Registration & Coding

Registration

For a UK Citizen, registering your private yacht is not compulsory if the yacht is based in the UK however it is a requirement if you wish to travel abroad.

 

There are two types of registration for UK flagged vessels. The most simple and economical way of registering your yacht, if under 24 metres is on the part III register commonly known as the Small ships register or SSR. This registration can be done online directly, with the MCA. Online Registration

 

The other type of registration is known as Part 1 registration, this is a more formal registration which enables you to prove title of your yacht and obtain financing. With this type of registration you will require the ships documents including; bill of sale, builders certificate all the information can be found here. You will also require a tonnage survey.

 

At Bodrum Marine Services we have surveyors authorised to carry out Tonnage Surveys for the MCA for vessels under 24 metres as required for Part 1 registration. We can either work through one of the MCA approved certifying authorities that you have chosen or BMS can carry out the tonnage application on your behalf.

 

Coding

If you have a UK flagged yacht which is being operated commercially (chartered) you are required to comply with the MCA Code of Practice - The Safety of Small Commercial Sailing Vessels.

 

At BMS we have surveyors authorised to carry out compliance surveys on yachts under 24 metres for the MCA Code of Practice The Safety of Small Commercial Sailing Vessels as required on all UK flagged commercial yachts. We are authorised to work through a number of the MCA appointed certifying authorities please contact us for our recommendations.

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.

Recreational Craft Directive

The Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) is a directive based on the new and global approach for common trading practices across Europe. The directive sets essential requirements for the design and construction of ‘Recreational craft’ which it defines as ;

 

“any craft intended for sport or leisure purposes, regardless of the type or the means of propulsion, with a hull length of 2.5m to 24m, measured according to the appropriate harmonized standards.”

 

Since 16 June 1998 all recreational craft with few exceptions, between 2.5 metres and 24 metres in length, imported into the EEA for the first time, and home-built boats if placed on the market within five years of completion, must comply with the essential requirements of the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) and must be CE marked to certify this compliance.

 

This has been achieved by establishing a collection of Essential Safety Requirements which each manufacturer must address. These Essential Safety Requirements will, for new craft, replace National Schemes. The builder, his agent or the person importing the boat is responsible for such compliance and marking.

 

The Recreational Craft Directive introduces several new requirements which the manufacturer must address including structural strength, stability and buoyancy.

 

The Recreational Craft Directive is enforced by the Trading Standards Office. The manufacturer must demonstrate ‘due diligence’ in declaring that his craft meet the Directive. Failure to comply can result in penalties which include 3 months imprisonment and/or fines of up to £5,000.

 

Application

The European Economic Area (EEA) includes all EU countries plus Iceland and Norway.

 

Put into service means the first use by the end user but does not include boats temporarily put into service for reasons of tourism or transit.

 

1. Placing on the market means the first making available against payment or free of charge.

 

2. Boats that will need to comply with the Directive and be CE marked include:-

• Boats built outside the EEA which were not put into service in the EEA prior to 16 June 1998.
• Boats built for own use if subsequently placed on the EEA market during a period of five years of completion.
• 3. Boats that do not need to comply with the Directive include:-
• Boats completed or put into service in the EEA (and territories*) prior to 16 June 1998.

• Boats built in the EEA prior to 16 June 1998 even if exported and subsequently re-imported after 16 June 1998.
• Boats built for own use provided they are not subsequently placed on the EEA market during a period of five years.
• Boats intended for racing and labelled as such by the manufacturer, his agent or the importer.
• Canoes kayaks, gondolas, pedalos, sailing surfboards, powered surfboards and personal watercraft.
• Boats designed before 1950, built predominantly of the original materials and labelled as such by the manufacturer, his agent or the importer.
• All boats entering the EEA for reasons of tourism or one in transit.

Should you be in any doubt whatsoever about whether or not your boat needs to comply then contact us.

 

Please consider this carefully as should your boat need to comply and you fail to ensure this you may be subject to three months imprisonment and/or £5,000 fine.

 

Bodrum Marine Services can prepare Technical Files, Owners Manuals, and documentation to demonstrate compliance with the Essential Safety Requirements of the Recreational Craft Directive. For more details on the EEA Recreational Craft Directive, MCA or National, European and International Standards concerning the construction of recreational craft, contact us.

MCA Code of Practice

All UK flagges vessels in commercial use, up to 24 metres load line length, which go to sea and carry no more than 12 passengers and/or cargo, are required by law to comply with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Small Commercial Vessel and Pilot Boat Code of Practice and be issued with Certificates by an authorised Certifying Authority. The Code covers:

 

• Sailing charter vessels, both skippered and bareboat
• Motor charter vessels including angling and dive boats
• Motor vessels carrying up to 12 passengers
• RIBs operating commercially
• Workboats
• Pilot boats

http://www.ybdsa.co.uk/certification.htm

 

BMS Surveyors are accreditted by the IIMS, YDSA, MECAL and RYA MCA Certifiing authorities to undertake MCA Small Code Vessel surveys.

Cook Islands Registration

Bodrum Marine Services are deputy registrars for the Cook Islands and also flag state approved surveyors. Therefore we can offer, apart from registration, the following services;

 

Condition Reports, prior to purchase.

• Valuation Reports for finance or insurance.
• Damage Reports and insurance claim assistance.
• Machinery Inspections and Performance Trials.
• Measurement and Tonnage Surveys.
• Registration, Private or Commercial Yacht Class.
• MCA type charter certification for under 24 metres length.
• MCA type Large Yacht (LY2) type charter certification for vessels over 24 metres length.
• Radio call sign and MMSI numbers issued.
• Safety Certificates issued.
• IMO registered vessel numbers issued.
• MARPOL Certificates issued.
• Medical Fitness Certificates issued.
• Crew Endorsements issued.