Sports and leisure: Boat enthusiasts

I would like to register my yacht. What is the procedure and will it change upon EU membership?

Registration of yachts will remain as is, even upon EU membership, namely that the owner of a yacht must register the vessel with the Malta Maritime Authority. In order to register a yacht under the Maltese flag, you may apply for a provisional registration, which is valid for six months or for a permanent registration.

The documents required are as follows: a survey certificate that attests the yacht's seaworthiness, which is obtained from an authorised surveyor in the port where the yacht lies; an international tonnage certificate if the yacht is more than 24 metres in length; a bill of sale showing that the yacht has been bought and a radio licence, if a radio is installed.

Moreover, if the yacht has been registered previously outside Malta, a certificate showing cancellation of registry from that last country of registry must be produced.

If the yacht is brand new or has never been registered anywhere previously, a builder's certificate is to be produced. Upon approval, the Malta Maritime Authority will issue a certificate of registration. Yachts which are under six metres in length and which do not leave national territorial waters are registered with the Yachting Services Directorate.