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Newsletter | Articles Isle of Man launches Superyacht Registry Abridged from an article by Advocate Miles Benham of MannBenham Limited. The Isle of Man has long been recognised as having one of the premier ship registries and boasts a history going back to 1786 when the first ship registration took place. Being a Crown Dependency vessels on the Island's register fly the Red Ensign and enjoy the support of the British Consular services and naval protection. For many years the Registry has been dominated by very large vessels such as oil tankers and off shore rigs which have been managed from the Island. From 31st January this year large commercial sailing and motor vessels can be registered on the Island. To qualify for registration on the Manx Register the motor or sailing vessel must be in commercial use for sport or pleasure and be over 24 metres load line length or if built before 1968 of 150 gross tons and over and must not carry cargo or over 12 passengers. New legislation adopted by Tynwald, the Islands Parliament is based on UK regulations law. Super Yachts will need to comply with the provisions of the code of practise for the safety of large commercial sailing and motor vessels made by the UK Marine and Safety Agency. The code has been developed with the express intention of setting pollution and safety standards which are relevant to the specific needs of vessels in commercial use for sport and pleasure. Compliance with the standards required by the code will entitle a vessel to be issued with the certification required by the international convention applicable to the vessel. The Island's Marine Administration department may issue a certificate of compliance if the yacht complies with the code which then makes the Super Yacht eligible to be entered on the Manx Register. A certificate of compliance may only be issued following an initial survey carried out by one of the Marine Administration's surveyors. The certificate is valid for 5 years and is subject to an annual survey being carried out by Marine Administration or an approved organisation. The vessels must be classes with a classification society approved by the Marine Administration department such as Lloyds register or the American Bureau of Shipping. The Merchant Shipping Registration Act 1991 requires the owners of all ships of over 24 metres length registered in the IOM to appoint a body corporate resident in the IOM to act as the 'representative person/manager' for the ship. This appointment should be made prior to the registration. This person has the responsibility for the ship and is the link between the Isle of Man Marine Administration for day to day operational matters. ILS can arrange registration, incorporation and management in the Isle of Man. Contact karen.jones@ils-world.com.