Complete Guide for Boat Regulations in Singapore
Within the port of Singapore, the MPA categorizes pleasure crafts boat regulations as either having a port license (SZ or SZH) or being a visiting yacht, vessels can be both but the SZ/SZH will supersede the flag. The common confusion comes as the Singapore flag registry has nothing to do with the Singapore port license, the Singapore flagged vessel is considered a visiting vessel similar to Langkawi, Cooks Island, etc.
“SZ” Port Licence – privately used pleasure craft in Singapore port waters, can not leave port to another country without a flag
“SZH” Commercial Port License – commercial charter pleasure craft in Singapore port waters, not to be used for individual fare-paying passengers.
Foreign Flag/Registry (Including Singapore “SG” Flag) – Foreign registered to avoid port restrictions such as tax and crew.
SZ and SZH pleasure craft license identification within the port waters, you’ll find the following two prefix’s followed by numbers (e.g. SZ1234H) at the bow of an MPA port licensed pleasure craft.
The other type of prefixes you will see in Singapore are for harbor crafts, the prefixes at the bow will be SB, SC, SP, ST, and SR. All vessels will carry a different type of category e.g. SP is an individual fare-paying passenger like a ferry
If a pleasure craft doesn’t have a prefix or is different from the above they will be a visiting yacht that requires a cruising permit as below.
SZ License
SZH License
Singapore Registry
Singapore Port Licensed Pleasure Craft (SZ or SZH)
Pleasure crafts that cruise within the port limits of Singapore are not required to be flagged but do require a pleasure craft license (SZ and SZH). Only Singapore PPCDL and APPCDL boat regulations and license holders are able to skipper the vessels and the vessel is not allowed to leave Singapore Port Waters. Singapore-registered (Singapore flagged) vessels without SZ (private pleasure craft) or SZH (commercial pleasure craft) licenses will require a cruising permit with a full list of crew and passengers that lasts for three days.
Visiting Yacht Cruising Permit (Including SG-Flag)
Foreign or Singapore-registered yachts intending to cruise within Singapore Port Waters without a pleasure craft license (SZ or SZH) must apply for a cruising permit (valid for three days) through their marina, agent, or the online application system digitalPORT@SG. The vessel will also need to be fitted with a working AIS transponder and be skippered by a PPCDL or APPCDL license holder, alternatively, foreign captains without a PPCDL or APPCDL license can take the MPA online assessment.
The Red Ensign of Singapore is a civil ensign that is utilized by privately owned, non-military ships that are registered in Singapore. The design of the ensign is based on the national flag but with a modified width to length ratio of 1:2. It was established by law in 1966 and its usage is regulated by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). According to the MPA, the Red Ensign is the sole ensign permissible on Singaporean civilian ships, and the national flag cannot be used as a substitute. All Singaporean ships are required to hoist the ensign upon entering or departing from port.
Featured Foreign Ship Registry
There are a number of things to consider when deciding where to register your yachts, such as Tax and VAT paid, reputation, privacy, boat regulations, and assistance at sea. Below is a list of registries commonly used by Singapore boaters.
Boat regulations surveyors and inspections
SZ and SZH do not follow the same surveyor inspections, check with MPA for the approved surveyor’s inspectors. Here is a list of featured surveyors.
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