Register a boat

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The UK Ship Register

You need to register your boat with the UK Ship Register to use it at sea.

Whether you can use the register depends on your citizenship status. Check the eligibility requirements for each part of the UK Ship Register.

There are 4 different parts of the register. Which part you use depends on what you’re using your boat for:

  • Part 1 - commercial or pleasure boats
  • Part 2 - fishing boats
  • Part 3 - small boats
  • Part 4 - charter boats

Part 1 registration - commercial or pleasure boats

You can use Part 1 of the register if you have either:

  • a commercial boat, unless you plan to use it for fishing
  • a ‘pleasure vessel’ - this means you do not make any money from it

Registering your boat on Part 1 of the register means you’ll be able to:

  • get a marine mortgage against your boat
  • spend more than 6 months outside the UK

It costs £153 to register for 5 years.

You’ll be sent a renewal notice when it’s time to renew. It costs £72 to renew your registration for another 5 years.

Part 2 registration - fishing boats

Use Part 2 of the register if you’re using your boat to catch and sell fish.

You can choose from ‘simple’ or ‘full’ registration. If you choose full registration you can get a marine mortgage against your boat.

To register for 5 years it costs:

  • £159 for simple registration
  • £196 for full registration

Part 3 registration - small boats

Use Part 3 of the register (small ships register) if:

  • your boat is less than 24 metres long
  • your boat is a pleasure vessel
  • you live in the UK for at least 185 days of the year

You cannot use Part 3 of the register if you’re a business.

Registering on Part 3 of the register means you’ll be able to prove your boat’s nationality when sailing outside UK waters.

It costs £35 for 5 years.

You’ll be sent a renewal notice when it’s time to renew.

Part 4 registration - charter boats

Use Part 4 of the register if you plan to hire out (charter) your boat.

It costs between £35 and £196 for 5 years. The amount you’ll pay depends on the type of boat you’re registering.

How to register

You can register your boat online. You’ll need to create an account if you do not already have one.

If you own the boat with other people, all owners must have an account before you can register your boat online.

Start now

You can pay by debit or credit card.

You can also use the online service to renew, cancel or change the details of your registration.

Before you start

You’ll need:

  • the dimensions of your boat
  • the previous registration details of the boat (if it’s been registered before)
  • the bill of sale
  • the radio signal detail - including your UK radio call sign, Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number and International Maritime Organization (IMO) number
  • the builders certificate
  • a certificate of survey for tonnage and measurement
  • an international tonnage certificate (ITC69)
  • safety certificates

Other ways to register

You can also register by post. Download and fill in the form for the type of boat you want to register.

Contact

You can contact the UK Ship Register by email, phone or post.

UK Ship Register (The Registry of Shipping and Seamen)
UKSR@mcga.gov.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)20 3908 5200
Find out about call charges

UK Ship Register (The Registry of Shipping and Seamen)
MCA Cardiff
Anchor Court
Keen Road
Cardiff
CF24 5JW

View a printable version of the whole guide

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