Requirements for Membership
Basing your yacht in the BVI
Perhaps you have decided to make a lifestyle change; sell it all, buy a boat, cruise the Caribbean and make a few dollars while you are at it by taking passengers on board. Or maybe you are cruising elsewhere in the world and would like to explore chartering in BVI waters. Before you pack it all in and set sail for this tropical sailing paradise you need to be aware of the intricacies of operating a charter business in the British Virgin Islands. This brief outline serves the purpose of giving you a general overview of what you should know before you arrive to charter in the BVI.
The Yacht
The yacht must be fit for the purpose. The BVI has recently moved into the 21st century, marine safety-wise, adopting several codes for small commercial vessels. The marine safety legislation went into effect at the beginning of February 2004. It is being applied to all vessels chartering in BVI waters, whether the yacht is BVI based or foreign-based. The codes are concerned with the construction of a vessel, its machinery, equipment and stability, and the correct and safe operation of the vessel.
- The “Blue Code” relates to passenger (non-cargo) sailing yachts less than 24 metres long and carrying 12 or less passengers.
- The “Yellow Code” relates to passenger (non-cargo) power yachts less than 24 metres long carrying 12 or less passengers.
- The SCV (Small Commercial Vessels) Code for the Caribbean relates to commercial vessels which are cargo, and passenger vessels of less than 24 metres, carrying no more than 150 passengers.
October of 2007. The BVI has put out a new brochure on the local Shipping Registry and requirements for flagging your vessel here. This is a large PDF copy of the brochure. It is a very large file, so be patient! Applications for inspection and certification are handled by the BVI Maritime Administration in the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry office, Sebastian’s Building, Road Town. In addition, a BVI Radio Station License and an Operator’s License are also required. Licenses are obtained through Telecommunications and Works in the RG.Hodge Building in Road Town.
