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Simple Registration of a Fishing Vessel

Registering your fishing vessel via “simple” registration means you cannot register a mortgage against the vessel. If you wish to have a mortgage registered against the vessel, please see our “full” registration option instead.

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

Documents required for simple 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 online.

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

Call us on +44 (0)20 3908 5200 or email us at uksr@mcga.gov.uk if you need any more information.

    • 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 
    • Builders Certificate (for vessels built within the last three years) MSF 4743 
    • Copy of Certificate of Incorporation (if the owner is a body corporate) 
    • Hull Construction Certificate (MSF 1376)
    • Registration fee £159

    The most recent bill of sale or a builder’s certificate is required to register “simple” fishing vessel. The document should show the applicant(s) are the owner(s) of the vessel.

    A “Simple” registered fishing vessel cannot have a mortgage registered against the vessel.

    Once the above has 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 to be arranged with your local MCA Marine Office.

    Further guidance on fishing vessel requirements and inspections can be found on GOV.UK

    • Application to Register MSF 4740B
    • Declaration of Eligibility MSF 4728
    • Three years title history in the form of Bills of Sale to the new owner MSF 4705 
    • Builders Certificate (for vessels built within the last three years) MSF 4743 
    • Copy of Certificate of Incorporation (if the owner is a body corporate)
    • Hull Construction Certificate (MSF1376) or Seafish Certificate. If the vessel was built before 16th July 2007 Seafish Certificate is not required)
    • Registration Report or Comparison Report from a Fishing Vessel Certifying Authority
    • Acceptance on the UK Ship Register from Principal Fishing Surveyor, the above Registration Report or Comparison Report will be used to make any registration decision
    • Registration fee £159

    The most recent bill of sale or a builder’s certificate is required to register “simple” fishing vessel. The document should show the applicant(s) are the owner(s) of the vessel.

    A “simple” registered fishing vessel cannot have a mortgage registered against the vessel.

    Once the above has 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 to be arranged with your local MCA Marine Office.

    Further guidance on fishing vessel requirements and inspections can be found on GOV.UK

    • Application to Register MSF 4740B
    • Declaration of Eligibility MSF 4728
    • Bills of Sale to the new owner MSF 4705 
    • Builders Certificate (for vessels built within the last three years) MSF 4743 
    • Copy of Certificate of Incorporation (if the owner is a body corporate)
    • Hull Construction Certificate (MSF1376) 
    • Outfit Compliance Certificate (MSF 1368)
    • Registration fee £159

    The most recent bill of sale or a builder’s certificate is required to register a fishing vessel via simple registration. The document should show the applicant(s) are the owner(s) of the vessel.

    A “simple” registered fishing vessel cannot have a mortgage registered against the vessel.

    Once the above has 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 to be arranged with your local MCA Marine Office.

    Further guidance on fishing vessel requirements and inspections can be found on GOV.UK

    • Application to Register MSF 4740B
    • Declaration of Eligibility MSF 4728
    • Three years title history in the form of Bills of Sale to the new owner MSF 4705 
    • Builders Certificate (for vessels built within the last three years) MSF 4743 
    • Copy of Certificate of Incorporation (if the owner is a body corporate)
    • Hull Construction Certificate (MSF1376) or Seafish Certificate. If the vessel was built before 16th July 2007 Seafish Certificate is not required)
    • Registration Report/Comparison Report from a Fishing Vessel Certifying Authority 
    • Acceptance on the UK Ship Register from Principal Fishing Surveyor, the above Registration Report/Comparison Report will be used to make any registration decision
    • Registration fee £159

    The most recent bill of sale or a builder’s certificate is required to register a fishing vessel via simple registration. The document should show the applicant(s) are the owner(s) of the vessel.

    A “simple” registered fishing vessel cannot have a mortgage registered against the vessel.

    Once the above has 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 to be arranged with your local MCA Marine Office.

    Further guidance on fishing vessel requirements and inspections can be found on GOV.UK

    • Application to Register MSF 4740B
    • Declaration of Eligibility MSF 4728
    • Bills of Sale to the new owner MSF 4705 
    • Builders Certificate (for vessels built within the last three years) MSF 4743 
    • Copy of Certificate of Incorporation (if the owner is a body corporate)
    • Partial Declaration (MSF 1326)
    • Acceptance on the UK Ship Register from Principal Fishing Surveyor, we will forward your application details on to them if you have not yet spoken with them.
    • Registration fee £159

    The most recent bill of sale or a builder’s certificate is required to required to register a fishing vessel via simple registration. The document should show the applicant(s) are the owner(s) of the vessel.

    A “simple” registered fishing vessel cannot have a mortgage registered against the vessel.

    Once the above has 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, a Measurement Certificate and a ITC 69 (if the vessel is over 15m) will be required before the Certificate of Registry can be issued; inspection to be arranged with your local MCA Marine Office.

    Further guidance on fishing vessel requirements and inspections can be found on GOV.UK

    • Application to Register MSF 4740B
    • Declaration of Eligibility MSF 4728
    • Three years title history in the form of Bills of Sale to the new owner MSF 4705 
    • Builders Certificate (for vessels built within the last three years) MSF 4743 
    • Copy of Certificate of Incorporation (if the owner is a body corporate)
    • Registration Report or Comparison Report from a Fishing Vessel Certifying Authority or a Partial Declaration (MSF 1326) 
    • Acceptance on the UK Ship Register from Principal Fishing Surveyor, the above Registration Report or Comparison Report will be used to make any registration decision
    • Registration fee £159

    The most recent bill of sale or a builder’s certificate is required to register a fishing vessel via simple registration. The document should show the applicant(s) are the owner(s) of the vessel.

    A “simple” registered fishing vessel cannot have a mortgage registered against the vessel.

    Once the above has 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 to be arranged with your local MCA Marine Office.

    Further guidance on fishing vessel requirements and inspections can be found on GOV.UK

    • Application to Register MSF 4740B
    • Declaration of Eligibility MSF 4728
    • Bills of Sale to the new owner MSF 4705 
    • Builders Certificate (for vessels built within the last three years) MSF 4743 
    • Copy of Certificate of Incorporation (if the owner is a body corporate)
    • Acceptance on the UK Ship Register from Principal Fishing Surveyor, we will forward your application details on to them if you have not yet spoken with them. The vessel application will be assessed against flag in matrix
    • Class Certificate if the vessel is over 24 metres
    • Registration fee £159

    The most recent bill of sale or a builder’s certificate is required to register a fishing vessel via simple registration. The document should show the applicant(s) are the owner(s) of the vessel.

    A “simple” registered fishing vessel cannot have a mortgage registered against the vessel.

    Once the above has 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, a Measurement Certificate and a ITC 69 (if the vessel is over 15m) will be required before the Certificate of Registry can be issued; inspection to be arranged with your local MCA Marine Office.

    Further guidance on fishing vessel requirements and inspections can be found on GOV.UK

    • Application to Register MSF 4740B
    • Declaration of Eligibility MSF 4728
    • Bills of Sale to the new owner MSF 4705 
    • Builders Certificate (for vessels built within the last three years) MSF 4743 
    • Copy of Certificate of Incorporation (if the owner is a body corporate)
    • Acceptance on the UK Ship Register from Principal Fishing Surveyor, we will forward your application details on to them if you have not yet spoken with them. The vessel application will be assessed against flag in matrix
    • Class Certificate
    • Partial Declaration (MSF 1326)
    • Registration fee £159

    The most recent bill of sale or a builder’s certificate is required to register a fishing vessel via simple registration The document should show the applicant(s) are the owner(s) of the vessel.

    A “simple” registered fishing vessel cannot have a mortgage registered against the vessel.

    Once the above has 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 International Fishing Vessel Certificate following inspection will be required before the Certificate of Registry can be issued; inspection to be arranged with your local MCA Marine Office.

    Further guidance on fishing vessel requirements and inspections can be found on GOV.UK

  • Options for fishing vessel registration

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