Tonnage Measurement Procedure and Survey

Registration on Part 1 of the British registry entitles you to the following benefits:

• Enables you to prove title to your vessel.
• Allows you to register a marine mortgage.
• Provides internationally acceptable documentation to ease passage to foreign countries.
• Entitles you to protection from the Royal Navy and the service of British Councils (UK registered vessels).
• Can enhance the the re-sale value of your vessel.
• Provides proof of date of build in respect of the EEA Recreational Craft Directive(RCD).
• Ensures your vessels name is unique on Part 1.

BMS surveyors can measure for registration  through the RYA, I.I.M.S. & YDSA for:

• The Registry of Shipping and Seaman (UK Flag).
• Isle of Man Registry.
• British Virgin Isles Registry.
• Cayman Islands Registry.
• Gibraltar Registry.
• Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey) Registry.
• By arrangement for the Irish Registry (under 15m).
• St Martin.
• Anquilla.

Please contact us for further details.

Part 1 Registration Procedure:

1. Owners responsibilities.

a) To apply to the MCA/Registry of Seamen and Shipping in Cardiff for the following documentation:

i) Application to register a British ship (Form MSF4 740).
ii) Declaration of Eligibility (Form MSF 4727 9/02).
iii) He /she should also check the availability of the chosen name of the vessel.
iv) Appoint a qualified surveyor to carry out the tonnage measurement.

b) On receipt and completion of the two forms (MSF4740 & 4727), the owner should return these to the RSS along with the applicable fee. Proof of ownership will also be required. This will be the as bill of sale (two concurrent bills if the vessel has had two or more previous owners) or the sales invoice and builders certificate if the vessel is new.

c) He/she should also pay the surveyor on instruction. Note that this payment forms two parts, the surveyors’ fee and the IIMS administration fee.

2. Surveyors responsibilities.

i) To attend the vessel and complete the Tonnage Measurement form.
ii) To submit the tonnage form to the IIMS, along with the applicable fee (If not paid direct to the IIMS by the client).
iii) To advise the client that the survey and paperwork has been completed.

3. IIMS responsibilities.

i) To check tonnage certificate, take copy and to forward the original to the RSS ASAP.

Paperwork Chase

The RSS can have a backlog of several weeks, so it is worth noting that the certificate will not arrive over-night.

Conclusion

Providing the surveyor has posted the tonnage certificate to the IIMS and the IIMS have sent the certificate to the RSS, the surveyor falls out of the loop. The responsibility lies with the owner to monitor and /or chase the paperwork process by speaking to the RSS (Or flag state office) direct.