COLOMBO– Sri Lanka has introduced new regulations governing boats, yachts, and visiting leisure craft in an effort to streamline operations and boost the country’s nautical tourism sector. The Export Development Board (EDB) announced on Monday (17) the regulations were developed in consultation with industry stakeholders and in collaboration with Lloyd’s Register Asia.
For years, the absence of a clear regulatory framework had created challenges in managing yacht registration and overseeing leisure craft operations. The Merchant Shipping Secretariat, under the Ministry of Ports and Shipping, has now finalized and gazetted these regulations under the Merchant Shipping Act, No. 52 of 1971.
The new framework addresses key concerns in the industry, including insurance, crew, and safety requirements for vessels. Under the regulations, boats built according to the Standard Classification Society or an equivalent technical code will be accepted, provided they comply with all other legal and operational requirements.
Additionally, visiting yachts and leisure boats will be subject to structured registration and operational guidelines. Boats accompanying races or regattas will be required to obtain a Temporary Operational Registration, valid for six months, while vessels arriving specifically to participate in races or regattas will be exempt from registration.
With Sri Lanka’s growing capacity to build and operate yachts for chartering and leisure activities, the government sees this as a crucial step in promoting nautical tourism and attracting foreign visitors.
“The implementation of these regulations is a vital step in enabling the boat-building and boating industry to thrive, contributing significantly to the country’s economic growth and positioning Sri Lanka as a key player in the global maritime sector,” the EDB stated.
By ensuring a well-regulated and investor-friendly environment, Sri Lanka aims to enhance its appeal as a yachting hub and create new business opportunities within the maritime industry.
-ENCL
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