Some advantages
The flag administration is in the “flag country”, ie Cook Islands. Many other flag administrations these days are far away from the country of their flag.
We have close and good relation with the country’s government.
We have a “non-bureaucratic” administration and can give quick reply to urgent matters.
No company required to be registered in Cook Islands, if you do not want.
The easiest and fastest way to fulfill ownership requirements is via the Cook Islands Ship Owners Association (CISOA). Owning company of the vessel will apply for membership.
Yacht owner can be member of Cook Islands Yacht Squadron, CIYS.
Cook Islands do not have, and does not plan to have, any special national requirements over and above the applicable IMO, SOLAS, MARPOL and similar international rules and regulations. This means that owners and managers with multi-flag fleets do not have to keep track of and apply for additional procedures for ships under our flag.
Classification Society: From January 2020 only IACS members accepted for Statutory Certificates for over 500 GT vessels.
Endorsements are only required for officers.
No need to send any original documents. No need for notarisation or other authentication of documents as all will be verified with issuing authority.
Non-SOLAS vessels
For these vessels we can issue all certificates, incl. Hull & Machinery on case by case basis.
Ship’s age
Normal limit for registration is 25 years, but on a case by case basis even somewhat older can be considered.
Before approval for registration under Cook Islands flag, we are not only checking the history of the ship, but also same of her managers. Even a new-building can quickly be “destroyed” by bad management.
It is of utmost importance that the ships we registered are of good standard and managed by competent managers.
Neither the Registry, nor other owners of Cook Islands ships want to have the flag targeted by PSC or other authorities.
We cannot afford to register ships that might become a problem or “embarrassment” as this will affect badly not only on us, but also on other vessels under our flag.