[F141.—(1) At least 3 months (but not more than 6 months) before the expiry of the registration period the Registrar shall issue to the owner of the ship a renewal notice.
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the owner of the ship may apply for renewal of registration at any time between the date of issue of the renewal notice and the date of expiry of the current registration period.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2) above, an application for renewal of registration may be made prior to the last 3 months of the current registration (or issue of a renewal notice), for issue of a certificate of registry commencing prior to the expiry of the current registration period. Where such a certificate is issued it shall not be valid for a period greater than 5 years commencing on the date of issue and the previous certificate shall then cease to be valid.]