U.S. Virgin Islands Boat Registration Overview
All you should know about registering and operating a boat in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
U.S. Virgin Islands boat registration overview is a free public service designed to inform boaters about operational requirements, recording methods, and record search lookups for the U.S. Virgin Islands. This includes essential references for the most detailed and accurate information currently available.
Registration Agency
Virgin Islands boat registration is administered by the
Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) which is headquartered
in St. Thomas . Registration services are handled exclusively through their
boat registration division.
Registration Statistics: There are approximately 2,796 boats
currently registered in the U.S. Virgin Islands. USCG vessel documentation
records indicate 321 documented owners with a U.S. Virgin Islands address
and 931 documented vessels that display a Virgin Islands hailing
port.
Uniform Titling: U.S. Virgin Islands is a non-title
jurisdiction and has not yet adopted the Uniform Certificate of Title for
Vessels Act (UCOTVA) which basically sets the same nationwide standards for
boat titling similar to those for vehicles. There are accordingly no
provisions for title branding in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Vessel Identification System: The U.S. Virgin Islands participates in the Vessel Identification System (VIS) where boat registration data is shared among government agencies throughout the nation.
Registration Requirements
The U.S. Virgin Islands requires registration on all non-exempt
boats that operate within its jurisdictional waters. The following are basic
requirements and exemptions with further details available from the
referrals for this overview.
Motor Boats: Registration is required
on all motorized boats and watercraft in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Sailboats:
Sailboats are subject to registration in the U.S. Virgin Islands if
motorized or over 16 feet in length.
Canoes and Kayaks: Manually propelled canoes and kayaks are exempt
from registration in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Inflatable Boats:
Inflatable boats are exempt from registration in the U.S. Virgin Islands if
motorized.
Dinghies and Tenders: Dinghies and tenders must be registered in the
U.S. Virgin Islands if mechanically powered.
Lifeboats: Lifeboats
are exempt from registration in the U.S. Virgin Islands if used exclusively
for such purpose.
Documented Vessels: Coast Guard documented vessels are
subject to registration in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Visiting Boats:
Foreign boats, USCG documented vessels and those registered in another state
may visit the U.S. Virgin Islands
for not more than 60 consecutive days before having to register.
Boat Titles:
Boat titles are not available in the U.S. Virgin Islands as it is a
registration only jurisdiction.
Outboard Motors: Titles and registrations are not
available for outboard motors in the U.S. Virgin Islands. However their
serial numbers must be presented when applying for a boat registration.
Boat Trailers:
Boat trailers are registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Registration Application
Persons who wish to register any boat in the U.S.
Virgin Islands must complete an application for registration
which can be obtained from the Department of Planning and
Natural Resources. In doing so, you will need to provide
evidence of ownership and fees.
Application Forms: A boat registration application and other
related forms can be obtained from the DPNR.
Manufacturer's Statement:
When a new boat is to be registered for the first time, you must
present a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin or Builder's certification. The statement or
certification must be properly
assigned into your name or accompanied by a bill of sale.
Previous Title: When a boat was previously state titled,
you must present a properly assigned title certificate or one
that is accompanied by a bill of sale.
Previous
Registration: If a boat was registered in a non-title
state, it will be necessary to present an assigned registration
certificate or one that is accompanied by a bill of sale.
Loan Foreclosures: In order to register a foreclosed
boat, the lender will need to provide evidence of compliance with
the respective jurisdictional laws.
Mechanic's Liens:
In order to register a boat foreclosed on towing, storage and
service possessory liens you must provide evidence of compliance
with jurisdictional lien laws.
Abandoned Boats: In
order to register an abandoned boat you must provide evidence of
compliance with jurisdictional abandoned property laws.
Registration Bonding: Contact the DPNR for information
about registration bonding when there is insufficient proof of
ownership.
Registration Fees:
The most current list of boat registration fees may be found by
visiting the DPNR website.
Registration Renewals: Boat
registration renewals in are available in person, by mail or
online from the DPNR website.
Numbering Requirements
Boat registration numbers in the U.S. Virgin
Islands begin
with an "VI" designation which is followed by four numbers and
then two letters. These must be displayed on all registered
boats along with the current registration decals. State boat
numbering configuration, size and placement requirements are
dictated by federal regulations. More detailed information can
be found in the referrals for this page.
Hull Numbers:
All vessels built after 1972 are required to have a properly
formatted 12 digit hull identification number. Although
typically assigned and installed by the manufacturer, owners
with older, homemade, or imported boats may apply to the
Department of Planning and Natural Resources for a hull number
assignment. These are prefixed with the letters "VIZ" in place
of the manufacturer's identification code. Boats must be
inspected by a law enforcement official whenever their is a
missing or questionable hull identification number.
Lien and Security Interest Recordings
The available options for securing loans, liens
and claims against boats registered in the U.S. Virgin Islands are determined by
various factors. These include the type of debt, obligation or
liability and whether the boat is USCG documented.
Loan Security Interests: Security interests on registered
boats in the U.S. Virgin Islands must recorded as UCC
filings with the Division of Trademarks and Corporations. If a boat qualifies for USCG documentation, the
lender must obtain a preferred vessel mortgage in order to perfect or
prioritize its security interest. These are recorded with the National
Vessel Documentation Center.
Tax Liens: Tax liens are
sometimes flagged in the state's boat registration database,
recorded as Uniform Commercial Code filings, shown on state
revenue records, or filed with a court clerk's office.
Mechanic's Liens:
There are no means of recording mechanics or storage liens on
the U.S. Virgin Islands registration records. However these may be listed
for informational purposes on a USCG documented vessel's underlying
abstract of title. Our boat lien claims registry also serves as
a proprietary source of exposing such information to the general
public.
Stolen Boats:
Although stolen boats are not typically viewed as maritime
liens, the true owner may have rights of recovery regardless of
a subsequent owner's awareness. There are no methods for
recording stolen boats in the U.S. Virgin Islands other than by filing a report with the
DPNR. These will in turn become listed
in their stolen boat database and perhaps the National Crime
Information Center database. Our stolen boat registry also
serves as a proprietary database for the boating industry.
Registration and Lien Searches
Registration and lien search methods for U.S.
Virgin Islands registered
boats will vary according to the type of lien and whether the
boat is USCG documented.
Registration Database Searches:
Registration records for the U.S. Virgin Islands are maintained
in a database administered by the Department of Planning and
Natural Resources. Access to such data is available for owners
and certain qualified parties as prescribed by regulatory
standards. Comprehensive guidelines about boat record searches
in the U.S. Virgin Islands can be found in the references
for this overview.
UCC Searches:
Uniform Commercial Code filing searches in the U.S. Virgin
Islands are available online from the Division of Trademarks and
Corporations website.
USCG Documentation Searches: Ownership,
mortgage and lien information on USCG documented vessels can be
obtained by ordering an abstract of title from the National
Vessel Documentation Center.
Tax Lien
Searches: State and Federal tax liens on boats are not
always recorded in a consistent manner and are therefore
difficult to identify. They may show up as a flag on state
registration records, as UCC filings, in state revenue records,
in a court clerks records, or on a vessel's abstract of title
for documented boats. Given these disparities, it may be worth
obtaining the services of a public record vendor that has access
to a broad range of personal lien
recordings.
Non-Recorded Liens: Non-recorded maritime liens may also
be a factor in conducting lien searches. These may include
liabilities for items such as services, equipment, fuel,
storage, parts, supplies, and damages that are related to the
boat itself. This type of research can only be determined through
personal investigation, owner disclosures, and boat history
lookups.
Lien Claim Searches: Additional
information about boat lien claim searches can be found in the
resources and guidelines sections of our website.
Owner Background Checks: Yacht brokers,
documentation companies and attorneys do not warrant or
guarantee titles. There is moreover no such thing as boat title
insurance in the marine industry. It is therefore incumbent on
the owner to stand behind any such representations. This will of
course be of no consolation if a guarantor is insolvent,
non-cooperative, or can not be subsequently located. A thorough background check to ensure the owner's
inclination and ability for making good on any hidden liens or title
deficiencies is recommended. Information on how to go about this
can be found in the referrals for this page.
Business Entity Search:
You should run a business entity search when dealing with a boat
registered to an entity such as a corporation or limited
liability company. This will help confirm the legitimacy of such
enterprise and identify those authorized to act on its behalf.
An online search portal for doing so is maintained by the
Division of Trademarks and Corporations which can be accessed from the referrals for
this page.
Stolen Boat Search: The U.S. Virgin Islands does not maintain a list of
boats that have been stolen within its jurisdiction. You will
need to contact the DPNR for such information. You will also find
detailed information about stolen boat searches in the resources
and guidelines sections of our website. Visit the resources and
guidelines sections of our website for additional information
about stolen boat detection.
Taxes and Insurance
Sales and Use Tax: Sales and use taxes
do not apply to U.S. Virgin Islands registered boats
Personal Property
Tax: Recreational boats are not subject to personal property
tax assessments in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Insurance
Requirements: Boat liability insurance is required in
the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Operator Requirements
Operator Requirements: Age limitations and
boater education requirements apply to boat operators in
the U.S. Virgin Islands. Visit the referrals for this summary for the most current age
and boater education requirements.
Accident Reporting:
Boating accidents must be immediately reported to the DPNR
Division of Environmental Enforcement..
Notifications: The Wildlife Resources Agency must be notified whenever a registered or titled boat has been transferred, stolen, lost, abandoned.
This also applies to ownership and address changes.
Enforcement Agency: The DPNR Division of Environmental
Enforcement is primarily responsible for
boating law enforcement in the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, all law
enforcement agencies are authorized to enforce boating laws.
Conclusion
The information provided herein is gathered from various sources and may be subject to errors, omissions or changes without notice. You should consult directly with the appropriate agency or a qualified attorney before taking any actions based on this overview.
References and Referrals
Comments - Suggestions - Corrections