The Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Regulations 1993

Transfer of registration from relevant British possession U.K.

72.—(1)  [F1 Subject to paragraph (1A), where] a ship, excluding a fishing vessel, is registered in a relevant British possession, the registration of that ship may be transferred to Part I of the Register if:—

(a) an application to the registrar of the existing port of registration has been made for that purpose by a declaration in writing by all the persons appearing on his register to be interested in the ship as owners, and

(b) the following documents have been transmitted to the Registrar;

(i) a copy of the application and declaration required by sub-paragraph (a) transmitted by the registrar at the existing port of registration;

(ii) a copy transmitted by him of all the registered particulars of the ship and the names of all person appearing on his register to be interested in the ship as owners and mortgagees; and

(iii) the ship’s certificate of registry.

[F2 (1A) The registration of a ship may not be transferred to Part I of the Register if the Registrar is satisfied that the ship is a sanctioned ship.]

(2) On making an application to transfer to the Register the applicant shall specify one of the ports listed in part 1 of Schedule 2 which it is intended shall be the ship’s port of choice.

(3) Where the ship has not previously been required by the registrar of its existing port of registration to have its name approved by the Registrar in accordance with Schedule I the applicant shall propose a name which the ship is to be called.

(4) On being satisfied that the name complies with the requirements of Schedule I the Registrar shall issue a marking note.

(5) On receipt of a marking note the owner shall proceed as provided in regulation 54 (Re-marking of ship).

(6) On receipt of the documents specified in paragraph (1) and the completed marking note the Registrar shall:—

(a) enter in the Register all the particulars and names so transmitted, and

(b) issue a new certificate of registry.

(7) Where entitlement of a ship to be registered is by virtue of regulation 8 (British connection and majority interest) subject to any condition specified in that regulation being satisfied, the registration of the ship shall not be transferred to the Register of British ships in the United Kingdom unless it appears to the Registrar that that condition is satisfied.

(8) A transfer of registration under this regulation shall not affect the rights of any person mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) of this regulation.

(9) Notwithstanding that a ship is otherwise entitled to be registered, the Registrar may refuse to register if if, taking into account any requirement of the Merchant Shipping Acts (including any instrument made under them) relating to the condition of the ship or its equipment so far as it is relevant to its safety or to any risk of pollution or to the safety, health and welfare of persons employed or engaged in any capacity on board the ship, he consider that it would be inappropriate for the ship to be registered.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in reg. 72(1) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/509), regs. 1(3), 18(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F2 Reg. 72(1A) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/509), regs. 1(3), 18(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Commencement Information

I1 Reg. 72 in force at 21.3.1994, see reg. 1(1)