Vessel Types
Recreational Pleasure Craft
You own a sailing yacht, a motor cruiser, a catamaran, or another pleasure craft. Whether you are registering for the first time, moving to a new flag state, planning a delivery voyage, or simply making sure everything is properly in order, this page sets out the services available to you and where to find the detail on each one.
Everything your recreational yacht needs, in one place
Owning a pleasure craft involves more administration than most first-time owners expect. Registration under the right flag state, the correct documentation on board, a valid Ship Station Licence for your radio, and when the time comes to sell or re-flag, a formal withdrawal correctly handled. Each of these is a separate process, and each has its own requirements.
Lorrendraaier handles all of it. We work with private yacht owners alongside maritime professionals, and we treat both with the same directness and attention. If you are not sure where to start, start with registration advice, a written assessment of the flag states available to you, based on your nationality, where you plan to sail, your vessel’s age and VAT status, and any plans you may have for future commercial use.
If you already know what you need, the six services below link directly to the relevant pages. Each page explains the process in full, sets out what is required, and tells you how to get started.
We do not provide fiscal or legal advice directly, but we have a network of specialists we can refer you to where those aspects are relevant to your registration decision.
Services for your pleasure craft
What counts as a recreational pleasure craft?
A recreational pleasure craft is any vessel used exclusively for private, non-commercial recreation, whether that is a sailing yacht, a motor cruiser, a catamaran, or a speedboat. The owner and guests use the vessel for pleasure; no fee is charged to anyone on board.
Sailing yachts
Motor yachts & cruisers
Catamarans
Speedboats & dayboats
If your vessel is used – or will be used – for charter or any commercial purpose, see Commercial Pleasure Craft instead. The registration requirements are different.
Six services for recreational yacht owners
Each service below covers a specific need. Select the one that applies to your situation for the full details on what is involved, what is required, and how to get started.
Service 01
Yacht Registration
Register your sailing yacht, motor yacht, or catamaran under the right flag state. We manage the full process – documentation, application, and liaison with the flag state authority – through to the Certificate of Registry.
The flag state you choose determines the legal framework that applies to your vessel, including the safety standards, crew requirements, and how your yacht is treated by port authorities abroad. Getting this right at the outset matters.
Service 02
Provisional Yacht Registration
Delivering your yacht from one location to another, or moving between flag states? A provisional registration gives your vessel a valid flag for the duration of the passage, issued within 24 hours for vessels under 24 metres in most cases.
Provisional registration covers the period between the deletion from the current register and the formal registration under the new flag. It can also be used as a bridge while the full registration process is under way.
Service 03
Yacht Withdrawal
Selling your yacht, moving to a new flag state, or closing the registration for any other reason? Yacht withdrawal – also called yacht deletion – is the formal process of removing your vessel from the current register.
Some receiving registers require the Certificate of Deletion to carry an Apostille before they will accept it. We confirm this at the outset and manage both steps – the deletion and the Apostille where needed – as a single process.
Service 04
Yacht Registration Advice
Not sure which flag state is right for your yacht? The answer depends on your nationality, where you plan to sail, the age and VAT status of the vessel, and whether you might want to use it commercially in the future.
We assess all of these factors and deliver a written report that sets out the flag states available to you, what each one requires, and the advantages and limitations of each option. A clear, documented basis for your decision, before any application is filed.
Service 05
Survey Coordination
Some flag states require a survey before they will register a vessel, particularly for older yachts or vessels above a certain size. Even where a survey is not required, it is often a prudent step before purchase or re-registration.
We coordinate the survey process: identifying the right surveyor for your vessel type and location, briefing them on the flag state’s specific requirements, and reviewing the outcome before the registration application is submitted. You benefit from our experience without needing to navigate the surveyor network yourself.
Service 06
Ship Station Licence
If your yacht carries a VHF radio or any other radio communication equipment, it requires a valid Ship Station Licence. The licence is issued to the vessel — not to the skipper — and is tied to the vessel’s registration.
We arrange Ship Station Licences alongside or following registration, and can also handle a new licence when you re-flag your vessel. The licence includes the vessel’s CallSign, MMSI number, and ATIS code where applicable.
Which service applies and when
The services above are not all needed at the same time. Here is how they fit into the typical journey of a recreational yacht owner.
Registration advice
Before you buy, before you register, and certainly before you re-flag, get objective advice on the flag states available to you and what each one means in practice. A written report, tailored to your vessel and your situation.Provisional yacht registration
If the vessel needs to be sailed from one location to another before the full registration is in place – or during the transition between two flag states – a provisional registration gives it a valid flag for the passage. Issued within 24 hours for most vessels under 24 metres.In which flag states can we register your vessel?
We primarily register with European flag states, these are well regarded internationally and offer a stable regulatory framework. Below is an overview of the registers we work with.
EU ship registers are mutually recognised across member states and offer strong legal protection for owners. Each has its own character, some are better suited to private pleasure craft, others to commercial operation.
Outside the EU, a number of European registers are well established and internationally accepted. These can be attractive options depending on ownership structure and intended sailing area.
Direct, clear, and experienced
Most yacht owners only register a vessel once or twice in their lives. The process is unfamiliar, the terminology can be confusing, and the choice of flag state is not as straightforward as it might seem. Lorrendraaier has been helping private yacht owners through this process for over ten years.
We do not use call centres or answering services. When you contact us, you speak directly with someone who knows what they are doing and can give you a clear, honest answer. If there is something we cannot help with – fiscal or legal advice, for example – we will tell you that clearly and refer you to the right specialist.
Our processes are ISO 9001 certified, which means every registration – whether it is for a small sailing yacht or a large ocean-going motor cruiser – is handled consistently and thoroughly. We have a 9/10 client satisfaction score, maintained for over ten consecutive years.
ISO 9001 Certified
Consistent, documented processes for every registration and service.
9/10 satisfaction
Ten consecutive years at a 9/10 client satisfaction score.
Commercial charter expertise
Experience with the full charter spectrum, from occasional to full-time commercial.
Direct contact
No answering services. Boudewijn will speak with you personally.
GDPR compliant
Your data and your clients’ data handled securely throughout.
Honest scope
Clear on what we do and do not provide.
Frequently asked questions
See how we’ve handled this before
Real registrations we’ve handled for pleasure craft owners moving between flag states.
Not sure where to start?
Drop us a note or give us a call. Tell us about your yacht, where it is currently registered, and what you need. We will point you in the right direction and take it from there. Boudewijn will be happy to speak with you personally.