Full registration with the British Register of Ships in Jersey
Full registration proves the title, ownership and nationality of a vessel worldwide. A mortgage may be entered on the register, which protects a lender’s interest.
Why register on the full register?
The benefits include:
- membership of the Red Ensign Group (REG)
- regulated by the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency
- linked with Jersey’s well-regulated offshore finance centre
- VAT-free temporary importation into EU for non-EU residents
- renewal every 10 years with no annual charge
- commercial coding recognition
- social security insurance exemptions
Download more information about the benefits of registration in Jersey
Is my vessel eligible?
Your vessel is eligible if:
- you or your company are part of the Commonwealth, EU, British Isles, Crown Dependencies or Overseas Terrritories
- your pleasure vessel is under 400 gross tons or commercial vessel under 150 gross tons
You do not need to be resident in Jersey.
Download guidance notes on registration procedures
Download French guidance notes on registration procedures
Download Italian guidance notes on registration procedures
How long is registration valid for?
The Certificate of Registry is valid for 10 years if ownership does not change during this period (other REG registries are valid for 5 years only).
Upon change of ownership the period commences again for another 10 years.
The registration number allocated is unique to the vessel and cannot be transferred to another craft.
Cost of registration
Download the costs of registration, renewal and other related charges
How do I register?
In order to register, you are required to complete and submit the following documentation to the British Register of Ships in Jersey:
- application form
- declaration of eligibility form
- title (ownership) documentation in the form of a Builder’s Certificate and / or Bill(s) of Sale covering at least the previous 5 years (or fewer years if a new build)
- proof of closure from any prior registry
- a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation if it is to be company owned
- a tonnage survey (obtainable from an authorised surveyor)
- commercial coding certificate if it is to be commercially registered (from MECAL Ltd)
- the prescribed fee
English forms:
Download application to register as an individual or joint (JR01)
Download application to register as a company (JR01A)
Download declaration of eligibility (JR05)
Download builder's certificate (JR03)
Download Bill of Sale (JR04)
Download list of surveyors (JR21)
French forms:
Download application to register as a company (JR01AFR)
Declaration of Eligibility (JR05FR)
Builder’s Certificate (JR03FR)
Bill of Sale (JR04FR)
Italian forms:
Download application to register as a company in Italian (JR01AIT)
Declaration of Eligibility (JR05IT)
Builder’s Certificate (JR03IT)
Bill of Sale (JR04IT)
How do I apply for provisional registration?
You should complete an application form with as much detail as possible, and return it to the Ships’ Registry with the prescribed fee. This is useful if you have not yet provided all the required documentation.
The Provisional Certificate will be valid for 3 months and gives the vessel full rights of passage.
The Provisional Certificate may be renewed upon request and payment of the prescribed fee.
Can I choose my vessel’s name?
You may apply for name approval on the application form. Your name has to be one which is unique to the port of Jersey and the Registrar has the right to approve or refuse.
An application for name approval will remain valid for 12 months, at which time you may apply to extend the approval.
You may apply to change a registered vessel’s name at any time by completing and returning the prescribed form and fee.
Notes on applying for the name of a ship (JR07)
Does a representative person have to be appointed?
If the applicant does not have a Jersey address, a representative person has to be appointed with whom the registrar can correspond under certain situations. However, the registrar will correspond with the owner directly under normal circumstances.
Appointment / change of representative person (JR08)
Download list of representative persons offering service for payment (size 51kb)
How long does it take to register?
Registration can be completed within 2 weeks and sometimes earlier if all of the documentation and tonnage survey is in order.
How do I renew my registration?
To renew your registration, please complete the application to renew form and return it to the Ships’ Registry with the prescribed fee and the Certificate of Registry for endorsement.
A renewal reminder will be sent to the owner by the registrar prior to expiry.
Application to renew registration (JR16)
How do I register a mortgage?
To register a mortgage over shares in the vessel, please complete an MCGA mortgage deed in association with the mortgagee and return it to the Ships’ Registry with the prescribed fee.
Mortgage forms on the MCGA website
How do I register and / or renew mortgage intent?
To register mortgage intent, please complete the MCGA intent deed and return it to the Ships’ Registry with the prescribed fee. The intent is valid for 1 month from registration, and may be renewed for 1 month at a time thereafter by paying the prescribed fee.
Mortgage intent form on MCGA website
How do I discharge a mortgage?
The original mortgage deed (generally held in safe-keeping by the mortgagee) must be endorsed and returned to the Ships’ Registry with the prescribed fee for discharge.