Cat 1 for Visiting Yachts

[Old Girl 0]

This answer is likely to be lurking around somewhere, blowed if I can find it? It was my understanding that visiting Yachts did not have to have Cat 1 on leaving NZ. Have been told they do? For small yachts this could put many off visiting NZ? if you can get here and have been sailing around for many years Cat 1 before leaving would be nuts. Am talking very safe well maintained boats, very experience people, with safty gear that is excepted everywhere else in the world. Please tell me these sailors do not have to have a NZ Cat 1 to leave here.

[Rangi1 50]

As long as the boat is not registered in NZ, they don't need Cat 1 to leave is my understanding

[Murky 1]

Current Safety Regs on the YNZ website refer only (and in multiple places) to "NZ flagged/registered vessels" - can't claim to be an expert but it is looking promising for your original understanding.

[Island Time 1,230]

Old Girl, you are correct. The NZ govt tried to do this, but a foreign flagged vessel is not under NZ law. This has been proven in court. Cat 1 is NZ flagged vessels only. Although I'd advise anyone sailing to or from NZ to have a vessel and gear of similar standard....

[Guest]

The industry spat the dummy large when nanny state tried that on. I'm told technically they can still enforce that if they want but they are choosing knot to due to the backlash and the most obvious thing of all being the boats have to have had sailed at least 1000nm to get here in the 1st place.

 

They did use that to stop a loony down south a few years ago. It was a give in he'd kill himself so they used that to stop us having to pay to retrieve his body.

 

If you are a NZer who doesn't like being discriminated against by your own Govt, for $25-30 you can register your boat in Nigeria and that comes with all the privileges of a Commonwealth flagged vessel, which are the thick end of sweet bugger all anyway, and probably your own Gmail account already set up for spamming

[Steve Pope 243]

You can do the same in the channel islands (UK) comonwealth access same as Nigeria. cheap as!

[Island Time 1,230]

Not as easy as it used to be, due to the EU. People were doing that to avoid import duties. I understand that that loophole had been closed.

[Steve Pope 243]

nup, it's still there, at least it is still advertised on the net. one example: there are others,

[Guest]

Careful with that as may affect your insurance.

[Island Time 1,230]

That site says "any vessel going overseas". I think you'll find they are talking about local vessels, or at least EU, and that you will have to pay duty on a foreign vessel, AND provide an EU passport for the owner before they will accept a registration.

 

I met several vessels over the last few years who had done this - mostly through Belgium, as they gave EU registration, and then you could take a vessel "home" to the UK without duty. I understand this is no longer the case with Belgium, due to pressure from the other EU govts.

 

But hey, perhaps you have found another possibility!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[rigger 47]

When Squid gets back - ask him. BP is Port Vila registration.

[Bimini Babe 0]

I have a British passport AND an address in the UK - anyone who wants to sing their boat over to me to avoid Cat 1 is quite welcome to do so.

[Island Time 1,230]

I should have pointed out that I was only talking about EU country registration. There are plenty of other "flags of convenience" if you just want to avoid cat 1. Like Vanuatu...etc

 

Do you REALLY want to avoid Cat 1? Most of the requirements are basic safety items, seaworthiness etc. The inspectors have a fair degree of latitude, and the good ones will listen to why something is not appropriate to your situation. Unfortunately there are some with little or no offshore experience, and even limited experience in offshore capable yachts - these are normally the "by the book" guys. If you have a serious disagreement with one, find another....

 

Also, if your boat is not NZ registered, you better have proof of NZ Duty/GST payment when returning, or that could be a problem. Even if the boat is built here....

[wheels 543]

anyone who wants to sing their boat over to me

Would you accept Humming???

[Guest]

Do you REALLY want to avoid Cat 1? Most of the requirements are basic safety items, seaworthiness etc.

 

I have to carry a throw line under Cat1.... I'm a single hander!! OK, I might just happen upon some lost soul in their inflatable death raft and need a line to throw... Someone said "nanny state" and they couldn't be more right. What ever happened to freedom of the sea? Trouble is, we can't protect idiots from themselves but we can protect OTHERS from them! I believe any vessel carrying passengers or crew should be subject to inspection prior to clearance. Single handers??.. "sign here and we won't come looking for you".

Of interest, MSA can inspect visiting vessels regardless of where they are from. (or registered!!).

[Island Time 1,230]

Yep, I agree WD, the rules were not written with single handers in mind. In fact, if that was really enforced you would not be allowed to single hand. Can't keep watch. Lots of other stuff is superfluous for single handers - life rings, danbouys etc. Same reason. This is why the inspectors have discretion. In my experience, if they think you are experienced, prepared, and happy with your vessel, the inspections are easier.

 

Also agree that MSA can inspect whomever they like. Its what they can do about it that differs. I seem to remember an Asian fishing boat coming in to Wellington a few years ago that did not even have anchors! It was "escorted" out of our waters with clear instructions not to come back.... Could be wrong though, so if this concerns you, I suggest you contact MSA...