Montenegro Yacht Registration
Montenegro has recently become a Mecca for custom formalities of non EC flagged yachts that were on ‘temporary importation’ regime in EC waters. After spending a maximum of 18 months, these yachts are required to exit EC waters (the period of discharge) before being allowed to reenter (and repeat the cycle if they wish so).
The yachting infrastructure has been significantly improved recently with new projects under way. No doubt this country will play an important role in yachting biz, bigger than its own geographical size.
Montenegro has introduced Yacht Register in 2008 with several amendments afterwards.
Still, it is rather complex and costly comparing to the next competitors.
Yacht Registration Procedure
Technical survey is the condition for the registering the yacht in the Montenegrin Yacht Register. The owner or an authorized person shall submit a Request for Technical Survey of a yacht stating the maximum number of persons (with number of bunks) and the requested area of navigation.
The Request form shall also contain information on the type of radio installation and other equipment aboard vessel. A visual survey is performed by an authorized surveyor.
Should the survey establish that the vessel’s technical properties do comply with the conditions for yachts in accordance with the Law on Yachts (Official Gazette of the Republic of Montenegro No 46/07) and the Rules for Statutory Certification of Yachts issued by the Maritime Safety Department the Document of Technical Acceptability shall be issued. This Document does not release the owner from the obligation of performing all other necessary technical surveys with the purpose of issuing navigational documents.
If the yacht is new and built in accordance with the EU Directive 94/25/EC, Federal Regulations Code 33 of the United States of America, Sections 181 and 183, and Codes MGN 280 (M) and MSN 1792 (M) of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency of the United Kingdom, no fee is to be paid.
An authorized surveyor performs the full survey of a yacht, fills out the check list for yachts’ survey and establishes the category of navigation in relation to construction and equipment of the yacht. The surveyor submits the Report on a Yacht’s Technical Survey to the Yachts Registry Division. If a yacht is subject to the statutory certification in accordance with the IMO conventions, technical survey of the yacht shall be performed by a recognized organization (Bureau Veritas, Russian Register of Shipping, etc.) with which the Maritime Safety Department has an agreement for the delegation of authority. Recognized organization shall, after the performed technical survey, submit the Survey Report to the Maritime Safety Department.
When the Register receives a positive Survey Report, the owner or an authorized person shall submit:
- 1. Application (click for form)
- 2. Certified copy of the owner’s identification for a natural person or a registration documents for a legal entity.
- 3. Evidence of ownership, declaration of ownership and purpose of a yacht,
- 4. Power of attorney in case when the registration has not been performed by the Owner
- 4. Certificate of mandatory insurance for the amount of at least €800.000, 00
- 5. Deletion Certificate from the previous register or, in the case of first registration, Builder’s Certificate;
- 6. Certified copy of sale agreement or when new yacht, Builder’s Certificate with buyer’s name stated
- 7 International Tonnage Certificate or Builder’s Certificate with Gross Tonnage data.
- 8. Application for Radio License
- 9. Request for allocation of MMSI number
In case of a yacht previously registered in a different register, the administration body shall assess the need for its survey depending on recognition of previous registrar and the yacht’s area of navigation.
In case of the first registration survey of a yacht is a precondition for its registration unless it was built in accordance with the EU Directive 94/25/EC, Federal Regulations Code 33 of the United States of America, Sections 181 and 183 or MGN Code 280 (M) and MSN Code 1792 (M) of the United Kingdom Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Should the survey be necessary the Registrar shall appoint a surveyor at the expense of the Owner.
The cost for survey is 250 € + travel expenses.
Provisional Registration
Yacht may be temporary registered for the maximum period of three months on the basis of copies of the required documents, in which period the applicant is obliged to submit the originals of the respective documents required for registration.
Categories of the area of navigation
- A navigation without limitations,
- B navigation up to 200 nautical miles from the port of refuge,
- C1 navigation up to 60 nautical miles from the port of refuge and 25 nautical miles from the shore.
- C2 navigation up to 20 nautical miles from the port of refuge and 6 nautical miles from the shore,
- C3 navigation, during daylight and under good weather conditions, up to 20 nautical miles from the port of refuge and 6 nautical miles from the shore.
Registration Certificate validity
Registration Certificates are issued for yachts intended for personal use, the length of which is 24 m or less; carrying maximum 12 persons are valid 3 years.
All other yachts validity period of certificates shall be one year.
Mandatory equipment onboard the yacht
Depending on the area of navigation the yacht shall have onboard (click for the list)
The cost
- Fees for inscription in the Register of Yachts of Montenegro
Registration and renewal of Certificate of Registry:
350 € for yachts from 7 to 12 meters in length;
500 € for yachts from 12 to 17 meters in length;
800 € for yachts from 17 to 24 meters in length;
1.200 € for yachts of over 24 meters in length. - Vessel use tax
- Radio License & MMSI
Administratve tax 20 €. - Legal representative in Montenegro
An authorized person by the owner who will represent the owner against all institutions and authorities in this rather complex procedure.
The fee is 2000 €.
