Red Ensign Group

Bermuda is a small Island situated conveniently off the eastern seaboard of the US, positioned to be able to do business in the mornings with Europe and in the afternoons with the US. The currency used is the Bermuda dollar and this is level pegged to the US dollar, which is used interchangeably in Bermuda.

Bermuda has excellent flight links with both the UK (daily flights) and the USA (daily flights to all the major eastern gateway cities).

The British Virgin Islands comprise over 40 islands, islets and cays with a total land area of only 153 sq km scattered over some 3,445 sq km of sea. Sixteen of the islands are inhabited, the largest being Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda and Jost van Dyke.

Discovered by Columbus in 1493, the islands came into British possession in 1666 when planters took control from the original Dutch settlers, and have been a British colony since 1672.

The Cayman Islands Shipping Registry (CISR) was established in 1903. Today, it is the world's leading Registry of super yachts, although, as a Category 1 member of the Red Ensign Group, it has the capability of registering vessels of any size and description. The organization prides itself on excellence in client services, and boasts a global network of highly professional support personnel.

The GMA was established in its present format as a Registry of Ships in 1997. The GMA has obtained 'White List' status under the Paris MoU on Port State Control.

The Gibraltar Registry of Ships has experienced steady growth over the last 8 years and is an EU Member States' Register, entitling it to, amongst other privileges, EU cabotage.

The Isle of Man is part of the British Isles but is not part of the United Kingdom. It is a self-governing dependent territory of the British Crown located in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland. It has its own income tax and customs and excise services. It operates as an internationally recognised business centre based on a diverse economy of which shipping plays its part.

The Island boasts a rich maritime heritage and has operated a British ship register since 1786, which has been operating internationally since 1984, with a reputation for quality and service. It is not a ‘Flag of Convenience’ and is the flag of choice for many of the world’s major shipping corporations and superyachts. Vessels registered in the Isle of Man fly the British Red Ensign, often bearing the Island’s Three Legs of Man symbol.

The UK Register is one the oldest and most prestigious shipping registers in the world. The UK Register is operated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency who provide a flexible, responsive and customer focussed approach to those companies who wish to fly the Red Ensign.

With the consent of the UK Department for Transport (Dft) and the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) the Anguilla Maritime Administration operates a Category 2 Red Ensign Registry and may register vessels less than 24 metres and of up to 150 tons for Commercial operated vessels and of up to 400 tons for Pleasure Vessels.

The Anguilla Maritime consists of:
1) The Permanent Secretary of Infrastructure, Communication, Utilities, Housing and Information and Technology.
2) The Superintendent of Ports.
3) Registrar of Ships.

The National Legislation is the:
1) Merchant Shipping Act R.S.A.c.82.
2) Registration of Ships Regulations R.R.A.M82-1.
3) Ships and Port Facility Security Regulations R.R.A.M82-2.
4) Small Commercial Vessels Regulations R.R.A.M82-3
International Maritime Organization (IMO) Treaties and Conventions are extended to Anguilla by the UK Government.

Presently there are 316 Registered Vessels on Anguilla Ships Register:
Commercial 161
Pleasure 155

Aim
The Anguilla Maritime Administration is committed to the Registration and Safety of Ships and Shipping in Anguilla waters, the prevention of pollution from ships, the administration of National Maritime Legislation, applicable international obligations and standards as required by the International Maritime Organization and the facilitation of the development of the Maritime sector of Anguilla.

The Falkland Islands has operated its own Red Ensign register since 1861.

On 15 September 2003, a four-part register arrangement similar to that operated in the United Kingdom was commenced when the Falkland Islands adopted Parts I and II of the UK Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (with modifications).

The Island of Guernsey is located in the English Channel, roughly 30 miles from the French coast and some 70 miles from the south coast of England. The Island has an area of approximately 24 square miles and a population of 62,000.
The Bailiwick of Guernsey includes a number of islands in addition to Guernsey- Alderney, Sark, Herm, Jethou, Brecqhou and Lihou.
Although Guernsey is geographically closer to the Normandy coast than the south coast of England, it is a dependency of the British Crown.
The Lieutenant Governor is Her Majesty’s personal representative and official channel of communication between the Crown, the UK Government and the Bailiwick.

Jersey’s relationship with the English Crown dates back to Norman times. It makes its own laws governing internal affairs and taxation. Whilst it needs to be sensitive to UK policy, it is not bound by that. The most recent statement of the UK position points out that, “Representation of the interests of the Crown Dependencies on the international stage by the UK Government is not optional, according to whether or not the interests of the Islands are congruent with those of the UK: it is the UK Government’s duty.” Maintaining this balance is key to the Island’s independence and success.

The Island is just 15 miles from the French mainland yet just 1 hour’s flight from London. Flights are also available from many UK and European cities and there are good sea links from England and France. It benefits from a very good climate and is a popular tourist destination.

Montserrat is a member of the British Red Ensign Group and operates as a Category Two Red Ensign (British) Registry, which can register ships of up to 150 gross tons (GRT) and pleasure vessels (vessels not operated commercially) of up to 400 GRT.

St Helena is a member of the British Red Ensign Group and operates as a Category Two Red Ensign (British) Registry, which can register ships of up to 150 gross tons (GRT) and pleasure vessels of up to 400 GRT (pleasure vessels, by definition, refer to ships used for sport or pleasure, which are not operated commercially).

Currently on St Helena’s register are 2 commercial fishing ships.

The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) form the south-eastern extremity of the Bahamas chain. The Turks & Caicos Islands are members of the British Red Ensign Group and operate as a Category Two Red Ensign (British) Registry, which can register ships of up to 150 gross tons (GRT) and pleasure vessels (vessels not operated commercially) of up to 400 GRT.