The voluntary nature of yacht classification
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Clasifications Register Guidance Information - Lloyd’s Register’s approach to Class Notations and Descriptive Notes for Yachts, January 2017 - Lloyd’s Register’s approach to Class Notations and Descriptive Notes for Yachts - The voluntary nature of yacht classification

The voluntary nature of yacht classification

Yacht classification is voluntary. Flag States may require yachts to be registered depending on service requirements and capacity.

The Flag State will ask for classification of yachts used for commercial service. The term ‘commercial service’ is defined in a variety of ways by different Flag States.

The Flag State may also ask for classification of yachts depending on the number of people on board and the yacht’s capacity. These figures are interpreted differently by different Flag States.

In summary, the Owner and Flag State will determine whether classification is required. The Rules set and Class notation are selected by the Owner and Flag State, with or without the guidance of LR.

Commercial operation

Flag States may allow an incidental short-term charter for private yachts, other Flag States may be stricter in this respect.

The number of passengers

The number of passengers on a yacht is difficult to establish. One approach is to count the number of beds in the luxury areas; i.e. guest and Owner’s accommodation. Certification for commercial operation can be sought for fewer passengers than the number of counted beds.

Yachts are built primarily for private use and this form of operation would not be subject to limits of number of passengers.

When the vessel is used for commercial use, i.e. for charter, the Owner/Operator may leave cabins, e.g. the Owner’s private space, unoccupied and even locked. On the other hand, on day trips, passengers may not need to have a bed assigned.

Consequently, for yachts, there is no one-to-one relationship between the accommodation arrangement and the number of passengers on which the certification is based. The number of passengers is a decision between the Owner and the Flag State.

LR will work in accordance with this decision.

Parent topic: Lloyd’s Register’s approach to Class Notations and Descriptive Notes for Yachts
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