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: [email protected]
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.