The change of list for a recreational vessel between the 6th and 7th list is a registry procedure that may apply when the vessel’s use changes within the cases provided for by the regulations. In general terms, the 7th list is associated with sporting use without profit, while the 6th list is linked to operation for profit in recreational, sporting, or non-professional fishing activities. This means it is not a simple change of name or ownership, but a modification with its own registry effects.
If you are preparing this file, it is worth separating three ideas: the actual use the vessel will have, what the Vessel Registration Register requires, and what specific documentation the Ministry of Transport office asks for. In Spain, the procedure falls within the scope of the Merchant Navy and, depending on the case, may be accompanied by other registry acts such as transfer, change of port, or certificate renewal. Fees, forms, deadlines, and criteria may change, so it is advisable to always verify the official information before submitting the request.
When the change of list applies
The key question is whether the vessel really fits the list you want to move it to. The 7th list covers recreational vessels whose exclusive use is the practice of sport without profit or non-professional fishing, while the 6th list refers to vessels and recreational craft when they are operated for profit for leisure, sport, or non-professional fishing. In other words, the change of list depends not only on an administrative preference, but on the use the boat will actually have. [4]
Royal Decree 1435/2010 regulates the flagging and registration of recreational vessels in the sixth and seventh lists and, moreover, distinguishes this area from other registrable acts. It also excludes change-of-list procedures from its general regime, except for those that occur specifically between the 6th and 7th list. Therefore, before starting the file, it is advisable to check whether the case fits that specific change and not another different registry modification. [3]
- The 7th list is associated with sporting use without profit.
- The 6th list is linked to operation for profit.
- The change must reflect the vessel’s actual use, not just a formal choice.
- If there is doubt about the registry classification, it is wise to review the file before filing it.
What documentation is worth preparing
The electronic office of the Ministry of Transport has an official form for recreational vessels that expressly includes the change-of-list section and the field to indicate the new list. That same form gathers other registry details that, depending on the case, may be processed in the same file. These include a change of registration port, a change of name, a transfer of ownership, and renewal or exchange of the certificate. Therefore, the first task is not to gather papers at random, but to identify which registry acts are being handled together. [1] [2]
As a practical rule, it is usually useful to prepare the documentation in three blocks: vessel identification, holder or holders’ data, and support for the act that motivates the change of list. The exact documentation may vary depending on the status of the file and the type of operation, so it is not advisable to assume that a single form will always be enough. If the change of list is also linked to a transfer of ownership or a change of use, the documents associated with those acts will also need to be reviewed. [1] [3]
- Official application form for recreational vessels.
- Registry data for the vessel and the holder.
- Documents linked to other acts in the file, if any.
- Preliminary review of whether the change of list is filed alone or together with another change.
How it is processed before the Merchant Navy
The procedure is handled through the electronic office of the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, within the specific route for recreational vessels. That office includes both registration and flagging or matriculation, as well as other procedures related to registry data. This means that the change of list is not treated as a general matter, but as a specific action within the maritime register, with its own form and its own administrative framework. [2] [5]
In practice, the file is submitted with the information requested by the official form and with the documentation that applies to the case. If the change affects more than one registry detail, it is important that everything is consistent: new list, port, name, ownership, and certificate, if applicable. An incomplete or contradictory file may lengthen the review, and the administration may request clarifications. For that reason, before sending anything, it is advisable to compare each detail with the vessel’s documentation. [1] [5]
- Access the recreational vessel procedure in the electronic office.
- Complete the official form with the new list.
- Add, if applicable, any related registry changes.
- Check that all the details in the file are consistent.
Registry effects and cases that are mixed with this procedure
The change of list has registry effects because it modifies the vessel’s administrative status within the Vessel Registration Register. It is not the same as a transfer of ownership, although in some files both acts may appear together. Nor should it be confused with a simple temporary change from private to commercial use, since that case is regulated specifically and temporarily by a different resolution. Clearly distinguishing these scenarios helps avoid errors in the application. [3] [6]
If the aim is to move to operation with a profit-making purpose, the applicable framework must be reviewed especially carefully. The resolution of 17 July 2025 regulates the conditions for the temporary change from private to commercial use and provides for processing through the electronic office. In addition, during that period the vessel is subject to the inspection regime applicable to the 6th list. This does not automatically turn any boat into a 6th-list vessel, but it does show that commercial use requires checking specific requirements before starting the file. [6]
- A change of list is not the same as a transfer of ownership.
- Temporary change from private to commercial use is a different case.
- The new list must match the actual use and the applicable regime.
- If the case is commercial, it is advisable to review the specific rules before filing.
Practical checklist before submitting the application
Before sending the application, it is worth reviewing a short checklist. First, confirm the vessel’s current list and the list you want to move it to. Second, verify whether the file includes other registry acts, such as a change of name or port. Third, check that the official form has been completed without contradictions. And fourth, make sure that the documentation submitted matches the actual use the vessel will have. [1] [3]
It is also advisable to keep a copy of everything submitted and check the status of the file in the electronic office. If the procedure affects the registration certificate or the navigation permit, it is worth checking whether it must be updated or a new document requested. Since administrative requirements may change, the prudent step is to always compare the current information in the official office before starting or completing the process. [5] [7]
- Confirm the current list and the destination list.
- Check whether there are additional registry acts.
- Submit the official form with documentary consistency.
- Check whether the certificate or navigation permit must be updated.
Frequently asked questions
Is a change of list the same as a change of ownership?
No. They are different procedures. A change of list modifies the registry situation linked to the vessel’s use, while ownership concerns who is listed as the owner. They can sometimes appear in the same file, but they should not be confused.
Can you always move from the 7th list to the 6th?
Not necessarily. The fit depends on the intended use of the vessel and the applicable rules. The 7th list is associated with sporting use without profit, and the 6th with operation for profit. It is advisable to review the specific case before submitting the application.
Where is the change-of-list application submitted?
The procedure is carried out in the electronic office of the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, within the recreational vessels area. There you will find the procedure and the official application form for other registry details, including the change of list.