Qualifying Vessel

Commercial Vessels: For existing commercial vessels (merchant ships or commercial yachts) it should first be established if the vessel would be accepted for registration by contacting survey@cishipping.com.

Cayman uses the Merchant Ship Flag-in Matrix to assess an existing merchant ship’s operational condition and hence acceptability for registration (not used for new-builds). This Matrix includes criteria such as the vessel’s PSC record, age and type of vessel, classification society and previous Flag.

If the vessel is over 15 years old or if it obtains a high score (100+) on the Flag-in Matrix, Cayman may also require a “pre-registration” survey (a general inspection carried out by a Cayman surveyor of a vessel’s structure, machinery, accommodation, and cargo and ballast areas (if applicable), and of its documentation history) in addition to the required Convention and statutory surveys and audits.

Pleasure Yachts not engaged in Trade (Private Use): For pleasure yachts in private use and not engaged in trade, there are minimum Convention and statutory certification requirements. These requirements include the appropriate sections of MARPOL 73/78 (such as IOPP and IAPP for vessels 400 gross tonnes or more), COLREGS, and the like, depending upon the vessel’s size.

Pleasure yachts in private use not engaged in trade may, however, opt to voluntarily comply with the Large Yacht Code (LY) and in such cases, whilst registration does not require such compliance, the vessel will be surveyed for compliance at the time of registration and if found compliant then the appropriate Convention and statutory certificates will be issued accordingly.

Vessel Name

For All Vessels: It is necessary to establish whether the vessel name or the proposed name is available from Cayman by contacting client.relationships@cishipping.com. Names may be requested/reserved by an Owner, Authorised Person, Representative Person, or other parties such as shipyards, particularly in the case of new-build yachts.

CHECK A NAME