If a vessel is currently registered with the UK Ship Register, but is changing ownership either due to a vessel being sold, purchased or inherited, the new owner will have to update the registration certificate to reflect the change.
How to apply
You can contact us at uksr@mcga.gov.uk to apply to Change the Ownership if you have just bought your vessel.
Depending on what part the registry the vessel is current registered on, the registration process and requirements are different. Guidance and links to relevant forms for each part of the registry can be found below:
Change of ownership
Commercial Vessels Registered on Part 1 of the UK Ship Register
If there is a mortgage outstanding against the transferor, the vessels ownership can still be registered, provided the mortgage box is ticked and the bottom of the form. Please be advised that the new owner does not take an ownership of the existing mortgage. Once the change of ownership has been registered, the mortgage will remain on our register as historic in the name of the transferor.
The Declaration of eligibility is to be completed in full and, the property in a ship is divided into 64 shares.
If none of the owners making up the majority interest resides in the UK, a UK representative must be appointed.
A Certificate of incorporation (if applicable) must be included in your application if the registering owner is a registered company.
A Valid coding certificate completed by a class/certifying authority (if applicable) is required for all commercial vessels under 24m. A large commercial yacht over 24m will require a large yacht certificate issued by Large Yacht Services. The certificate must be in the name of the new owner or the managing agent if stipulated.
The fee to register a change of ownership is £105. A fee will be required for any additional bill of sale involved with the transfer of shares
The Continuous Synopsis Record (if applicable) (CSR) is a form of log book that stays with the ship for its whole life, and records all changes of owner, flag, name, Class, ISM etc. The ship must keep its copy of the CSR on board even when it transfers to another flag state, is sold to another owner, is taken over by another bareboat charter, or another company assumes the responsibility of the ship operation.
A CSR must be maintained for: Passenger ships on international voyages, cargo ships of 500 GT and above on international voyages and Class A passenger ships operating domestic services within UK waters.
Pleasure Vessels Registered on Part 1 of the UK Ship Register
If there is a mortgage outstanding against transferor, the vessels ownership can still be registered, provided the mortgage box is ticked and the bottom of the form. Please be advised that the new owner does not take an ownership of the existing mortgage. Once the change of ownership has been registered, the mortgage will remain on our register as historic in the name of the transferor
The Declaration of eligibility is to be completed in full and, the property in a ship is divided into 64 shares.
If none of the owners making up the majority interest is resident in the UK, a representative person must be appointed.
A Certificate of incorporation (if applicable) must be included in your application if the registering owner is a registered company.
Fishing Vessels Registered on Part 2 of the UK Ship Register
If the person transferring the vessel has an outstanding mortgage against it, ownership can still be registered, provided the mortgage box is ticked at the bottom of the form. Please be advised that the new owner does not take on ownership of the existing mortgage. Once the change of ownership has been registered, for historic purposes the mortgage will remain on our register‚ under the name of the mortgagor.
The Declaration of eligibility must be completed in full and the property in a ship is divided into 64 shares. If none of the owners that make up the majority interest are resident in the UK, a representative person must be appointed.
A Certificate of incorporation (if applicable)must be included in your application if the registering owner is a registered company.
A UK Fishing Vessel Certificate (UKFVC) over 15m or a MSF1606 inspection for a vessel under 15m vessel.
Bareboat Charter Vessels Registered on Part 4 of the UK Ship Register
Any change of ownership must be carried out on the primary register in accordance with local law.
The change of ownership will then need to be registered with the UK Ship Register by submitting the following documents:
New Barecon 2001 agreement
Bareboat declaration of eligibility
Transcript and certificate of registry from the primary register
Consent from the primary register regarding the new charter agreement
Certificate of incorporation for the charterer (if applicable)
A certificate of incorporation must be included in your application if the registering owner or charter are a registered company.
Apply by post
If you would like to like to apply through the post, please download the correct forms which can be found above for each part of the register, complete them, including all relevant documents, the registration fee and return them to:-
UK Ship Register (The Registry of Shipping and Seamen)
MCA Cardiff
Anchor Court
Keen Road
Cardiff
CF24 5JW
Should you need further information or assistance, please get in touch with one of our dedicated members of the via email or via contact us.