Shipping Act 1998 (No. 5 of 1998).

This Act defines the criteria of nationality of ships of the Solomon Islands (Part II), provides for their registration, and regulates navigation in water of the Solomon Islands and various other matters relative to ships and their use. The Act shall apply to all vessels, including fishing vessels, registered or vessels to be registered or licensed under this Act or Regulations. No vessel shall be registered under this Act unless by a qualified person owns the vessel wholly, or by persons each of whom is a qualified person, and is not registered in any other country (sect. 9). Every vessel, which shall be owned wholly by a qualified person or by persons, each of whom shall be a qualified person, and having a length of ten meters or more, shall be registered in accordance with this Act (sect. 10). Vessels shall be registered in the Register that is placed under the care of the Registrar of Vessels. The Registrar shall not register a vessel unless the vessel has first been marked permanently and conspicuously in the manner prescribed in Regulations. The Minister may regulate the licensing of fishing vessels of less than 10 meters pursuant to section 52.