August Transactions for Small Vessels Down 13.8%

Transactions at the Small Vessels Registration Office fell 13.8 per cent in August 2025, reaching 1,542 compared to 1,788 in July 2024, according to the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications.

The August 2025 total included 664 sailing licences, 224 boat registrations, 41 personal watercraft registrations, and 121 number plates. Inspectors carried out 257 technical checks, while there were 83 amendments to certificate and licence data, 142 ownership transfers, and 10 deregistrations.

By comparison, August 2024 recorded the same overall total of 1,542 transactions, consisting of 741 sailing licences, 246 boat registrations, 94 personal watercraft registrations, 168 number plates, 240 technical inspections, 94 data amendments, six deregistrations, 189 ownership transfers, and 10 replacements for lost certificates and licences.

The Small Vessels Registration Office operates under Royal Decree No. (32) of 2020, which regulates registration, safety, and oversight of vessels under 150 tonnes. Its responsibilities include registering, renewing, cancelling, and transferring ownership of pleasure boats, fishing boats, and personal watercraft, as well as issuing and renewing navigation licences. The office also conducts technical inspections to ensure compliance with safety and security standards.