What the BMA registers
The Bermuda Maritime Authority registers every motorized vessel operated in Bermuda waters. That includes recreational power boats, sail boats with auxiliary engines, jet skis and personal watercraft. Non-motorized craft (kayaks, paddleboards, dinghies under oar) don't require registration.
Registration ties the vessel to a Bermuda-based owner (individual or company), assigns it a unique registration number (the four-digit number you see displayed on every boat's hull), and confirms the boat has passed a safety inspection.
Documents the BMA needs
- ●Bill of sale or builder's certificate (proof of ownership)
- ●Customs clearance documents (for imported boats) showing duty paid
- ●Marine survey report (recommended; sometimes required for older boats)
- ●Boat naming declaration with your top three choices
- ●Proof of marine insurance covering hull and third-party liability
- ●Photo identification of the owner
- ●Application form and fee payment
BDA Boats supplies the customs and survey paperwork from the import process, drafts the application form, refers you to a marine insurance broker if you don't have one, and submits the full package on your behalf.
The BMA inspection
Before issuing the registration number, the BMA conducts a brief inspection of the boat at a Bermuda dock. They confirm the hull identification number, check safety gear (life jackets sized for capacity, fire extinguishers, flares, sound signal device), and verify the boat is seaworthy.
The inspection is straightforward for any well-maintained boat. Older boats or those flagged in survey may require remediation before the BMA signs off. We address any deficiencies during the import process so the boat passes first inspection.
Boat naming rules
You name your boat as part of the registration application. The BMA reviews proposed names for uniqueness within Bermuda's registry and rejects anything obscene or misleading. Submit your top three choices in case your first pick conflicts with another registered vessel.
The name is displayed on the boat's stern alongside the BMA registration number. Most Bermuda owners follow tradition with sea-themed names, song titles or family references.
After registration: renewals and changes
Bermuda boat registration is renewed annually. The BMA sends a renewal notice and you confirm continued ownership, pay the renewal fee and submit updated insurance proof. We can manage your annual renewals as part of after-sale service if you'd like to set and forget.
Changes to the boat (engine swap, hull modification, ownership transfer) need to be notified to the BMA within 30 days. If you sell the boat, the new owner re-registers in their name through the same process, abbreviated since duty was already paid by the original importer.
