There are four forms of registration open to vessels who wish to fly the Red Ensign.  These demonstrate the nationality of your vessel when sailing in foreign waters. There is no requirement for registration of any kind if the vessel is kept in UK territorial waters. These registers are known as:

> Part One (Full UK registration)

> Part Two (Register for fishing vessels)

> Part Three (Small Ships Register)

> Part Four (Vessels owned by foreign persons or businesses )

Part One (full UK registration) is open to all vessels from a small private sailing boat to a container ship. It costs £153.00 and requires renewal every five years at a cost of £72. This is expensive because the vessel needs to be measured by a registered tonnage measurer such as Medusa Marine. It is the only register for pleasure vessels that carries proof of ownership so it is often necessary is the vessel is to be financed by a marine mortgage. It will be necessary to prove title to the vessel for at least the past five years. For full details and to apply for registration see here

Part Two (Register for fishing vessels) is for if you’re using your boat to catch and sell fish. You can choose from ‘simple’ or ‘full’ registration. Full registration will usually be necessary if you want to get a marine mortgage to purchase your boat. To register for 5 years it costs £159 for simple registration and £196 for full registration

Part Three (Small Ships Register) was created in 1982 to make registration easier and cheaper to obtain for small vessels of less than 24 metres. It costs £25.00 and is renewable every 5 years at the same cost. There is no need to prove ownership so there is also no proof of ownership if you hold one for your vessel. Its primary purpose is as a register of the person responsible for the proper operation of the vessel and also for any costs or fees that the vessel may be liable for. To apply for SSR registration click here

Part Four  (Vessels owned by foreign persons or businesses ) is a register that allows vessels  owned and registered outside the UK to be used for charter in the UK and able to fly the red ensign for the duration of the charter.  When the charter duration is completed the vessel will return to its primary register.