You are able to register a Pleasure Craft or Small Ship on either Part I or Part III of the UK Ship Register.
The main advantages of Part I registration are to prove the vessel’s nationality and to use the vessel as security to obtain a marine mortgage which in turn is registered. We strongly advise your vessel to have Part I identification if you are to undertake overseas voyages.
During registration we fully investigate ownership details. Purchasers of a UK registered vessel can obtain a Transcript of Registry, which shows the registered owners and whether there are any outstanding mortgages lodged against it.
The Small Ship Register (Part III) is a simple way of registering which proves the ship’s nationality. It does not register ‘Title’ and you cannot register a mortgage. Part III is not for companies, fishing or submersible vessels or vessels 24 metres or over in length.
Finally, always apply for registration well before the date you want to sail.