Purchase, documentation and registration

The purchase

Purchasing a boat can be done through a broker or directly through the owner / owners.

It is important that the current owner / seller prepares an accurate description of the boat as possible, as early in the purchase phase as possible, so you can get an in-depth knowledge of the boat that you have shown interest in.

You need to find out if the boat meets your requirements and has the right size so that you can sail it – and if possible, alone. In addition, about the boat’s dimensions fits the berth you either have or have access to.

It is also important that you make clear whether sailing the yacht or vessel requires any kind of sailing certificate. The requirements very and depends of the flag of the vessel.

You should also have given some thought to the boat’s maintenance and insurance, so that there will be no unpleasant surprises on the day the purchase is a reality, which will mean that you will have to part with the boat again.

Documentation

When it comes to documentation, it is very important that the person who sells the boat is the rightful owner of the boat; it may sound banal, but it has unfortunately happened that one part owner of the boat (part owner or spouse) has sold the boat on behalf of the rightful owner.

In such cases, a buyer may end up having to “pay the boat twice”, making it a very expensive boat.

This can be avoided by the seller presenting his receipt (his purchase contract) or possibly documentation for registration in National Ship Registry.

There should also be documentation for both engine service, previous repairs and other issues that may affect the value of the boat or maintained in the long term.

The seller will always be required to present the mentioned papers / certificates, and if this is not possible, the purchase should be reconsidered.

Registration in the Danish Ship Registry

Yachts under 20 GT (volume dimensions – not the weight of the boat) can NOT be entered into the Danish Ship Registry, and consequently no sea bond can be issued in the yacht. However, in the event of a mortgage, these boats can be registered in the general National Morgage Registry for vehicles.

Yachts over 20 GT, on the other hand, are subject to registration, which means that the owner are abliged to let the yacht register. This typically applies to boats over 50 feet or 15 feet of hull length.

To be able to make such a registration, the yacht must have a Tonnage Certificate (performed by an authorized Danish Tonnage Measurer), which must be filled in a apploication of the yacht for registration and a application of purchaser as the owner (shipowner). These registrations can be performed online (Virk.dk) and can be signed using NemId.

For the registration to be completed, the Danish Maritime Authority must have documentation that the boat is not mortgaged elsewhere, and proof of ownership (Bill of Sale)

This is done by documenting thevarious ownership all the way back to Builders Certificate, or back to a registration in another country’s registry.

In addition, if you trade abroad, you must obtain either a Deletion Certificate or a Certificate of Non-registration (non-Reg) in the country from which it is purchased.

Without these documents, the Danish Maritime Authority may refuse to register the yacht, as a registration of the yacht is Danish Maritine Authorities proof that the yacht is owned your and free from other ownership and debt/morgage obligations.

When the registration has been completed, the Ship Registry issues a Certificate of Nationality