To register a merchant vessel, you will first need to complete a form: Information Required for UK Merchant Ship Registration (MSF 5547). This will provide us with the necessary information to check if the ship and the owner are eligible for UK registration.

How to apply for a new registration of a merchant vessel

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

You will need to provide supporting documents and pay the appropriate fee. The Application to Register and Declaration of Eligibility forms are not required if submitting your application online.

Documents required

Documents required for merchant vessel (Part 1) registration are outlined below; 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 for merchant vessel (Part 1) registration, if not in English, must be accompanied by a notarised translation.

• Application to Register MSF 4740 (A) (not required if applying through the UK Ship Register online service)
• Declaration of Eligibility MSF 4727
• Bill of Sale from current registered owner to the new owner MSF 4705
• Builders Certificate (for new builds) MSF 4743
• Copy of Certificate of Incorporation (if the owner is a body corporate)
• UK Certificate of Survey for Tonnage and Measurement issued within the last 12 months
• International Tonnage Certificate (ITC69) (for vessels over 24 metres)
• British Tonnage Certificate and Survey (for vessels less than 24 metres)
• A copy of the valid Code Certificate or appropriate safety certificate (for vessels less than 24 metres)
• Deletion certificate/transcript from the current register or a written undertaking to provide 
  one within six weeks
• Copy of the ship’s Radio Licence with call sign, applications are made with Ofcom
• Copy of the ship’s current Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR) and completed CSR amendment form (for vessels over 500 GT if applicable)
• Civil Liability Certification (CLC), when you receive the P&I “Blue Cards”. You can apply for the Certificates on the UK Ship Register online service
• Safe Manning Document
• Online payment of £153 registration fee via GOV.UK through the secure payment link (for a five year period)

Once the documentation is received, a Carving and Marking Note will be issued which will need to be witnessed by a UK Recognised Organisation (RO). When completed it will need to be returned to uksr@mcga.gov.uk and the Certificate of Registry can then be issued.