How to Register
You will need to complete a British ship form which can be completed and submitted with the appropriate support documentation via this website through the link above, together with the appropriate fee(s) paid by credit card or submitted electronically by BACS details of which, along with our current fee structure, are available on this website. Alternatively, it can be posted along with the appropriate support documentation and fee(s) to: UK Ship Register – RSS, PO Box 420, Cardiff, CF24 5XR, United Kingdom.
What you need to register
Required Documents
In support of either application method, the following documents are required for Part II registration and can be obtained from this website through the links below. Once completed, they can be submitted on-line, by email, fax or post to the UK Ship Register - RSS in Cardiff at the above address.
Forms: Full Registration
| MSF4740 - | Application to register a British Ship  (20Kb) (available as part of online application) |
| MSF4728 - | Declaration of Eligibility ((including a declaration of the maximum continuous engine power (MCEP) – for details see MSF 1310 (32Kb)) |
| MSF4705 - | Title Document (15Kb) – Bill(s) of Sale covering the last three years and/or builders certificates |
| MSF4743 - | Builders Certificate (10Kb) |
| Safety Certificate (for vessels of 12 metres and over) | |
| International Tonnage Convention certificate 1969 (ITC 69) (for vessels of 15 metres and over) | |
| Registration Fee (details of our current fee structure are available on this website) |
Supporting Documentation
Copy of Certificate of Incorporation (If the owner is a body corporate)
Safety Certificate (for vessels over 15 metres)
International Tonnage Certificate (ITC69) (If the vessel is over 15 metres)
SEAFISH Certificate - see below for details
Forms: Simple Registration
| MSF4740 - | Application to register a Fishing Vessel (20Kb) (available as part of online application) |
| MSF4728 - | Declaration of Eligibility ((including a declaration of the maximum continuous engine power (MCEP) – for details see MSF 1310 (32Kb)) |
| An original receipted invoice or Bill of Sale to the person who wishes to register the vessel | |
| Registration Fee (details of our current fee structure are available on this website) |
Supporting Documentation
Copy of Certificate of Incorporation (If the owner is a body corporate)
Safety Certificate (for vessels over 15 metres)
International Tonnage Certificate (ITC69) (If the vessel is over 15 metres)
SEAFISH Certificate - see below for details
Seafish Inspection Certificates
All those registering for the first time or for vessels that have previously been registered and whose registration has been closed over 6 months must provide the following from Seafish prior to registration.
New build
7m LOA to 15m LOA; Hull construction certificate + outfit compliance certificate
Under 7m LOA; Hull construction certificate only.
Built since Apr 2001, but not new build
Under 15m LOA; Declaration of Inspection Certificate.
Built prior to 2001
Under 15m LOA; Flag in Survey report (from Seafish)
Seafish contact for surveys is 01315 248 678. They will provide a quote for the work.
Carving & Marking
On receiving your application the vessel will be issued with a Carving and Marking note. The vessel then must be carved and marked and measured by an Authorised Measurer.
- Vessel of 15 metres and over - measurement is carried out by one of the classification society surveyors, who complete a certificate of measurement and an International Convention certificate 1969 (ITC 69).
- Vessels of under 15 metres in England, Wales and Northern Ireland - measurement is carried out by a local Coastguard. In Scotland measurement is carried out by a local fishery officer. A certificate of measurement only is issued for these vessels.
- The Carving and Marking note and the measurement certificate are then to be returned to the UK Ship Register – RSS in Cardiff.
All applications must be accompanied with the appropriate fee. Application forms and details of our current fee structure are available from this website or from the UK Ship Register – RSS in Cardiff.
When you apply to register you must have a list of nominated names for the vessel, which must be unique to the port that you wish to register under. A Certificate of Registry is valid for five years, and to continue to fish for profit the registration must then be renewed.
