St. Kitts & Nevis

The twin-island nation of St. Kitts & Nevis is located in the northern section of the Eastern Caribbean, approximately 1,300 miles southeast of Miami, Florida.

The name St. Kitts is a shortened form of its official name, St. Christopher given to it by Christopher Columbus when he landed there in 1493. Columbus also discovered Nevis on his voyage, reportedly calling it Nevis (Spanish word for snow) because of its resemblance to a snowcapped mountain. St. Kitts became Britain’s first colony in the West Indies with the founding of a settlement in 1623. In 1983, the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis gained independence as a two-island nation within the British Commonwealth.

A number of important historical sites in the Federation include Brimstone Hill, an 18th Century fortress, nicknames “the Gibraltar of the West Indies” when it was in military use. This is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The St. Kitts Scenic Railway operates on the old sugar railway for scenic trips around St. Kitts initiating one of the most exhilarating experiences in the Caribbean described as “only a one-of-a-kind scenic wonder travelling over 23 bridges”.

Port Zante, Basseterre is the modern cruise ship terminal for the Federation, rebuilt entirely in recent times to withstand hurricane damage. Two ships of up to 130,000 tonnes can be accommodated alongside simultaneously. Cruise ships also call separately at Charlestown, Nevis.

Within the existing marina berths as many as 65 boats of up to 150 feet in length. Additionally there is a new 450 berth super-yacht marina, Christiphe Harbour, in construction stages with a finish date of approximately 2012.

An Annual Music Festival in June brings musicians from all over the world to the Federation.

The St. Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry (SKANReg), an International Open Register, falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Maritime Affairs of the Ministry of Public Works, Utilities, Transport and Posts.
 
The St. Kitts & Nevis Merchant Shipping Act and Maritime Regulations (which are based upon English Law) are the foundation for maritime operations. This foundation offers international familiarity and the fundamental protection afforded to Ship Owners, Operators, Managers, Seafarers, Mortgagees and Mortgagors. The Ship Registry is operated by the International Registrar of Shipping & Seamen whose head office is located in London. The International Registrar controls the issuance of all documentation issued on behalf of SKANReg.

SKANreg is actively open for all types of yacht registration.

A network of Maritime Registrar Offices around the world assist the Registrar in registering ships and are allowed to issue pertinent documentation when authorised by the Registrar to help the ship owner avoid any delays.

SKANReg has gained ISO Quality Assurance 9001:2000 Accreditation from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).