What is sale, purchase & ownership transfer?
A yacht sale is a transfer of title in a registered asset, and it is documented like one.
The Memorandum of Agreement sets the price, the deposit, the condition of delivery and what happens if the survey goes badly. Alongside it, a title and encumbrance search establishes that the seller can actually sell and that no mortgage or lien travels with the vessel. On closing, ownership changes hands and the change is recorded on the register — which is the part that makes the sale effective against the world, not just between the parties.
Who is it for?
Buyers
Buyers who want the title checked before the money moves.
Sellers
Sellers who want a clean, documented exit and a proper deletion or transfer.
Owners transferring ownership
Transfers between companies or within a family structure.
Brokers and family offices
Advisers who want the legal and closing side covered.
What you get
- Watertight sale and purchase agreements (MOA).
- Title, lien and encumbrance due diligence.
- Escrow and secure closing coordination.
- Seamless transfer of registration on completion.
- Coordination of survey and sea trial against the MOA timetable.
How the process works
Terms and MOA
We agree heads of terms and prepare the Memorandum of Agreement.
Due diligence
We verify title, mortgages and class status.
Deposit and survey
We hold the deposit in escrow and coordinate survey and sea trial.
Closing
We complete payment, delivery and transfer of ownership.
Requirements
- A seller with clear, provable title.
- Disclosure and discharge — or assumption — of any registered mortgage.
- An agreed delivery condition and place.
- Identification of the buying entity, for registration in its name.
Please note. Eligibility is assessed case by case by the Malta flag administration. Send us the vessel details and we will confirm what applies to you before you commit.
Documents you will need
- Memorandum of Agreement
- Bill of sale
- Current certificate of registry and transcript of register
- Mortgage discharge or mortgagee consent, where a mortgage exists
- Survey and sea trial reports
- Protocol of delivery and acceptance
- Passport copy and proof of address for each beneficial owner
- Company incorporation documents, where the owner is a company
Please note. Indicative list. The exact file the registry asks for depends on the vessel, its age and the regime it is registered under — we confirm your list in writing before anything is filed.