Private Yachts

A private yacht is considered to be any yacht not carrying passengers for hire, not engaged in trade or commerce, and being used solely for the pleasure or recreational purposes of its owner. The registration of private yachts is limited to those of 12 m or more in length. Private yachts may carry more than 12 guests on board, provided additional flag State requirements are met.

Private Yachts of less than 24 m

Private yachts 12 m or more but less than 24 m in LOA and under 20 years of age are no longer required to undergo a pre-registration inspection. However, the Administrator reserves the right to require such an inspection as deemed necessary.

Under the new rules, private yacht owners are required to complete MI-127PY, Declaration of Private Use – Not for Hire, acknowledging their responsibility to meet certain safety and environmental pollution prevention measures. However, all private yachts over 20 years of age will still be required to undergo a pre-registration inspection by either an Appointed Representative (AR) or Qualified Individual (QI).

The fee to register a private yacht under 24 m is US$1,600.

¹ Includes Permanent Certificate of Registry.
² Renewable every four (4) years (see §10.0 for renewal fees).

Documentation Requirements

• MI-127PY, Declaration of Private Use – Not for Hire

Survey Requirements

• All classed private yachts of 20 years of age or less, regardless of tonnage and size, may, at the discretion of the Administrator, satisfy the pre-registration inspection requirements by submitting current, valid class and statutory certificates. In this case, a separate inspection will normally not be required; however, a current list of firefighting and life-saving appliances shall be submitted for review.
• All unclassed private yachts of 24 m or more in LOA and less than 400 GT must undergo a registration inspection by an AR. This must be accomplished prior to registration, unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator. In all cases, the inspection must occur within 30 days of registration. Failure to comply with this requirement may lead to the private yacht Certificate of Registry becoming invalid and, consequently, the yacht’s deletion from the RMI Registry.
• All unclassed private yachts of 24 m or more in LOA and 400 GT or more (and thus subject to statutory certification) are required to undergo a pre-registration inspection. This inspection must be carried out by an AR prior to registration.
• All private yachts over 20 years old, regardless of size, are required to undergo a pre-registration inspection prior to registration under the RMI flag.
• Private yachts over 20 years old and 24 m or more in LOA must be inspected by an AR.
• Private yachts over 20 years old and less than 24 m in LOA, must be inspected by an AR or a QI. The owner must contact the AR or QI directly to schedule attendance.

Note: See MN-2-011-55, Surveys and Issuing International Convention and National Certificates for Private Yachts for additional guidance.

*A QI is an individual or entity which, upon evidence of relevant and sufficient experience, is deemed qualified in writing by the Administrator to carry out pre-registration inspections. The latest list of RMI approved QIs can be found in MI-103B.