COOK ISLANDS SHIPS REGISTRY
The Cook Islands operates an open ships and yacht register. As registered agent for Maritime Cook Islands; we can assist to easily and efficiently complete your registration.
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THE COOK ISLANDS
The Cook Islands is a self-governing island country in the South Pacific Ocean comprising of 15 islands and atolls spread over 2 million square kilometers of ocean.
Maritime Cook Islands is the administrator of the Cook Islands Ships Registry and offer vessel registration, certification, surveys and endorse seafarers who serve on Cook Islands registered ships.
YACHT REGISTRATION OPTIONS
COMMERCIAL YACHTS
For yachts engaged in trade, commerce, on charter or carrying passengers for hire.
Details
PRIVATE YACHTS
For yachts that are used for private voyages or excursions and are not engaged in commercial use.
Details
MERCHANT VESSELS &
COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSELS
For merchant vessels and fishing vessels that intend to fish in Cook Island waters.
Details
“We provide well-tailored solutions as well as maintain service excellence to our clients..”
– Maritime Cook Islands
COMMERCIAL YACHT REGISTRATION PROCESS
Provisional Registration Criteria
Subject to approval by the Registrar of Ships, and upon payment of the registration fee, a Provisional Certificate of Registry will be issued. This certificate is effective from the date of issue and valid for a period of 3 months. During this time the requirements for permanent registration are to be completed. The Registrar may extend the period of provisional registration in special circumstances.
The vessel registration process is commenced by completing an ‘Application for Registration’.
The Application Form is to be accompanied by:
Owner Details
- Company Certificate / CIYS membership letter
- Bill of Sale* / Builders Certificate*
- Evidence of Shareholding of Owners* ( if more than one owner)
Declaration
- Power of Attorney*
Other
- Signed and witnessed application form.
* Reviewed, signed and sealed by a Justice of the Peace, a Commissioner for Oaths, Solicitor, Notary Public or the Registrar or Deputy Registrar of Ships of the Cook Islands Registry or before any person authorised by law to administer oaths in the country where the declaration is made.
Permanent Registration Criteria
Owner Details
- Company Certificate / CIYS membership letter
Other
- Carving and Markings Note, including current photo of vessel
- Pre-Registration Inspection ( if applicable)
- Proof of Deletion from previous flag ( if charter registration)
- Proof of suspension from previous flag (if charter registration)
- Completed copies of all previous closed CR ( as per SOLAS Chapter XI-1 Regulation 5-8) ( all vessels over 500GT)
- Copy of P&I policy evidencing financial security for MLC regulation 2.5 and 4.2 ( applicable to all commercial vessels; MCI requires that the MLC financial security is maintained, and will require evidence that it is maintained) ( for commercially operated vessels, excluding unmanned barges)
* Reviewed, signed and sealed by a Justice of the Peace, a Commissioner for Oaths, Solicitor, Notary Public or the Registrar or Deputy Registrar of Ships of the Cook Islands Registry or before any person authorised by law to administer oaths in the country where the declaration is made.
N.B. The Registrar has the discretion to require, if deemed necessary, additional surveys to be conducted before issuance of a Permanent Certificate of Registry. Failure to submit required documents may delay the registration process.
Period of Registration
Owner can opt to register the yacht for 1 year, 3 years or 5 years.
The owner of the yacht may register for a one (1) year, where the owner must renew his/her yacht registration on an annual basis. Alternatively a three (3) year or five (5) year registration can be paid in advance, freeing the owner from annual filings.
Home Ports
The owner of a yacht registered in the Cook Islands has the option of selecting from the following Ports of Registry:
- AVATIU
- CIYS – Cook Islands
- CIYS – Avatiu
- CIYS – Arutanga
- Arutanga
PRIVATE YACHT REGISTRATION PROCESS
Provisional Registration Criteria
The vessel registration process is commenced by completing an ‘Application for Registration’.
The Application Form is to be accompanied by:
Owner Details
- Company Certificate / CIYS membership letter
Other
- Carving and Markings Note, including current photo of vessel
- Pre-Registration Inspection ( if applicable)
- Proof of Deletion from previous flag
- Proof of suspension from previous flag (if charter registration)
- Completed copies of all previous closed CR ( as per SOLAS Chapter XI-1 Regulation 5-8) ( all vessels over 500GT)
- Copy of P&I policy evidencing financial security for MLC regulation 2.5 and 4.2 ( applicable to all commercial vessels; MCI requires that the MLC financial security is maintained, and will require evidence that it is maintained) ( for commercially operated vessels, excluding unmanned barges)
Permanent Registration Criteria
The Registrar has the discretion to require, if deemed necessary, additional surveys to be conducted before issuance of a Permanent Certificate of Registry.
Owner Details
- Company Certificate / CIYS membership letter
Other
- Carving and Markings Note, including current photo of vessel ( see attachment below)
- Pre-Registration Inspection ( if applicable)
- Proof of Deletion from previous flag
- Proof of suspension from previous flag (if charter registration)
- Completed copies of all previous closed CR ( as per SOLAS Chapter XI-1 Regulation 5-8) ( all vessels over 500GT)
- Copy of P&I policy evidencing financial security for MLC regulation 2.5 and 4.2 ( applicable to all commercial vessels; MCI requires that the MLC financial security is maintained, and will require evidence that it is maintained) ( for commercially operated vessels, excluding unmanned barges)
Period of Registration
Owner can opt to register the yacht for 1 year, 3 years or 5 years.
The owner of the yacht may register for a one (1) year, where the owner must renew his/her yacht registration on an annual basis. Alternatively a three (3) year or five (5) year registration can be paid in advance, freeing the owner from annual filings.
Home Ports
The owner of a yacht registered in the Cook Islands has the option of selecting from the following Ports of Registry:
- AVATIU
- CIYS – Cook Islands
- CIYS – Avatiu
- CIYS – Arutanga
- Arutanga
MERCHANT VESSELS & COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSELS
Merchant Vessles
All vessels being considered for registration (except for unmanned barges and Fishing Vessels) will be assessed through Risk Analysis and Vetting.
Any tankers that deliver fuel for fishing vessels at sea are deemed to be “fishing vessels” under the Marine Resources Act so therefore will be required to apply for a fishing licence.
The risk analysis inter alia considers the vessels performance and the proposed ISM management company’s performance.
Contact Maritime Cook Islands for further information and registration assistance.
Commercial Fishing Vessels
Cook Islands will only register fishing vessels that intend to fish in Cook Islands waters or in the waters of Regional Fisheries Management Organisations to which Cook Islands is party, once a Fishing licence from the Cook Islands Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) has been obtained.
Contact Maritime Cook Islands for further information and registration assistance.