Requirements and Regulations: A Guide for Boat Owners

What are the Fastest Cruising Catamaran on the Market?

Since 1997, TopYacht Software has been a pivotal part of the sailing community in Australia, providing innovative entrant and results management software solutions. In that time the company has grown to become the largest provider in Australia, with over 140 clubs, associations and events using the system, from results processing for small volunteer clubs through to online entry solutions for the largest sailing events in the country.

TopYacht a Division of Northstar Technologies Australia, Pty Ltd

Northstar Technologies Australia, Pty Ltd

Address: P.O. Box 688

Mount Lawley, WA 6929

Email: [email protected]

Rod McCubbin

Founder, Development & Results Specialist

Rod is the Founder and brains behind TopYacht. With Rod’s knowledge of sailing, including hands on race management) and his software programming skill, he has been able to create something that is an essential part of the sailing community, TopYacht.

• Visit Our Blog about Russia to know more about Russian sights, history
• Check out our Russian cities and regions guides
• Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to better understand Russia
• Info about getting Russian visa , the main airports , how to rent an apartment
• Our Expert answers your questions about Russia, some tips about sending flowers

Russian regions

• Chelyabinsk oblast
• Magnitogorsk
• Khanty-Mansi okrug
• Kurgan oblast
• Sverdlovsk oblast
• Tyumen oblast
• Yamalo-Nenets okrug
• Map of Russia
• All cities and regions
• Blog about Russia
• News from Russia
• How to get a visa
• Flights to Russia
• Russian hotels
• Renting apartments
• Russian currency
• FIFA World Cup 2018
• Submit an article
• Flowers to Russia
• Ask our Expert

Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia

The capital city of Chelyabinsk oblast: Chelyabinsk .

Chelyabinsk Oblast - Overview

Chelyabinsk Oblast is a federal subject of Russia located in the Southern Urals, part of the Urals Federal District. Chelyabinsk is the capital city of the region. It is the place where Europe borders with Asia.

The population of Chelyabinsk Oblast is about 3,419,000 (2022), the area - 88,529 sq. km.

Chelyabinsk oblast flag

Chelyabinsk oblast coat of arms.

Chelyabinsk oblast map, Russia

Chelyabinsk oblast latest news and posts from our blog:.

26 July, 2024 / Magnificent Landscapes of Ayskiye Pritosy .

18 July, 2018 / Bolshiye Pritesy Cliff in the Chelyabinsk Region .

12 June, 2018 / Frosty Dawn in Taganay National Park .

8 June, 2018 / Colors of the Dead World of Karabash .

6 January, 2018 / Chelyabinsk - the view from above .

More posts..

History of Chelyabinsk Oblast

People began to settle in the Southern Urals in the Paleolithic era. Bogdanovka site on the Ural River (Kizilsky district) is the most ancient archaeological site found on the territory of the region (about 70 thousand years). The age of Paleolithic layers in Ignatievka cave (Katav-Ivanovsky district), famous for its wall paintings, is about 15 thousand years. There are numerous archaeological sites of the Stone Age, settlements of the Bronze and Iron Ages.

In the 13th century, the territory of the Southern Urals was part of the Mongol Empire. Kesene mausoleum, preserved to our days near Varna village, is an outstanding monument of the late Horde time. The first Russian settlements in what is now the Chelyabinsk region appeared in the late 17th century.

Administratively the formation of the region began in the 18th century. It was the result of Peter’s I policy aimed at developing producing forces of the country and the expansion of its borders. This was reflected in the activities of the Orenburg expedition. For military and commercial purposes the expedition founded a number of fortresses, one of them was the fortress of Chelyabinsk (1736).

More Historical Facts…

In 1737, Isetskaya province was founded that included the northern part of the present Chelyabinsk region and the Kurgan region. In 1743, Chelyabinsk became the center of the province. In 1744, Orenburg gubernia was formed, it included Isetskaya and Ufimskaya provinces.

In the second half of the 18th century, mining and metallurgical areas of the Southern Urals began to grow rapidly. Several large mining plants were built, which became the basis for future towns. The first towns were Chelyabinsk, Verhneuralsk (1781) and Troitsk (1784).

In the early 19th century, most of the territory of the region was part of the Orenburg gubernia. Since the mid-19th century, Orenburg Cossacks started the rapid development of the steppe areas. New settlements were named in honor of the battles and victories of the Russian army: Varna, Fershampenuaz, Borodino, Paris and others.

After the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway (1891-1916), the province became the largest transportation hub connecting central Russia, the Urals and Siberia.

In 1919, Chelyabinsk gubernia was formed. November, 3, 1923, Ural Oblast with the capital in Yekaterinburg was formed. January 17, 1934, Ural Oblast was enlarged and was named Chelyabinsk Oblast. Later on, the territory of the region was diminished not once. In 1943, 32 districts were transferred to the newly formed Kurgan Oblast. After that, the borders of Chelyabinsk Oblast remained almost unchanged.

During the Second World War, this region played an important role producing metals, ammunition and military equipment. After the war, Chelyabinsk became the supplier of equipment and human resources for the restoration of Stalingrad, Donbass and other areas of the USSR.

In the 1950s, part of the territory of the region was subjected to radioactive contamination as a result of the accident at the plant for processing waste “Mayak”.

The collapse of the USSR had a negative impact on the economic situation in the region. From 1990 to 2000, rail transportation halved. In 1995, the decline in production in all sectors was 52%, in agriculture - 44%.

February 15, 2013 a relatively large meteorite flew over the territory of the oblast. It became known as the Chelyabinsk meteorite (diameter - about 17 meters, weight - about 10 thousand tons). The meteorite exploded in the vicinity of Chelyabinsk, at an altitude of 15-25 km. Several fragments of it fell in the area of Lake Chebarkul.

Nature of Chelyabinsk Oblast

Summer in the Chelyabinsk region

Author: Olga Yartseva

Chelyabinsk oblast - the land of lakes

Author: Rauer Yury

Wheat field in Chelyabinsk Oblast

Author: Alexander Pridvizhkin

Chelyabinsk Oblast - Features

Chelyabinsk Oblast is located about 1,800 km east of Moscow. The main cities are Chelyabinsk (1,179,000), Magnitogorsk (412,000), Zlatoust (159,700), Miass (150,300) and Kopeysk (145,000). Chelyabinsk and Miass are the stations on the Trans-Siberian railway.

The southeastern part of Chelyabinsk Oblast has the state border - the border with Kazakhstan. The length of the region from north to south - 490 km, from west to east - 400 km. It is comparable to the size of Hungary, Portugal, Austria, more than 2 times larger than Denmark and Switzerland, 3 times larger than Belgium and the Netherlands.

Not far from the station of Urzhumka (8 km from Zlatoust), on Uraltau Pass, there is a stone pillar. On one side it says “Europe”, on the other - “Asia”. The cities of Zlatoust, Katav-Ivanovsk, Satka are located in Europe, Chelyabinsk, Troitsk, Miass - in Asia, Magnitogorsk - in both parts of the world.

Chelyabinsk Oblast has a highly developed industry. Metallurgical, machine-building, fuel and energy, construction, agri-industrial complexes determine the industrial development of the region. Iron and steel industry stands out in the structure of the local industry (about half of the total output).

The city of Magnitogorsk is situated in the middle of one of the largest and richest iron ore deposits in the world. Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) is one of the largest steel mills in the world. Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau in Miass is a major supplier of strategic ballistic missiles for the Russian submarine fleet.

Tourism in Chelyabinsk Oblast

Chelyabinsk Oblast has unique natural and climatic conditions: picturesque landscapes, lakes, forests, caves and natural healing springs. It is the main basis for the development of tourism and recreation. Winters are cold and long, summers are relatively hot.

The northwestern part of the region is covered by forests and mountains, the rest - steppes and forest steppes. Forests cover about 24% of the territory. The highest point is Mount Bolshoy (Big) Nurgush (1406.6 meters).

Chelyabinsk Oblast is called “the land of lakes”. There are 3,170 lakes on its territory, 98 of them have areas of more than 5 sq. km., the largest lake - Uvildy - occupies 68 sq. km. The most picturesque lakes are Turgoyak and Uvildy. Many lakes have unique mineral waters and therapeutic muds. There are a lot of health resorts on the territory of the region.

There are more than 200 specially protected natural areas, including Ilmen State Nature Reserve, the historical and archaeological museum “Arkaim”, “Tanagai” and “Zyuratgul” national parks.

Skiing is actively developing. Altogether there are about 20 ski resorts, including “Abzakovo”, “Adzhigardak”, “Zavyalikha”, “Metallurg-Magnitogorsk”, “Solnechnaya Dolina”, which meet the highest European standards and are very popular.

Chelyabinsk oblast of Russia photos

Chelyabinsk Oblast scenery

Horses in Chelyabinsk Oblast

Author: Pavel Kabanov

Author: Kiyanovsky Dmitry

Snowy winter in Chelyabinsk Oblast

Author: Lezin V.V.

Churches in the Chelyabinsk region

Orthodox church in Chelyabinsk Oblast

Author: Alexander Maksimenko

Author: Marina Klein

• Currently 3.00/5

Rating: 3.0 /5 (159 votes cast)

Sponsored Links: