Registering an 'unregistered' boat

[Cyclistbruce]

I bought a bit of a project boat, 26ft sailboat, a 1972 Grampian. I've done a lot of work on it to get it seaworthy etc including removing the original 1970s VHF radio and rewiring as well as lots of bodywork etc.

Anyway, I need to get it onto its summer mooring. I have the original registration documents from the 1970s but it doesn't look like the guy who sold it to be ever re-registered it. Its been sat unused for years. A quick search on itu.int shows it with a callsign and the original owners name.

Any idea how I go about trying to get it registered as also want to get MMSI etc sorted??

I have gone back to the guy who sold it on, but don't have a bill of sale and the registration isn't in his name anyway....

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Two things.

Put it in the SSR (registry part 3), you need a Uk address.

Contact Ofcom via their website (helpline also very good) and get a ships radio licence for a DSC radio, that will issue you the MMSI.

 

[smert]

Are you looking for a VHF licence? Just go to the OfCom website and do a fresh Ships Licence - you'll get your MMSI here.
Ofcom Licensing services

You'll still need a Short Range Certificate to actually use the VHF, or someone on board with one.

RYA VHF RADIO COURSE ONLINE - My Training Online

For boat registration look at Small Ships Register (Part 3) | UK Ship Register

 

[KevinV]

As above for the vhf licence.

Bear in mind that you don't need to register the boat itself unless you are taking it abroad

 

[Cyclistbruce]

I don't need to register the boat? I thought that was part of the process to get an MMSI. But thanks, that takes some of the pressure off....

 

[Sticky Fingers]

That’s right. The MMSI is issued by Ofcom, it’s free and very easy.

 

[Boathook]

You can possibly "claim" the original call sign on the ofcom site. As others said ofcom licence is free.

If you are only staying in UK waters there is no requirement for the SSR.

 

[mikefleetwood]

I went through both processes with my 1983 Moody.

A phone call to the SSR people provided a form to fill in and after a payment of £35 they emailed me a new SSR registration certificate with the original SSR number and my name. The only documentation needed was a copy of my Bill-of-sale. I didn't have copies of any previous BoS, and they didn't need them.

Similarly, a phone call to Offcom got me a new licence for the boat, with my details on it, valid for 5 years. I don't recall that I had to pay anything.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

I went through both processes with my 1983 Moody.

A phone call to the SSR people provided a form to fill in and after a payment of £35 they emailed me a new SSR registration certificate with the original SSR number and my name. The only documentation needed was a copy of my Bill-of-sale. I didn't have copies of any previous BoS, and they didn't need them.

Similarly, a phone call to Offcom got me a new licence for the boat, with my details on it, valid for 5 years. I don't recall that I had to pay anything.

Note: This Licence is valid only if the vessel and Licensee accord with the
details of the Licence and shall continue in force until the Licence is
surrendered by the Licensee or revoked by Ofcom.

No time limit on mine.

 

[mikefleetwood]

Note: This Licence is valid only if the vessel and Licensee accord with the
details of the Licence and shall continue in force until the Licence is
surrendered by the Licensee or revoked by Ofcom.

No time limit on mine.

Oops, sorry, it's the SSR that's valid for 5 years. No limit on the radio licence.

 

[andsarkit]

Oops, sorry, it's the SSR that's valid for 5 years. No limit on the radio licence.

You do need to check into the Ofcom online account every 10 years. I was not aware of this and nearly got caught out.

From Ofcom terms and conditions.

The 'lifetime' ship radio licence has no end date – it will remain valid for as long as the licence details remain correct, or until the licence is either revoked by Ofcom or surrendered by the licensee. Ofcom will revoke the licence if the licence is neither amended or validated at least once every ten years.