UK Small Ships Register: MCA Cardiff
The process for registering your small vessel or boat for use at sea is simple. Follow the steps on the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Small Ship Register online service.
SMALL SHIPS REGISTER: How to use UK Ship Register at MCA Cardiff.
Small Ships Register Part 3
You may need to prove the nationality of your boat if you sail outside the waters of the United Kingdom.
You can achieve this by registering your vessel on the UK Small Ships Register.
The SSR UK Online Registration Service provides you with a simple form of non-title registration. SSR registration is only available for eligible residents who live in the United Kingdom. But, you can use the Small Ships Register UK for pleasure vessels less than 24 metres in length.
Registering a recreational vessel on the Small Ship Register costs £35 for five (5) years. UK SSR registration criteria depends on:
- The length of your boat or pleasure vessel being less than 24 meters.
- You being a private individual (not operating as a company).
- You living as a resident in the United Kingdom for at least 185 days of the year.
- Your sailing craft or vessel having a unique boat name or title.
MCA Small Ships Register Renewal (change of owner)
You can edit an existing SSR registration online. This is useful if you change the legal ownership or address of the boat keeper.
The same service allows you to make your Small Ships Register search for renewal. MCA Cardiff send a renewal notice when it's time to renew Small Ships Registration.
Small Ship Part I Registration
Your boat must have a unique name for registration on the Small Ships Register Part I. The cost is £153 for five (5) years. Part 1 registry covers you in circumstances where you need to:
- Prove you are the owner of the boat.
- Prove the nationality of your small vessel.
- Use the craft as security to apply for a marine mortgage.
- Register a vessel for pleasure or recreational purposes.
- Get 'transcripts of registry' showing previous owners and any outstanding mortgages.
Small Ships Register Boat Names Application (SSR UK)
- You need to have a completed application to register a British Ship (MSF 4740).
- You also need a completed declaration of eligibility (MSF 4727).
- To complete the application you need 5 years of original title documents.
(e.g. a bill of sale (MSF 4705), boat builder's certificate (MSF 4743), sales agreement or invoice)
Following that you need to send the following supporting documents:
- Certificate of survey for tonnage and measurement.
- International tonnage certificate if the boat is over 24 meters.
- Certificate of incorporation if you are registering on behalf of a company.
- Deletion certificate if your boat was on another register before.
- Confirmation of radio call sign if you have one.
When you pay the registration fee you can use several methods:
- Send a cheque (payable to Maritime and Coastguard Agency).
- Fill in the optional request to pay by credit card to RSS MSF 5184.
- Call the Part I Small Ships Register telephone number (for credit card payments).
You will receive a renewal notice when it is time to renew your registration. The renewal fee is £49 for another five (5) years.
Registration of Small Commercial Vessels
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency can help you with the small vessel register. Contact MCA for registration of small commercial vessels over 100 gross tonnes (GT).
The UK Ship Register search tool has information and guidance for merchant ship and bareboat charter. Contact The UK Small Ship Register (SSR registration) for small commercial vessels under 100 GT.
Part III Registration (MCA Small Ships Register UK)
Email: ssr_registry@mcga.gov.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)29 2044 8813
Fax: +44 (0)29 2044 8850
Part I Registration
Email: part1_registry@mcga.gov.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)29 2044 8866
Fax: +44 (0)29 2044 8820
UK Ship Register (The Registry of Shipping and Seamen Cardiff Contact)
Telephone number: +44 (0)29 2044 8800
Check the cost of phone calls in the United Kingdom
UK Ship Register (The Registry of Shipping and Seamen)
MCA Cardiff
Anchor Court
Keen Road
Cardiff
CF24 5JW
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Boat Ownership: How to licence your sailing vessel with the proper authorities.
Boats and Waterways: Everything you need to know about boating rules and regulations.
Health and Safety on Ships: Check HSE responsibilities for ship owners and operators.
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Working on Rivers: Find out if you need Environment Agency flood defence consent or permission.
UK Ship Register Search: MCA Small Ships Register and Renewal
