Does Agios Bessetere Have Lawful Permission To Fly the Sierra Leone Flag?
By Kelvin Jay
Sierra Leone, as a recognized maritime flag state, permits ships, yachts, and other vessels to register under its national flag.
However, this process is governed by stringent regulations and is not intended to serve as a “flag of convenience”—a loophole often exploited by shipowners to avoid stricter legal or fiscal requirements in their own countries.
The Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMARAD) is the body responsible for overseeing ship registration. It enforces both domestic and international maritime standards, requiring vessels registered under its flag to demonstrate a genuine connection to the country. This includes compliance with safety protocols, proper crewing, environmental standards, and operational integrity in line with global maritime conventions.
However, Since the discovery of the Agios Bessetere vessel at Hamilton Beach, flying the Sierra Leone flag, serious questions have emerged among maritime observers and the general public: Is the vessel officially registered under Sierra Leone law?
Was it lawfully granted permission to fly the national flag?
So far, government authorities have remained silent on critical matters relating to the yacht’s origin, ownership, and registration status. This lack of transparency has sparked growing concern—particularly given Sierra Leone’s public commitment to upholding responsible flag-state practices.
According to investigations, Agios Bessetere is a pleasure yacht, and at the time it reportedly ran aground at Hamilton Beach, three Filipino crew members were aboard.
This raises further concerns: Was the yacht chartered for private or commercial purposes?
Is its use truly for leisure, or could there be less transparent motives involved?Who approved and registered the yacht to fly the national flag?
Basically, Yacht registration procedures can be vary by country but typically involve: Proof of ownership, Certification of seaworthiness, Compliance with national and international safety standards, Submission of essential documents, including: Shipbuilding certificate Title or ownership deed Valid safety certificates, and Marine insurance policies.
This process also depends on the yacht’s intended use (private vs. commercial), size, and the flag state’s specific regulations.
There are also key requirements to be considered when awarding license to Yatch which include: Establishing the yacht’s nationality and legal owner, Certification by a recognized classification society (after technical inspections), Compliance with SOLAS (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea), Submission of a “technical passport” and verified documents.
Based on these international standards, several unanswered questions remain: Who is the owner of Agios Bessetere, and what is their nationality? Were proper shipbuilding and ownership documents submitted to SLMARAD? Was the yacht inspected and certified by recognized maritime professionals?
Did the yacht receive a temporary or permanent license to fly the Sierra Leone flag?
A veteran maritime engineer has weighed in, arguing that modern yachts are equipped with early warning systems designed to prevent engine failure. He noted: “Yachts have sensors throughout the engine system, monitoring critical indicators like temperature, oil pressure, and coolant levels. These sensors are linked to alarm systems—either basic buzzers or advanced digital alerts—which notify crew members of potential issues before they escalate.”
He questioned: What preventative measures were taken by the Agios Bessetere crew after receiving any warning signs?Was there negligence or failure to respond to such alerts before the vessel was grounded?.
He furthered that International maritime law requires all vessels to register under a country, which then assumes regulatory responsibility. The flag state is accountable for ensuring vessels under its flag are fully compliant with Its own national laws, Global conventions and safety protocols
Thus, the most critical question remains:What evidence exists to prove that Agios Bessetere met the key legal and technical requirements to fly the Sierra Leone flag?
Sierra Leone’s national flag must be treated with dignity and trust. The Maritime Administration must have full confidence in every vessel flying it—not only for the sake of regulatory compliance but also to protect the country’s reputation on the international maritime stage.
As public scrutiny intensifies, SLMARAD and other relevant authorities are urged to provide clarity on the legal and regulatory status of Agios Bessetere. Transparency in this matter will:Uphold national integrity, Reinforce Sierra Leone’s maritime credibility, Ensuring that the national flag is not misused or disrespected.
