As an introduction, read our '10 Reasons for Vessel Registration in The Cayman Islands' by clicking on the above button.
Who is eligible to register a vessel in the Cayman Islands?
1. Cayman individuals and corporate entities;
2. Individuals and corporate entities listed in section 4 of the Merchant Shipping Law of the Cayman Islands;
3. Corporate entities organized in a jurisdiction with similar anti money laundering
regulations as the Cayman Islands (often called Schedule 3 countries) and having
a representative person appointed in the Cayman Islands; and
4. Non Schedule 3 country corporate entities which are registered as
foreign companies in the Cayman Islands pursuant to the provisions of part IX of
the Companies Law.
For a list of Schedule 3 countries or a copy of the Merchant Shipping Law please click the appropriate button below.
What is required to register?
For pleasure vessels of 24 metres or more and under 400 gross tonnes (forms are available below in the download section or on the CISR website at www.cishipping.com):
1. Completed CISR Forms:
854 (proposed name of vessel)
855 (appointment of authorized person)
856 (application to register a vessel)
2. Supporting documents:
(i) For the vessel:
Notarized original bill of sale
Certificate of Survey
Tonnage Certificate (ITC 69)
(ii) For the owning entity:
Certificate of incorporation
Certificate of good standing
Resolutions authorizing the acquisition and registration and any related powers of attorney.
For commercially registered vessels all of the above plus:
1. International Load Line Certificate
2. Safety Radio Certificate (if more than 300 GT)
3. IMO number (if more than 300 GT)
4. International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (if more than 400 GT)
5. Certificate of Compliance (if less than 500 GT)
6. Classification Certificate
Vessels of 500 GT and over also require:
1. Safety Construction Certificate
2. Safety Equipment Certificate
3. International Ship Security Certificate
4. Safe Manning Document
5. Safety Management Certificate
Once the vessel has been registered, a carving and marking note is issued by the Registrar to be signed by a surveyor and returned within 21 days to confirm that the vessel has been marked with the vessel name, official number, tonnage and port of registry. For a list of approved surveyors see below.
A radio licence for the vessel should be obtained from ICTA in the Cayman Islands for information and application form see www.icta.ky or click for an application form below.
What about finance?
Most of the major lenders are familiar with the Cayman Islands and comfortable with the security provided by a Cayman Islands mortgage which can be registered against the vessel. The mortgage is in statutory form and is normally supported by a deed of covenants collateral to the mortgage which sets out the agreed terms between the lender and the borrower.
The original notarized mortgage is required for registration together with any power of attorney issued to the signatory and a form CISR 857 must be completed by way of application to register the mortgage. Normally a lender will require a transcript of British Registry once the mortgage has been registered to evidence its proper registration against the vessel. This can be requested on the same form CISR 857 (available below).
To Register a vessel in the Cayman Islands or for some further information, download our application form below or contact us.
2. Individuals and corporate entities listed in section 4 of the Merchant Shipping Law of the Cayman Islands;
3. Corporate entities organized in a jurisdiction with similar anti money laundering
regulations as the Cayman Islands (often called Schedule 3 countries) and having
a representative person appointed in the Cayman Islands; and
4. Non Schedule 3 country corporate entities which are registered as
foreign companies in the Cayman Islands pursuant to the provisions of part IX of
the Companies Law.
For a list of Schedule 3 countries or a copy of the Merchant Shipping Law please click the appropriate button below.
What is required to register?
For pleasure vessels of 24 metres or more and under 400 gross tonnes (forms are available below in the download section or on the CISR website at www.cishipping.com):
1. Completed CISR Forms:
854 (proposed name of vessel)
855 (appointment of authorized person)
856 (application to register a vessel)
2. Supporting documents:
(i) For the vessel:
Notarized original bill of sale
Certificate of Survey
Tonnage Certificate (ITC 69)
(ii) For the owning entity:
Certificate of incorporation
Certificate of good standing
Resolutions authorizing the acquisition and registration and any related powers of attorney.
For commercially registered vessels all of the above plus:
1. International Load Line Certificate
2. Safety Radio Certificate (if more than 300 GT)
3. IMO number (if more than 300 GT)
4. International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (if more than 400 GT)
5. Certificate of Compliance (if less than 500 GT)
6. Classification Certificate
Vessels of 500 GT and over also require:
1. Safety Construction Certificate
2. Safety Equipment Certificate
3. International Ship Security Certificate
4. Safe Manning Document
5. Safety Management Certificate
Once the vessel has been registered, a carving and marking note is issued by the Registrar to be signed by a surveyor and returned within 21 days to confirm that the vessel has been marked with the vessel name, official number, tonnage and port of registry. For a list of approved surveyors see below.
A radio licence for the vessel should be obtained from ICTA in the Cayman Islands for information and application form see www.icta.ky or click for an application form below.
What about finance?
Most of the major lenders are familiar with the Cayman Islands and comfortable with the security provided by a Cayman Islands mortgage which can be registered against the vessel. The mortgage is in statutory form and is normally supported by a deed of covenants collateral to the mortgage which sets out the agreed terms between the lender and the borrower.
The original notarized mortgage is required for registration together with any power of attorney issued to the signatory and a form CISR 857 must be completed by way of application to register the mortgage. Normally a lender will require a transcript of British Registry once the mortgage has been registered to evidence its proper registration against the vessel. This can be requested on the same form CISR 857 (available below).
To Register a vessel in the Cayman Islands or for some further information, download our application form below or contact us.