Saint Lucia Maritime Services

Ship registry and seafarer services under the Saint Lucia flag

Saint Lucia maritime services are provided by the Saint Lucia Ship Registry to shipowners, lenders and seafarers. This page lists each service with a short description and a link to the page that covers it in detail.

Vessel registration

Saint Lucia vessel registration is open to commercial ships, offshore units and yachts. The Registry accepts cargo ships, tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, passenger ships, tugs, barges, fishing vessels and special purpose ships. Registration can be provisional, permanent or bareboat, and the Registry also handles transfers from another flag and changes of ownership. The process starts with an online enquiry, after which a Registry Officer sends the document checklist and the fees that apply to your vessel. Read about vessel registration.

Yacht registration

Private and commercial yachts can be registered under the Saint Lucia flag. Registration gives the yacht a nationality, a certificate of registry to present in foreign ports and a public record of ownership. A commercial yacht that carries charter guests also has to meet the safety and manning standards that apply to its size and use, so the Registry asks how the yacht will be operated before it confirms the requirements. Owners can apply directly or through an authorised representative. Read about yacht registration.

Ship mortgage registration

A mortgage over a Saint Lucia registered ship can be recorded in the national ship register. Recording the mortgage gives public notice of the interest held by the lender, and priority between registered mortgages generally follows the order in which they are recorded. The Registry also records amendments, transfers and the discharge of a mortgage once the loan is repaid. Lenders and owners normally instruct their lawyers to prepare the mortgage documents. Read about ship mortgage registration.

Flag state services

As the flag state, Saint Lucia is responsible for the safety, security and environmental performance of the ships on its register. Flag state services include the issue of statutory certificates, the oversight of surveys and inspections, and safe manning documents. These services keep a ship in compliance after it has been registered, and they are the basis on which port state control officers abroad accept the ship and its certificates. Read about flag state services.

Seafarer services

Seafarers serving on Saint Lucia flagged vessels can obtain Certificates of Competency, endorsements that recognise certificates from other administrations, Certificates of Proficiency and seafarer identity documents. The Registry also verifies certificates, revalidates and renews documents, and replaces lost ones. No application form is needed at the start. A short enquiry is enough, and the Registry Office replies with the forms, the checklist and the fees. See Saint Lucia seafarer certification and services.

Online registry services

Most requests to the Registry can be started online. Owners can submit a vessel registration enquiry, and seafarers can request documents through the seafarer documentation form. Current marine notices for shipowners, masters and seafarers are published on this website, and answers to common questions are in the FAQ. Enquiries are answered during office hours, Monday to Friday.

Contact the Registry

Contact our team for further information.