Recreational vessel registry launched

The Department of Transportation (DoTr) announced the creation of a Registry of Recreational Boats under the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), where it will now take yacht owners just five days from a previous lead time of almost two years to have their vessels properly registered.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said this during the launch of the Cavite-Manila Ferry Service at the Cavite City Port Terminal on Sunday.

Marina Circular Number DS-2019-01, which was issued on 23 May 2019, mandates the registration of recreational vessels such as yachts.

Tugade said the process of creating a recreational boat registry started shortly after he assumed office when yacht builders raised the issue of the slow process of vessel registration.

“They (yacht builders) complained that they can make a yacht in less than 30 days, but they can get a license in one year. We said we will change that. Now, it will just take five days. From almost two years to five days,” Tugade said.

To define, recreational boats are vessels of up to 150.9 feet or 46 meters or less with a capacity of up to 10 tons of cargo, while recreational vessels are those being used exclusively for recreational or tourism development purposes either commercially or privately.

He also pointed out that for the first time in the history of the country, the Recreational and Leisure Maritime Vessels Code has been codified.

Tugade noted that the new registry will also serve to develop marinaand cruise-related projects in the country in areas such as in Cebu, Davao, Panglao in Bohol and Palawan. This would also allow yachts and other recreational vessels to anchor at these possible marinas and even secure registration there.