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Domestic Vessel Services

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The Antigua & Barbuda Department of Marine Services and Merchant Shipping (ADOMS) is the Authority with full responsibility for the Registration, Licensing and Regulation of all small pleasure craft and small commercial vessels.

Small commercial vessels are regulated by the IMO Small Commercial Vessel Code (SCV Code) which applies to vessels operating commercially within in the Caribbean trading area, which are between 5 and 24 metres in length.

Small pleasure craft are regulated by the Antigua and Barbuda Small Craft (Control) Code (SCC) which applies to all craft operating for pleasure, within Antigua and Barbuda waters, which are less than 24 metres in length. This Code also includes commercially used small craft of less than 5 metres in length.

For more information on the respective provisions, the definition of small craft and the specific application of the respective regulations see our Legislation Section.

In recent years there have been several serious incidents involving small craft, operating in Antigua and Barbuda waters and also engaged in trading between other islands. As the competent Authority, ADOMS is responsible for ensuring that all operations, both commercial and pleasure, in Antigua and Barbuda waters, are carried out safely and that all small craft are fit for their intended purpose.

Therefore, all small craft below 24 metres in length, with the exception of commercial fishing vessels that are solely engaged in fishing, must be licensed

Non-powered pleasure craft below 5 metres in length are covered under a voluntary schemeThis scheme is free and is for thebenefit of the owners of these pleasure craft 

Enforcement of these regulations is through Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force Coast GuardPort Authority, Local Police Force, and Antigua Department of Marine Services and Merchant Shipping (ADOMS)

Further information can be obtained directly from ADOMS Technical Department:

Telephone +1 (268) 462 1273

Email technical@abregistry.ag