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Full Registration of a Fishing Vessel

Registering your fishing vessel via “full” registration means you have the option to register a mortgage against it.

If you want to apply to register your fishing vessel, you can use the UK Ship Register online service.

Documents required for full registration of a fishing vessel

You will need to provide supporting documents and pay the appropriate fee. Requirements to register depend on the age and size of your vessel. The Application to Register and Declaration of Eligibility forms are not needed if you are submitting your application using the UK Ship Register online service.

Please note that you will need to print off and sign any documents, as we cannot accept digital signatures. Any documents used to support your application, if not in English, must be accompanied by a notarised translation.

Please use the relevant information below for your vessel, and if you need any more information please call us on +44 (0)20 3908 5200  or email us at uksr@mcga.gov.uk

    • Application to Register MSF 4740B (not required if applying via online service)
    • Declaration of Eligibility MSF 4728 (not required if applying via online service)
    • Three years' title history in the form of Bills of Sale to the new owner MSF 4705
    • Builder's Certificate (for vessels built within the last three years) MSF 4743
    • A copy of the Certificate of Incorporation (if the owner is a body corporate)
    • Hull Construction Certificate issued by a Fishing Vessel Certifying Authority
    • Payment of the registration fee of £196 that can be paid via GOV.UK

    Three years' title evidence is required to “full” register a fishing vessel. A vessel that is under three years old will require title evidence from and including the Builder’s Certificate, through to the current Bill of Sale.

    A “full” registered fishing vessel allows mortgages to be registered against the vessel.

    Once these documents have been received, we will issue a Carving and Marking note to confirm the name, Official Number, port of registry and PLN (Port Letter Numbers) of the vessel. A Fishing Vessel Certificate following inspection and a Measurement Certificate will be required before the Certificate of Registry can be issued; inspection should be arranged with your local MCA Marine Office.

    You can find further guidance on requirements for registering a fishing vessel and inspections on GOV.UK.

    • Application to Register MSF 4740B (not required if applying via online service)
    • Declaration of Eligibility MSF 4728 (not required if applying via online service)
    • Three years' title history in the form of Bills of Sale to the new owner MSF 4705
    • Builder's Certificate (for vessels built within the last three years) MSF 4743
    • A copy of the Certificate of Incorporation (if the owner is a body corporate)
    • Hull Construction Certificate (MSF1376) or Seafish Certificate. If the vessel was built before 16 July 2007 Seafish Certificate is not required
    • Registration Report or Comparison Report from a Fishing Vessel Certifying Authority and acceptance on the UK Ship Register from an MCA Principal Consultant Fishing Surveyor. The Registration Report or Comparison Report will be used to ensure vessels meet current Construction and Outfit standards
    • Registration fee of £196 that can be paid via GOV.UK

    Three years' title evidence is required to “full” register a  fishing vessel. A vessel that is under three years old will require title evidence from and including the Builder’s Certificate, through to the current Bill of Sale.

    A “full” registered fishing vessel allows mortgages to be registered against the vessel.

    Once these documents have been received, we will issue a Carving and Marking note to confirm the name, Official Number, port of registry and PLN (Port Letter Numbers) of the vessel. A Fishing Vessel Certificate following inspection and a Measurement Certificate will be required before the Certificate of Registry can be issued; inspection should be arranged with your local MCA Marine Office.

    You can find further guidance on requirements for registering a fishing vessel and inspections on GOV.UK.

    Three years' title evidence is required to register a fishing vessel under full registration. A vessel that is under three years old will require title evidence from and including the Builder’s Certificate, through to the current Bill of Sale.

    A “full” registered fishing vessel allows mortgages to be registered against the vessel.

    Once these documents have been received, we will issue a Carving and Marking note to confirm the name, Official Number, port of registry and PLN (Port Letter Numbers) of the vessel. A Fishing Vessel Certificate following inspection and a Measurement Certificate will be required before the Certificate of Registry can be issued; inspection should be arranged with your local MCA Marine Office.

    You can find further guidance on registering a fishing vessel and inspections on GOV.UK.

    • Application to Register MSF 4740B (not required if applying via online service)
    • Declaration of Eligibility MSF 4728 (not required if applying via online service)
    • Three years' title history in the form of Bills of Sale to the new owner MSF 4705
    • Builder's Certificate (for vessels built within the last three years) MSF 4743
    • A copy of the Certificate of Incorporation (if the owner is a body corporate)
    • Hull Construction Certificate (MSF1376) or Seafish Certificate, if the vessel was built before 16 July 2007 Seafish Certificate is not required
    • Outfit Compliance Certificate (MSF 1368), if the vessel was built before 16 July 2007 this is not required
    • Registration Report or Comparison Report from a Fishing Vessel Certifying Authority and acceptance on the UK Ship Register from an MCA Principal Fishing Surveyor. The registration Report or Comparison Report will be used to ensure vessels meet current Construction and Outfit standards
    • Registration fee of £196 that can be paid via GOV.UK

    Three years' title evidence is required to full register a fishing vessel. A vessel that is under three years old will require title evidence from and including the Builder’s Certificate, through to the current Bill of Sale.

    A “full” registered fishing vessel allows mortgages to be registered against the vessel.

    Once these documents have been received, we will issue a Carving and Marking note to confirm the name, Official Number, port of registry and PLN (Port Letter Numbers) of the vessel. A Fishing Vessel Certificate following inspection and a Measurement Certificate will be required before the Certificate of Registry can be issued; inspection should be arranged with your local MCA Marine Office.

    You can find further guidance on registering a fishing vessel and inspections on GOV.UK.

  • Options for fishing vessel registration

    There are two types of registration for fishing vessels. If you're looking to register via simple registration instead of full, please visit our Simple Registration of a Fishing Vessel page linked below:

  • Where to send your documents

  • If you are using the UK Ship Register online service, you can upload documents directly to the platform.

    If you are not using the online UK Ship Register service, you will need to send us your documents via email to uksr@mcga.gov.uk

    If you are unable to email your documents, please post them to:

    UK Ship Register
    Maritime and Coastguard Agency
    Anchor Court
    Keen Road
    Cardiff
    CF24 5JW

    Call us on +44 (0)20 3908 5200 if you need any more information.