Inspection of fishing vessels of less than 15m Length Overall
This guidance provides details on how to book an inspection, how to prepare your vessel and different inspection procedures.
Booking a fishing vessel inspection
Apply early to your local Marine Office. Your inspection can begin up to six months before your Fishing Vessel Certificate expires. Your local Marine Office can advise you of this date of expiry if you are unsure. Organise your inspection to limit the number of visits the inspector or surveyor must make. If your vessel is well prepared, then most inspections can be completed in one visit. Download MSF 5100 Application for Survey and Inspection of ships and fishing vessels.
You must ensure you comply with the conditions set out in MSF5100. Failure to comply with these conditions may mean that the MCA will not conduct the Inspection and a return visit will be required, which will be charged at £147 per hour.
Prepare for inspection
Preparing and presenting your vessel properly for inspection will save you both time and money. Forward planning and preparation could make the difference between success and failure. Read the following guidance to help ensure that your next inspection is a successful one. The MCA provides guidance for owners of fishing vessels on preparing for inspections. Download the MCA Fishing Vessels Survey and Inspection – Prepare for your next MCA visit.
For greater detail on how the MCA surveyor will conduct their inspection, read the MCA Instructions for the Guidance of Surveyors for Fishing Vessel Surveys and Inspections.
A FREE online safety folder has been developed by industry, which may save you time and money during your visit and avoid the need for a return visit, which is chargeable. It can help to record risk assessments, help you to comply with ILO188 regulation, keep track of crew training and certification, provides reminders of equipment certification and servicing and vessel maintenance.
Fishing vessel inspection requirements
Vessels up to 15 metres overall length
Commercial fishing vessels under 15 metres in length require inspections instead of surveys. If the vessel passes the inspection, it will be awarded the Small Fishing Vessel Certificate (SFVC) (MSF) 1316). Inspections are carried out by MCA surveyors or inspectors to make sure that fishing vessels which are less than 15 metres in length meet the requirements of The Code of Practice for the Safety of Small Fishing Vessels of less than 15m Length Overall. See MSIS 27 Chapter 1 for details of applicable charges.
To pass the inspection, your fishing vessel must meet a range of safety requirements and carry the following documents:
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a list of crew
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MSNs relevant to fishing vessels (these may be shown to be accessible through electronic means)
You can also find information in MSIS 27 Chapter 1 Annex 1 of the Under 15m LOA Fishing Vessel Inspection Regime Instructions for the Guidance of Inspectors on the MCA website All commercial fishing vessels need the appropriate Fishing Vessel Certificate before they can go to sea. To remain in force there must be an Annual Self Certification each year. Any modifications carried out without the approval of the MCA may also invalidate the Certificate. Download a survey/inspection checklist for fishing vessels of less than 15 metres - MSIS 27, Chapter 1, Annex 17.
During the inspection
The two main elements of a fishing vessel inspection are:
- an ‘out of water’ inspection
- an ‘afloat’ inspection, including stability checks
Out of water inspection
You can prepare your fishing vessel for an ‘out of water’ inspection by:
- pressure washing the hull
- carrying out ultra-sonic tests on the total hull area and any suspect areas on steel vessels
- removing and cleaning sea valves, - inlets and overboard
- checking draft marks
- checking propeller shaft clearances by lifting the shaft and using a clock gauge or feeler gauges
- checking the propeller hub condition and operation
- recording rudder pintle bearing clearances
- ensuring safe access for the surveyor to all areas of vessel
Afloat inspection
An afloat inspection will include (depending on vessel size and/or fishing method):
- an inclining, roll test, heel or offset load test.
- a stability assessment
- a lightship check
The Day of Inspection
On the day of the inspection, the inspector will require to see: i) UK Certificate of Registry, (if issued)
ii) All crew training records (Please ensure that you and your crew have done all courses and or registered for the course and confirmed date of attendance and complete attached document)
iii) Your ship’s radio license.
iv) Confirmation that you have completed a risk assessment specific to your vessel and fishing method.
v) Fishing Vessel Work agreement- if you have any crew/skipper working for you, to comply with ILO 188 requirements. (Guidance included below)
vi) If the vessel is due for an In Water inspection, a Stability test will be carried out. Please refer to MSN1871 Amendment 2. for the test that is applicable to your vessel and what you are required to do to ensure the test can be carried out. Failure to undertake the test will lead to a chargeable return visit. You should also conduct your own test prior to the inspection.
vii) The following forms can be used for your own Stability Test at any time.
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MSF1378 Roll Test Measurement Report and MSF1380 Offset Load Test Measurement Report (for single hulled vessels joining the Register after 6 September 2021 operating Category B or C Fishing methods)
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MSF1380 Offset Load Test Measurement Report (for multihulled vessels joining the Register after 6 September 2021 operating Category B or C fishing methods)
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MSF1378 Roll Test Measurement Report (for single hull vessels on the Register before 6 September 2021)
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MSF1382 Heel Test Measurement Report (for multi hulled vessels on the Register before 6 September 2021)
Note: The MCA surveyor will also conduct a Stability test when inspecting your vessel.
Please see below a list of relevant documents which can help you prepare for your inspection. In particular, please familiarise yourself with the Code as this will make the inspection easier for both you and the surveyor.
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The Code of Practice for the Safety of Small Fishing Vessels of less than 15m Length Overall
- All the requirements are listed under this document
- Ship’s radio license
- Should you require to register your radio please visit the OFCOM website radio licensing section
- This is a new licensing portal and existing users are advised to re-register as a new user by clicking Register as a new user link using their email address. After registering, users will be asked to set a new password. This will enable you to login to the portal and manage your license online. If you require further assistance please contact the Spectrum Licensing Team on 020 7981 3131 or via email at spectrum.licensing@ofcom.org.uk
- Risk assessment
- Please refer to various examples and documents on the SafetyFolder and Home and Dry websites when writing a risk assessment. Risk assessment folder also includes block accounting log for recording power inspections.
- How to prepare for MCA surveys and inspection
- Guidance documents with all other relevant information for preparation of inspection are available on the Fishing vessel survey guide for owners and operators page.
- Single Handed Fishing
- Please read the document Single handed fishing guide to develop your single handed risk assessment.
- Safety leaflets:
- Man Overboard Risk Review and MGN 571
- International Labour Organization’s Work in Fishing Convention (ILO188)
- MCA guidance on ILO 188 and links to Fishing Vessel Work Agreements can be found on the ILO work in fishing convention page.
- Stability guidance and MGNs:
- Guidance for stability of fishing vessels
- How to carry out roll and heel tests is explained in MGN 503 Amendment No.1 (F) Procedure for Carrying out Small Fishing Vessel Stability Tests
- Information to help fishermen make decisions regarding the operation of their vessel using the Wolfson Stability Guidance Method can be found on the MGN 526 Stability guidance for fishing vessels wolfson method page.
- Online guidance on vessel stability is available from Home and Dry
- Roll Test to be conducted on single hulled vessels. For details refer to Conducting Fishing Vessel Roll Test
- Offset Load Test is required to be conducted on a vessel when first joining the Register. For details refer to Conducting Fishing Vessel Offset Load Test
- Heel Test on multi hulled vessels.
- For details refer to the guidance on MSF1382 – Heel Test
- MGN 435- Maximum Continuous Engine Power.
- Maximum continuous engine power is the total power that can be obtained at the flywheel of each engine used to propel the vessel. MGN 435 Declaration of maximum continuous engine power
- MGN 570 Fishing Vessel Emergency Drills
- Guidance related to drills on fishing vessels can be found on the MGN 570 Amendment No. 1 (F): Fishing vessels: emergency drills page.
- Construction standards
- Details of the construction standards for new fishing vessels can be found on the MGN 628 M+F Construction and outfit standards for fishing vessels of less than 15m length overall page. Contact the MCA to receive a copy of the standards to which your vessel is built.
On board inspection
During an on board inspection of a fishing vessel, the surveyor will check areas such as the:
- wheelhouse
- wheelhouse top
- casing top
- shelter top
- accommodation
- main deck
- fish room
- engine room
- equipment tests
- vessel operations and drills
Except for remote winch stops, fishing gear is not tested during a Small Fishing Vessel Certificate inspection.
Fishing gear
Fishing gear is tested independently of Small Fishing Vessel certification under the regulations:
After the Inspection
If the surveyor isn’t satisfied with the Inspection, they will provide a list of defects and may return later to check that they have been resolved. If the Surveyor considered it necessary to conduct return visits, then these are chargeable at £147 per hour. See also MSIS 27 Chapter 1 Annex 1 of the Under 15m LOA Fishing Vessel Inspection Regime Instructions for the Guidance of Inspectors on the MCA website
The MCA surveyor may also decide to detain the vessel.
If the vessel passes the inspection, the MCA will issue the relevant fishing vessel certificate which covers a specific period.
Enforcement measures
If your vessel contravenes the relevant code or conditions for exemptions, you will face a fine or imprisonment if convicted.
Updates to this page
Last updated 6 April 2023 + show all updates
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Content update on details of applicable charges. Update to links on testing of Fishing gear.
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Edited The Day of Inspection section vii - forms listed can be used by owners to assess stability at any time, as well as by MCA Surveyor at inspection
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First published.