Tonnage Surveys

If you need a Tonnage Survey for UK registration, we are fully IIMS-trained and MCA-approved to carry out tonnage measurements for vessels under 24 metres.

MCA-Approved Surveys

We are fully trained by the IIMS and approved by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) to undertake Tonnage Surveys on vessels up to 24 metres in length for British Registration.

We will handle:

The Application for Tonnage Measurement

The Certificate of Tonnage

All required on-site tonnage measurements

Once the survey is complete, we submit the paperwork to the IIMS for approval.

After approval, your Tonnage Certificate is lodged directly with the UK Ship Registry in Cardiff, enabling you to proceed with your Part 1 British Registration online.

Why register under Part 1 of the UK Ship Register?

Registering your vessel under Part 1 of the UK Ship Register offers several benefits:

Legal proof of ownership

Nationality of your vessel

Ability to use your boat as security for a marine mortgage

Access transcripts of registry

Many finance companies also require a tonnage survey alongside a pre-purchase survey.

To register, the vessel owner must be a British citizen, complete a Declaration of Eligibility, and provide proof of ownership with the application.

Red Ensign Group States

In addition to UK registration, we are also approved to conduct Tonnage Surveys for the following Red Ensign Flag States:

Jersey – Vessels under 24m

Guernsey – Vessels under 24m

Isle of Man – Vessels under 24m LOA

British Virgin Islands (BVI) – Vessels under 24m load line length

Cayman Islands – Vessels under 24m load line length

Gibraltar – Vessels under 24m

Part 1 Registration Procedure

Owner's Responsibilities

If you wish to register your vessel under Part I British Registration, the following steps must be completed:

Complete the required forms:
- MSF 4740 – Application to register a British ship
- MSF 4727 – Declaration of Eligibility
Check the availability of your chosen vessel name with the UK Ship Registry.
Appoint a qualified surveyor (such as ourselves) to carry out the tonnage measurement.
Once the forms are completed:
- Submit them to the Registry of Shipping and Seamen (RSS) in Cardiff.
- Include the appropriate fee.
- Provide proof of ownership, such as:
  - A bill of sale (or two if the vessel has changed hands more than once), or
  - A builder’s certificate and invoice if the vessel is new.
Pay the surveyor directly for:
- The surveyor's fee
- The IIMS administration fee

Full application details via: UK Ship Register

Part 1 Registration Procedure (Cont.)

Surveyor’s Responsibilities:

Attend the vessel and carry out the tonnage measurement
Complete the official Tonnage Measurement form
Submit the completed form to the IIMS, along with the applicable fee (if not already paid directly by the client).
Notify the client once the survey and paperwork are complete

IIMS Responsibilities:

Review and verify the completed Tonnage Certificate
Keep a copy for records
Forward the original certificate to the UK Registry of Shipping and Seamen (RSS) as soon as possible

(The RSS may have a backlog of several weeks, so the certificate won’t arrive overnight).

What happens after the tonnage certificate is submitted?

Once the surveyor has submitted the tonnage certificate to the IIMS, and the IIMS has forwarded it to the RSS, the surveyor is no longer involved in the process.

It is the owner's responsibility to monitor and, if necessary, follow up on the progress directly with the RSS or the relevant flag state office.

What if I have questions about my report?

Once you've received and reviewed your report (usually within 12–24 hours), we are happy to discuss any concerns in detail by phone—at no extra charge.

Our priority is to ensure you fully understand the findings and feel confident in your next steps.

Sharp Marine Surveys