Any ship, whether new-build or transferring from another flag, must be surveyed before it can be registered on the UK Ship Register. Surveys can be carried out by MCA surveyors or, in certain cases, by MCA-approved Class surveyors through the Alternative Compliance Scheme (ACS) or Enhanced Authorisation Scheme (EAS).
If your vessel's survey is carried out by the MCA, your survey application should be made using form MSF 5100.
If, on completion of survey, the surveyor is satisfied that your ship meets international standards and UK regulations (where relevant) of safety and pollution prevention, short-term certification can be issued immediately. Full-term certification will follow in due course.
Class Surveys
If the survey of your vessel is delegated to Class, you should provide the name and contact details of the attending Class surveyor. On receipt, the UK Ship Register will arrange issue of the Instrument of Appointment. A transfer of flag survey can be arranged to suit the trading pattern of the ship to avoid any lost time.
Alternative Compliance Scheme (ACS)
When a ship is registered under this voluntary scheme, it allows the Classification Society to perform all statutory surveys required under SOLAS, MARPOL and Load Line Conventions (with the exception of ISM, MLC and ISPS audits) without a formal 'appointment' by the UK Ship Register. This streamlines the survey and certification process by minimising duplication of effort.
Entry into the scheme is conditional on Port State Control and Class criteria being met. To apply to be considered for the Alternative Compliance Scheme, complete MSF 4753. Further information is contained in MGN 568 (M).