Small commercial vessel registrations, surveys and inspections

You must have small commercial boats surveyed to make sure that they comply with UK safety laws.

Any boat that’s not a pleasure vessel is considered to be a commercial boat.

Before going to sea, the boat must be tested on its:

  • safety
  • construction
  • control systems
  • onboard machinery
  • electrical equipment

Register a small commercial vessel

Contact the UK Ship Register (UKSR) for more information on registering small commercial vessels under 100 gross tonnes (GT).

UK Ship Register
Email: comm_registry@mcga.gov.uk
Telephone: 029 2044 8800
Find out about call charges

UK Ship Register
Anchor Court
Keen Road
Cardiff
CF24 5JW

Contact the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) if you want to register a commercial vessel over 100 GT.

Small commercial vessel surveys

Your boat will be surveyed to one of the following codes of practice:

  • the safety of small commercial motor vessels
  • the safety of small commercial sailing vessels
  • the safety of small workboats and pilot boats
  • the safety of small vessels in commercial use for sport or pleasure operating from a nominated departure point
  • small vessels in commercial use for sport or pleasure, workboats and pilot boats - alternative construction standards

Read more information on small craft codes.

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