Registry Team

Merchant ships and pleasure craft can be registered as British Ships under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.  Ships registered in the UK are classed as "British" and fly the Red Ensign flag.  The main reason for registering a ship has always been to prove it nationality.  Also a ship on this part of the register may be used as security to obtain a marine mortgage.  Ownership details are fully investigated prior to registration.  Purchasers of UK registered ships can rely on that investigation and can obtain a transcript of the register which shows who the owner of the vessel is and whether there are any outstanding mortgages against it.

For guidance notes on registering vessels on the UK register click here

New Fees from 11 September 2006

REGISTRATION, TRANSFER AND MORTGAGE OF SHIPS (OTHER THAN FISHING VESSELS) AND RELATED MATTERS

Interpretation

  1.  In this Part, “ship” includes a ship registered under section 17 of the Act (ships bareboat chartered-in) but does not include a fishing vessel.

Remittal of fees

  1. (1) The fees prescribed in the Table of fees are subject to the provisions of sub-paragraphs (2) and (3).
  2. Where a person requests and receives premium service, the fee prescribed in column (4) is payable in addition to the fee prescribed in column (3) or, where than more than one fee is prescribed in respect of one transaction, in addition to the aggregate of those fees.
  3. Where a person applies, on any one occasion, for the registration of more than one change in the Register in respect of the same ship for which more than one fee would be payable under item 9, 10 or 11 in the Table—
  4. the fee for the first change is £37;
  5. the fee for the second and each subsequent change is £17, and
  6. the fee for premium service is £100 in addition to the aggregate of the other fees.

(1) Item(2) Subject of fee(3) Amount of fee(4) Premium service fee
1.The registration of a ship, including registration of a ship whose registration has expired£124£180
2.The registration of transfer of ownership of a registered ship-
(a) for the first or only transfer
(b) for the second and each subsequent transfer
£80
£15
£100
N/a
3.The renewal of a registration under regulation 42 of the Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Regulations 1993()£49£100
4.The registration of a mortgage -
(a) for the first or only mortgage
(b) for the second and each additional mortgage
£84
£15
£100
N/a
5.The registration of a notice of intended mortgage£25£50
6.The issue of a duplicate certificate£21£50
7.Issue of transcripts of entries in the Register relating to any one ship-
(a) for current entries
(b) for other entries
£21
£32
£50
£50
8.Personal inspection of the Register (per hour or part of an hour)£9N/a
9.The registration of a change of name of a ship£37£100
10.The registration of a change of port of choice£37£100
11.The registration of a change of measurement, tonnage or engine particulars recorded in the Register£37£100
12.Transfer to a port in a British possession£35

£100
13.Transfer from a port in a British possession £115£100
14.An application to the Registrar for provisional registration of a ship£117£140
15.The registration of a ship following provisional registration by the Registrar£55£50
16.The issue of a certificate of registration for a small ship in Part III of the Register, or an amended certificate or duplicate copy of the certificate £25£50
17.The issue of a transcript of entries in Part III of the Register relating to any one ship -
(a) for current entries
(b) for other entries
£21
£32
£50
£50

Commercial Vessels (including Bareboat Charter)

For initial registration complete the following forms and return with supporting documents

MSF 4740 Application to Register a British Ship

MSF 4740A Application to Register a British Ship over 500gt

MSF 4727 Declaration of Eligibility

For any enquiries please contact a member of the Commercial team at Commercial_Registry@mcga.gov.uk-

Tel:02920448833

Pleasure Vessels

For initial registration complete the following forms and return with supporting documents

MSF 4740 Application to Register a British Ship

MSF 4727 Declaration of Eligibility

For any enquiries please contact the Part 1 team at Part1_Registry@mcga.gov.uk or Tel 02920448866

Renewals/Closure

Registration of vessels expire every 5 years.  A renewal notice is sent to the registered owner.  If no response is received the vessel registration status is changed to closed on the register

Additional Forms

MSF 4705 Bill of Sale

MSF 4735 Declaration of Eligibility to Register a Bareboat Charter Ship

MSF 4738 Application to Register a Bareboat Charter Ship

MSF 4737 Mortgage of a ship to secure Principal sum and interest LLP

MSF 4741 Application for a change of name or port of choice

MSF 4742 Application for Duplicate Certificate of Registry

MSF 4743 Builders Certificate

MSF 4744 Application to Remove a British Ship from the Register