Overview
When an owner intends to register a ship on Part I or Part II and the vessel is currently outside of British waters you may apply for a 3 month provisional registration. Whilst Provisionally registered a vessel cannot operate commercially or fish for profit.
Provisional registration gives no entitlement to register a ship under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
A Provisional Certificate is valid either for three months from the date of issue, the ships arrival in the United Kingdom or termination by the Registry on request from the owner, whichever is sooner.
This Certificate cannot be renewed and if lost you must inform the Registry immediately. A ship once provisionally registered, cannot be provisionally registered again within one year of the date of the original certificate of provisional registration.
If registration onto the UK Ship Register is not completed before the Certificate expires, your ship will cease to be recognised as British.
How to apply
If you want to apply to provisionally register your vessel, you can use the UK Ship registration service online.
You can also apply via email or post (details below) by sending us the following:
- Application to Register
- Declaration of Eligibility
- Registration fees which can be paid via following links: £175 for standard service or £315 for premium service
- Certificate of Incorporation (if applicable)
- Letter signed by the owner confirming the vessel is outside of UK waters
Apply by post
UK Ship Register (The Registry of Shipping and Seamen)
MCA Cardiff
Anchor Court
Keen Road
Cardiff
CF24 5JW