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Check that your boat is a pleasure craft

A pleasure craft is a boat (such as a yacht) used for sport or pleasure, where the owner does not receive any money for operating the boat or carrying passengers.

Privately owned boats

A boat is considered a pleasure craft if at the time of its journey it is on a free voyage or excursion and used by the following:

• owner of the boat
• owner’s family or friends

Company-owned boats

A boat is considered a pleasure craft if at the time of its journey it is on a free voyage or excursion and used by the following:

• employees of the company
• officers of the company
• immediate friends and family of employees/officers

A pleasure craft can also be owned on behalf of a members’ club as long as:

• the boat is used only by members of the club and their immediate families
• the boat is only used for sport or leisure purposes
• any fees are paid into club funds for the general use of the club
• no other payments are made by the users of the boat

What to do if your boat is not a pleasure craft

If you have any concerns or questions about whether your boat is a pleasure craft, please contact the Registry of Shipping and Seamen (RSS) for advice.

UK Ship Register - RSS
Anchor Court
Keen Road
Cardiff
CF24 5JW, UK

Telephone number: +44 (0)29 2044 8800
Fax number: +44 (0)29 2044 8820
Email Address: rss@mcga.gov.uk

If you would like to register your boat, read the guide to Registering your pleasure craft.

• Registering your pleasure craft

Types of registration

Pleasure craft can be registered on Part I or Part III of the register.

Part I is for when you need to register a mortgage against the boat or would like titled registration.

Part III is limited to craft under 24 metres and is for boats owned by individuals.

If you are not sure about what type of registration you need, read our guide to registering.

• Registering your pleasure craft

Choosing a name

Each boat has to have a unique name. When you apply to register, you will need a list of potential names in case your first choice is already taken. At the moment it is not possible to check availability online or over the telephone. Write a letter or send an email to the Registry of Shipping and Seaman (RSS) if you would like to check what's available.

Renewing your registration

Three months before your registration is due to expire, RSS will send a renewal notice to the address you registered with them. If you have not received your renewal notice in the post, please contact the RSS. They will send you an application which you will need to complete and return along with a fee of £49 for Part I or £25 in the case of Part III (SSR). A Certificate of Registry lasts for five years from the date of registration.

Closing a registration

If you would like to close your registration you will need to submit a request in writing signed by all the boat owners. You will also need to return your current Certificate of Registry.

Changes to the pleasure craft

When a registered boat undergoes any changes - such as an address change or a change to the engine details - RSS must be notified in writing. You must also send them any necessary forms, receipts and fees.

Changing ownership

If you would like to change the ownership of your pleasure craft you will need to submit the following.

For Part I registered pleasure craft:

• Declaration of Eligibility
• Title Document – Bill of Sale
• Builder’s Certificate
• fee of £80

For Part III (SSR) registered pleasure craft:

• application for the Small Ships Register
• fee of £25

You can also register online for Part III of the Register (SSR).

• Part III registration - UK Ships Opens new window

• Fees, forms and checklists for registering pleasure craft

Changing ownership of a shared vessel if a co-owner has died

Note that this applies only to Part I registration. If your boat is registered under Part III (SSR) you simply apply for change of ownership in the normal way.

If the shares of your boat are held jointly with other owners and one of them has died, you will need to send the RSS the following:

• original Death Certificate
• new Declaration of Eligibility
• old Certificate of Registry (to be returned to the UK Ship Register - RSS)

A new certificate will be sent to you without charge.

• Fees, forms and checklists for registering pleasure craft

Changing ownership of an inherited boat if the previous owner has died

Note that this applies only to Part I registration. If your boat is registered under Part III (SSR) you simply apply for change of ownership in the normal way.

If the shares of your boat are not held jointly and the previous owner has died, you will need a new bill of sale completed by the executers named on the probate or letters of administration. You will also need:

• Declaration of Eligibility
• Grant of Representation (probate, letters of administration, or for Scotland, a confirmation)
• old Certificate of Registry
• fee of £80

• Fees, forms and checklists for registering pleasure craft

Change of name or port

If you would like to change the name of your boat or the port of registration, you will need to submit the following.

Part I registered pleasure craft:

• Application for a Change of Name or Port of Choice
• fee of £37

Part III (SSR) registered pleasure craft: 

• application for the Small Ships Register
• fee of £25

You can also register the change online for Part III of the Register (SSR).

• Part III registration - UK Ships Opens new window

• Fees, forms and checklists for registering pleasure craft

Changing the engine details or the tonnage/dimensions

Note that this applies only to Part I registration. If your boat is registered under Part III (SSR) you do not need to do anything.

If the engine details change you will need to submit the original receipt or invoice for the new engine. If the receipt or invoice is not available you will need a letter from a surveyor who can confirm the engine details, along with the correct fee.

If the tonnage or dimensions have changed you will need to submit the original Certificate of Survey issued by an authorised surveyors/inspector of marks, along with the correct fee of £37. If there is more than one change to the vessel it will cost an additional £17.

• Fees, forms and checklists for registering pleasure craft