Choosing between private and commercial registration determines how you can operate your yacht legally.
Private Registration
- For personal, non-commercial use
- No chartering allowed
- Lower survey requirements
- Fewer safety inspections
- Often lower annual fees
Commercial Registration
- Required if you charter or operate for hire
- Requires full compliance with:
- MLC 2006 (where applicable)
- Safety surveys
- Minimum Safe Manning
- Crew qualifications
Commercial registration offers the ability to generate income through charters—but comes with strict compliance obligations.
How to decide Which registration Type is Best
| Will you charter the yacht? |
| ↓ |
| Yes → Commercial registration required |
| ↓ |
| Are you prepared for surveys & crew certification? |
| ↓ |
| Yes → Choose a charter-friendly flag (Malta, Marshall Islands) |
| No → Private registration only |