I have been looking into what is required for Australian registration and ended up with conflicting information. I was convinced that you must have basically full records of the boats history including such things as builder and all the owners. I have now however come across the information below that seems to indicate that if all else fails (you don't have it or can't find the information out), then you may still be able to do it via a stat dec and an announcement in the gazette. Has anyone tried this later method?

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"What documents are required to demonstrate ownership of the vessel?

If the ship has been registered in Australia, the ownership document is a bill of sale from the registered owner to the new owner.

If the ship has been registered overseas, the ownership document is any document that is evidence of title to the ship under the overseas registration law.

If the ship has never been registered, the ownership document is:
1/ a builder's certificate and the transfer documents for any change of ownership of the ship
2/ if those documents are unavailable and the ship was built and acquired by the owner, outside Australia-the document by which the ship's owner acquired the ownership of the ship.

If the owner, after taking all reasonable action, cannot obtain the required documentation, the ownership document is:
1/ a statutory declaration by the applicant that gives the history of the ownership of the ship
2/ if the history is unknown, both of the following documents:
* a statutory declaration by the applicant stating that the applicant believes that the person who is named in the application as the ship's owner is lawfully entitled to the ownership of the ship and stating the grounds for that belief
* evidence that, at least 30 days before the application was lodged with the registrar, a notice of intention to apply for the registration of the ship was published in the Gazette."
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Toph said..
Ok, has the vessel been in or currently under Aust registration by a previous owner?
I went down this excact path last year. If you have all the previous original copies of the bills of sale or the boat is being registered for the first time then no problem. If you (like me only had copies) then AMSA will send the current registered owners from their records a letter with 30 days to respond. If no response they will send a reminder notice with another 30 days. After that they gazette it for yet another 30 days.
So yes, what you say is correct. Talk to Patrick at AMSA. Very helpful bloke.

Thanks Toph. That is good to know that it is possible.
Some boats may only have had state registration so I assume that means they have never been registered for purposes of this test.

Charriot said..
A few years ago In Port Pirie I went to local RTA to register a Sweet Chariot. Seller signed disposal paperwork , I was ask to arrange HIN number. Local marine shopt rep. completed installation and paperwork , the yacht was registered
within 24 hours, it was that easy.

That is State Registration, not Australian ships registration which is what the original post was asking about

Refused entry to that country at best. Goal possibly.

OneTinnyTribe said..
Just been through this very process, not knowing full history etc.
yes you do the stat dec thing which is also posted in the Gazette and after 30 days you should be st fine....
but the fly in the ointment is your dealing with civil servants who want all those pesky eyes dotted wee little T's crossed etc.
its not too onerous a process they will help you out and if you can scan and send documents they will help you fill forms out just so.
Getting the plate made with the reg number and length could be a drag but any shop that engraves trophies should be able too help.
as long as they get their $1500 they are happy to help. That registration fee is for life btw not annual and it's nice having a name on the bow not a registration number.

cheers

Nige

These guys can do the the number plate.
www.lasergravesolutions.com.au
They do plenty of other cool marine labels that can be ordered on line or phone.