Requirements for Membership
Membership Criteria
CYS membership is open to term charter yachts based in the BVI with one or more permanent crew onboard. Members should be holders of, or in the process of obtaining, a BVI trade licence and annual recreational commercial vessel licence.
Basing your yacht in the BVI
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 here.
The Yacht
The Merchant Shipping (Safety of Commercial Sailing and Motor Vessels) Regulations, 2004, (S.I. 2004 No.6), which came into force on 1st February 2004. requires all yachts commercially operating in BVI waters to be compliant with one the following codes:
- 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.
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 Skipper
To operate a commercial vessel in the BVI, a skipper must hold a valid BVI Boatmasters licence. Holders of certificates from foreign countries must show supporting documentation of their licence to the VISR. A BVI Boatmaster licence will be issued upon the passing of an oral exam administered by the VISR Director and covering local knowledge and regulations.
The Virgin Islands Shipping Registry (VISR) is the Administration responsible for implementation of above regulations and safety Codes in the BVI.
For a complete list of links to applications, circulars and assisting notes click here
