Welcome to our general question and answers section. If you can not find the answers you are looking for, please contact the relevant department at the UK Ship Register
Is there a website where I can see if the name I would like for my vessel is available?
Can I register my vessel online?
What is required for a change of ownership?
What is required for a change of name or port?
How do I renew my registration?
What Ports of Registry are available?
Are copies of the title documentation acceptable for registration purposes?
What does 'status' mean in section 2 of the Declaration of Eligibility?
I cannot get original documentation for registration of my boat. What can I do?
What if I cannot get all the documentation required for registration or change of ownership?
What is a survey for tonnage and measurement, where do I get it and how much does it cost?
Can I use a condition survey instead of a survey for tonnage and measurement?
The previous owner has died. How can ownership be transferred?
I am eligible to register but my partner is not. What can I do?
Is there a website where I can see if the name I would like for my vessel is available?
Not at the moment. However it is anticipated that this will be available the latter part of next year when you will be able to check the availability of your
chosen name and reserve it online.
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Can I register my vessel online?
Part I and Fishing (Part II) - Applications for new registrations can be initiatled on line via this website.
Small ships (Part III) - All registration processes (apart from renewels) including payment of fees can be completed online via this website.
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What is required for a change of ownership?
Declaration of Eligibility
Original Bills of Sale going back to last registered owner
Copy of the Certificate of Incorporation (if owner is a company)
Old Certificate of Registry
Statutory fee
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What is required for a change of name or port?
Application for a change of name/port of a vessel
Statutory fee
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How do I renew my registration?
Renewal notices are sent to the registered address three months before the date of expiry. These should be completed and returned with the appropraite fee to the Registry of Shipping and Seamen. If you haven't received a renewal notice, please contact the appropriate department at the Registry of Shipping and Seamen.
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What Ports of Registry are available?
Ports of Registry for Parts I, II and IV are available from the Forms and Documents page.
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Are copies of the title documentation acceptable for registration purposes?
All title documentation should be original and if it is in a foreign language it must be accompanied by a notarized translation. The documents will be endorsed and returned to you with the Certificate of Registry.
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What does 'status' mean in section 2 of the Declaration of Eligibility?
Status means your eligibility to be registered and reference to this can be found in section 4 of the form. There are 8 comments listed alphabetically and you must choose the one applicable to you and enter the corresponding letter in the status column in section 2 i.e, “f” if you are a company incorporated in an EEA state.
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I cannot get original documentation for registration of my boat. What can I do?
Let us know what you are able to obtain and we may be able to suggest alternative supporting documentation.
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What if I cannot get all the documentation required for registration or change of ownership?
Let us know what documentation you can provide as we may be able to continue with the registration through alternative supporting information.
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What is a survey for tonnage and measurement, where do I get it and how much does it cost?
A survey for tonnage and measurement is carried out by a recognised Classification Society. You would need to check with the Classification Society what their charges are. Recognised Classification Societies can be found here (link)
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Can I use a condition survey instead of a survey for tonnage and measurement?
The Registration Regulations dictate that a vessel must be surveyed by a surveyor of ships and her tonnage ascertained in accordance with the Tonnage Regulations and a Conditional Survey does not fulfill this requirement.
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The previous owner has died. How can ownership be transferred?
If the shares in the vessels are held jointly with others, on production of an original death certificate, new Declaration of Eligibility and return of the old Certificate of Registry, a new Certificate will be issued without charge.
If the shares of the deceased are not held jointly with others a new official bill of sale will need to be completed by the Executors named on the Probate or Letters of Administration. This Bill of Sale, Declaration of Eligibility, the grant of representation (probate, letters of administration or for Scotland a confirmation) old Certificate of Registry and fee would be required to change ownership details.
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Registered owners have to submit a request in writing signed by ALL registered owners and return the current Certificate of Registry.
If you are a new owner requesting closure you also need to make a written request and enclose the original Bill of Sale to you from the previous registered owner and return the Certificate of Registry.
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I am eligible to register but my partner is not. What can I do?
Your partner can have a minority share in the vessel. E.g. you can have 33 shares and your partner can have 31. The bills of sale and declaration of eligibility and fee would have to reflect this.
Care should be taken when completing section 2 of the Declaration of Eligibility as the eligible owners must be listed first and a line drawn under them before the non-eligible owners are listed.
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