Vessel Registration Requirements

All vessels being considered for registration (except for unmanned barges and Fishing Vessels) will be assessed through Risk Analysis and Vetting. Any tankers that deliver fuel for fishing vessels at sea are deemed to be “fishing vessels” under the Marine Resources Act and therefore will be required to apply for a fishing licence.

The risk analysis inter alia considers the vessels performance and the proposed ISM management company’s performance. Fleet Managers and Deputy Registrars are authorised to vet vessels using the risk analysis template. Each variable in the template is to be scored and comments justifying each score are written in the comments section. Depending on the Risk Factor for the vessel, it will be rejected or may be accepted for registration by the Deputy Registrar (low risk), the Fleet Manager (medium risk) or CEO/ Technical Director (high risk).

Provisional Registration

The vessel registration process is commenced by completing an ‘Application for Registration’ available through a Deputy Registrar (specific to the region), who will lead you through the process. The Application Form is to be accompanied by:

• Bill of Sale* / Builders Certificate*
• Evidence of Shareholding of Owners* ( if more than one owner)
• Completed CISOA membership application here

• Power of Attorney*

• Signed and witnessed application form
• Copy of Charter agreement* ( if charter registration)
• Written consent from the underlying flag to charter to Cook Islands flag ( if charter registration)
• Copy of Power of Attorney (if the applicant is an authorised officer of owner)

* Reviewed, signed and sealed by a Justice of the Peace, a Commissioner for Oaths, Solicitor, Notary Public or the Registrar or Deputy Registrar of Ships of the Cook Islands Registry or before any person authorised by law to administer oaths in the country where the declaration is made.

Subject to approval by the Registrar of Ships, and upon payment of the registration fee, a Provisional Certificate of Registry will be issued. This certificate is effective from the date of issue and valid for a period of 3 months. During this time the requirements for permanent registration are to be completed. The Registrar may extend the period of provisional registration in special circumstances.

Permanent Registration

• Company Certificate / CISOA membership letter

• Carving and Markings Note, including current photo of vessel
• Pre-Registration Inspection ( if applicable)
• Proof of Deletion from previous flag ( if charter registration)
• Proof of suspension from previous flag (if charter registration)
• Completed copies of all previous closed CR ( as per SOLAS Chapter XI-1 Regulation 5-8) ( all vessels over 500GT)
• Copy of P&I policy evidencing financial security for MLC regulation 2.5 and 4.2 ( applicable to all commercial vessels; MCI requires that the MLC financial security is maintained, and will require evidence that it is maintained) ( for commercially operated vessels, excluding unmanned barges)

* Reviewed, signed and sealed by a Justice of the Peace, a Commissioner for Oaths, Solicitor, Notary Public or the Registrar or Deputy Registrar of Ships of the Cook Islands Registry or before any person authorised by law to administer oaths in the country where the declaration is made.

Note: The Registrar has the discretion to require, if deemed necessary, additional surveys to be conducted before issuance of a Permanent Certificate of Registry. Failure to submit required documents may delay the registration process.