Guidance and regulation

How ship security is managed in the UK, and how to comply with UK regulations on ship security.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 11 June 2021

Find out which activities may be exempt from requiring a marine licence and what you need to do in such circumstances.

• From: Marine Management Organisation
• Updated: 30 May 2019

• Marine licensing exempted activities

  If you intend to rely on exemption(s) you must make sure that you meet the…

Approved training providers for port facility security officer (PFSO) training.

• From: Department for Transport
• Updated: 22 March 2024

Draws attention to mariners on the mandatory reporting regime and the recommendations for navigating within the Dover strait.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 27 October 2021

Maintenance intervals of portable fire extinguishers.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 28 June 2004

Maintenance intervals of portable fire extinguishers.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 20 April 2023

Information on implementing and maintaining good cyber security practices on maritime vessels.

• From: Department for Transport
• Updated: 24 July 2023

What private maritime security companies (PMSCs) need to provide to comply with licence conditions.

• From: Department for Business and Trade and 2 others
• Updated: 25 July 2022

Example security plans for passenger and cargo ships, these documents are to be used as templates for officers creating their own plans.

• From: Department for Transport
• Updated: 19 November 2012

Information on licensing needed for private maritime security companies (PMSC's) to provide maritime anti-piracy services in the ‘high risk area’ (HRA).

• From: Department for Business and Trade and 2 others
• Updated: 25 July 2022

Export licensing requirements for storing firearms on a vessel-based armoury (VBA) in the high-risk area (HRA) of the Indian Ocean.

• From: Department for Business and Trade and 2 others
• Updated: 25 July 2022

This treaty was presented to Parliament in May 2022.

• From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
• Updated: 11 May 2022

What private maritime security companies (PMSCs) with a trade control licence must do when their circumstances change like leaving the sector or merging.

• From: Department for Business and Trade and 2 others
• Updated: 25 July 2022

This note provides guidance to owners, operators and seafarers on the UK provisions on the MCA’s handling of complaints made to the MCA relating to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC).

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 21 April 2022

Interim guidance covering the use, in exceptional circumstances, of armed guards on UK flagged vessels to defend against piracy.

• From: Department for Transport
• Updated: 1 December 2015

Guidance on how the Firearms (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1997 will further affect the types of weapons which may be carried onboard ships.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 28 January 1998

This treaty was presented to Parliament in June 2021.

• From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
• Updated: 16 June 2021

A listing of the security maritime training films and documents, available on request, to educate port support staff on correct practices.

• From: Department for Transport
• Updated: 16 June 2022

Overview of the UK national maritime security programme including compliance, training and security levels.

• From: Department for Transport
• Updated: 14 May 2008

Security measures and practices for passenger vessel services and piers on the River Thames.

• From: Department for Transport
• Updated: 1 January 2012