SMALL FISHING VESSEL SAFETY

Small Fishing vessels (those under 15M LOA) are not subject to regular statutory survey, but UK law requires that registered small fishing vessels are seaworthy and equipped to a safe standard.

  • For new vessels (those built since 16 July 2007), the construction must conform to the SEAFISH standard for small Fishing Vessels, failure to do so will result in failure to register the vessel, the only route to do this is for SEAFISH to oversee the construction.
  • For vessels built prior to 16 July 2007, owners will be required to prove that their vessels are seaworthy. This is done through SEAFISH who will complete a registration inspection. This survey will examine the vessel’s structure against the SEAFISH standard for small fishing vessels. The UK registry will then examine the SEAFISH report, and either allow registration, or ask the owner to address areas of concern. Registration will not be allowed to proceed until areas of concern have been addressed.
  • For all vessels (whether new build or not), an MCA safety inspection must follow the SEAFISH survey/registration inspection. The MCA inspection will cover safety equipment, and the crew qualifications.

In detail; for new Vessels built since 16 July 2007

Vessel Length

Hull Construction Certificate issued by Seafish (chargeable)

Outfit Compliance Certificate issued by Seafish (chargeable)

Safety Inspection conducted by MCA  or Seafish (free)

Under 7m LOA

Yes

Not Required

Yes

7m LOA  to less than 15m LOA

Yes

Yes

Yes

Existing Vessels built before 16 July 2007;

Vessel Length

Registration Inspection by Seafish (chargeable)

Safety Inspection by MCA (free)

Under 7m LOA

Yes

Yes

7m LOA  to less than 15m LOA

Yes

Yes

BEFORE PURCHASING AN EXISTING VESSEL YOU ARE ADVISED TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE ON THE SUITABILITY OF THE VESSEL TO REGISTER AS A FISHING VESSEL. ALL EXISTING VESSELS WISHING TO JOIN THE FISHING VESSEL REGISTER WILL HAVE TO UNDERGO A SURVEY BY SEAFISH.

Seafish charge a fixed fee for the survey of existing vessels, regardless of location, which are as follows:

Vessels under 7m                      £360 plus VAT

Vessels 7m to less than 10m    £430 plus VAT

Vessels 10m to less than 15m  £500 plus VAT

Arrangements for SEAFISH work should be made through:

SEAFISH Marine Services:

Tel;   0131 524 8678   

Fax;   0131 558 1442

Email; information@seafishmarineservices.com

MCA Safety Inspections (which are free) should be arranged through;

West UK; Plymouth Marine Office,  

Tel; 01752 266211   

Fax; 01752 225826   

East UK: Hull Marine Office,

Tel; 01482 866 606,

Fax 01482 869

Scotland and Northern Ireland; Aberdeen Marine Office,

Tel: 01224 597 900,

Fax 01224 573 725