Owners must declare the maximum continuous engine or permanently de-rated engine power (MCEP) when registering or re-registering a UK fishing vessel with the UK Ship Register. Any changes to vessel engines or engine KW power will need to be recorded by the UK Ship Register and correct, current Engine information shown on the Certificate of Registry. See MGN 435 for further information.

A change of any vessel details may affect your fishing licence. Contact the Marine Management Organisation for guidance.

Change fishing vessel engine or engine details

If you previously completed your vessel registration using the UK Ship Register online service or have created a customer account and linked it to your vessel registration record, you can log in to change your vessel’s engine details using the UK Ship Register online service.

To change your vessel's engine or decrease (de-rate) an engine's power we will need supporting documentation to be included and fees to be paid.

If using the UK Ship Register online service to change to a different engine:

• Please change vessel details and upload a copy of receipt or invoice for the engine

The invoice must show full engine details including engine power, engine maker, engine model, proof of full payment and linked to the vessel or the vessel owner.

• Pay the fee online of £53 on GOV.UK

Decrease current engine KW power (de-rate)

• Please upload to your customer account linked to your vessel registration the de-rating certificate confirming the make, model of the engine and power before and after de-rating in KW, method used, and confirmation that the de-rating has been made permanent and tamper proof. This should be issued by a competent person or company, see MGN 435 3.2 for further information
• Upload a signed letter from the owner confirming the de-rating
• Pay the fee online of £53 on GOV.UK

Any de-rating over 25% will need to be approved by an MCA Policy Manager.
 

What to do if you do not use the online service

For engine changes not using the UK Ship Register service online, you can send documents or copies of documents by email or post to the email or postal address found at the bottom of this page. Please include a covering letter setting out the changes. It should include:

• The vessel name
• Official Number of the vessel
• The signature and name of the owner of the vessel
• Confirmation you have paid the fee online of £53 on GOV.UK