Maritime Affairs
Maritime Affairs refers to the facilitation of the development of ports and the shipping industry, the promotion of decent living, working and social conditions for seafarers, as well as safety and security at sea and the prevention of marine pollution from ships into the sea and into the atmosphere. Learn more about this department.
The Maritime Affairs Division performs the following services:
Ship Registration
International
The Barbados Maritime Ships’ Registry is the executive agency of the Barbados Government which registers all foreign-going ships and all near coastal Caribbean trade ships over 150 tonnes. This agency is based at the Barbados High Commission in London.
Domestic
Section 15 of the Shipping Act, Cap 296 empowers the Director of Maritime Affairs to register vessels under 150 tons.
Proof of ownership is required.
All vessels are registered subject to their seaworthiness. An inspection is required by one of the following Marine Surveyors:
| Name | Contact # | Email Address |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. Anthony Hinds | 546-6608/265-0482 | anthonyhinds252@hotmail.com |
| Mr. Carl Garraway | 571-1116/269-7839 | bowlman88@gmail.com |
| Cmdr David Dowridge | 230-9133/262-6038 | d_dowridge@yahoo.com |
| Mr. Martin Smyth | 433-9499/230-1532 | tinsmyth@gmail.com |
| Mr. Malcolm Thompson | 233-4640/433-4387 | malcolm.dre.thompson@gmail.com |
| Mr. Shamir Khan | 258/0831/268-3260 | shamirkhan377@gmail.com |
| Mr. Tristain King | 233-1574/424-8001 | powerboatsbarbados@gmail.com |
Proof of insurance coverage is required for all vessels engaged in commercial activity. Under the Shipping (Watersports) Regulations all speedboats are required to be insured whether they are used recreationally or commercially.
A Permit to Ply Hire is required for all commercial vessels. This is issued by this office for speedboats and jet skis and by the Harbour Master, Barbados Port Inc. for RB vessels and vessels over 10 GRT. The cost of the permit is $100.00.
For RB vessels the following should be submitted:
- Proof of ownership;
- Survey; and
- Insurance
"All speedboats and Jet Skis are required to be insured".
Please note that there is no application forms to be filled out.
For vessels over 10 GRT a form entitled Notice of Name Proposed for a Barbadian Ship should be submitted upon initial registration or if there is to be a name change with change of ownership. Both forms are obtainable from this office.
Registration fees are as follows:
| Type of Vessel | Initial Registration | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Speedboat/Jet Ski/ Waverunner | BBD $200 (Commercial) | BBD $200 |
| Speedboat/ Jet Ski/ Waverunner | BBD $100 (Private) | BBD $100 |
| RB | BBD $72.80 | BBD $24.80 |
| Vessels Over 10 GRT | Calculated based on tonnage | - |
- BILL OF SALE (Body Corporate)
- BILL OF SALE (Individuals or Joint Owners)
- DECLARATION BY A JOINT OWNER OR TRANSFEREE
- DECLARATION BY INDIVIDUAL OWNER OR TRANSFEREE
- DECLARATION BY REPRESENTATIVES OF A DECEASED OWNER OR MORTGAGEE taking by Transmission
- DECLARATION OF OWNERSHIP ON BEHALF OF A BODY CORPORATE
- DECLARATION OF OWNERSHIP OR INTEREST ON TRANSMISSION BY BANKRUPTCY
- MORTGAGE (to Secure Account Current) (Body Corporate)
- MORTGAGE (to secure Principal Sum and Interest) (Individuals or Joint Owners)
- PROPOSED NAME FOR A BARBADIAN SHIP
- Transcript of Register
Grant of Other Permit/Licenses
- Police Certificate of Character
- Three (3) passport-sized photos
- A fee of BBD $140.00
- A valid form of Identification (B’dos I.D. Card, Passport, or Driver’s license)
Initially, a Speedboat Learner Driver’s Permit which is valid for three (3) months is issued along with study material and a list of speedboat driving instructors.
Written and practical examinations will be booked at the Barbados Coast Guard Headquarters.
You should be accompanied on the practical test by a speedboat driving instructor from the list provided and the registration of the speedboat used should be valid.
After passing the examinations, a fee of $40.00 is payable to this office for the Speedboat Driver’s Licence.
Speedboat drivers’ permits / licences and licenses to ply for hire are issued pursuant to the Shipping (Watersports) Regulations, 2004.
Certification of Seafarers
Seafarers are certified and issued with the requisite documents. Seafarers certificates of identity are issued as required under the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention, (No. 108).
A Seaman's Discharge Book is issued at the cost of BDS $50. Requirements are one passport sized photo, a valid form Identification (B'dos I.D. Card, Passport, or Driver's license) and a contract of agreement from the shipping company. If the Seaman's Discharge Book is lost or destroyed the replacement fee is BDS $50.
Shipping Incentives
The Shipping (Incentives) Act, Cap. 90A makes provision for the granting of tax and duty incentives to approved shipping companies. According to the Act, the Minister may make an Order to declare companies as approved shipping companies. These companies receive, inter alia, duty free concessions in relation to the importation of vessels, certain items used in commercial shipping, boating and sport fishing and articles used for building, refurbishing, transporting, maintenance or repair of ships, and income tax concessions in relation to training and marketing expenses. These incentives are for a period of fifteen (15) years.
- A comprehensive business plan which outlines the following:
- Marketing initiatives;
- Three (3) to five (5) year financial projections; and
- Human Resource Strategy which includes the number of persons to be employed.
- Certificate of Incorporation, names of the principals of the company (notice of directors), notice of address of registered office.
- Certificate of Clearances with respect to VAT and Income Tax from the Barbados Renevue Authority; and
- Certificate of Clearance from National Insurance and Social Security Service.
The above should be submitted under the cover letter addressed to the Permanent Secretary, International Transport, Ministry of Tourism and International Transport, Fourth and Fifth Floors, One Barbados Place, Warrens, St. Michael.
Licences to Operate Casinos & Shops on Board Cruise Ships
The Cruise Ships (Opening of Facilities) Act, Cap 2012-20 provides for the opening of on board casinos and shops of cruise ships berthed in the port of Bridgetown. The Minister responsible for shipping may on application
- grant a licence to operate a casino on a cruise ship berthed in the port
- grant a licence to operate a cruise ship shop on a cruise ship berthed in the Port
To open during the period 6:00 pm to 6:00 am provided that the cruise ship remains at berth in the Port for at least twelve hours each visit. A licence may be issued for a period not exceeding two years and is renewable.
Buoyed Swimming Areas
Pursuant to Regulation 28 of the Shipping (Watersports) Regulations, 2004 any person wishing to erect such a safe swimming area must apply to the Director of Maritime Affairs for permission to do so.