Small Ships Register - Check Your Listing

[Dulcinea East]

While preparing for our first channel hop I thought it would be a good idea to get fresh print-outs of all our papers. Good job I did. While our boat was registered with the SSR last year, and we've got the numbers to prove it, the new website https://ukshipregister.service.mcga.gov.uk/vessels was another matter. Firstly, it didn't have any record of the boat at all, so I had to "claim my vessel". After adding the SSR number it did find a record, mostly correct. Major problem, however, we're now listed as a Merchant Vessel not a yacht. Unfortunately, it doesn't let you make an amendment online, so email is required and it can take 10 days for them to process requests.

While it's great that this site Home Page | UK Ship Register is finally getting modernised, there would seem to be a good opportunity for joined up paperwork if they could also allow you to register/check your MMSI, beacons and VHF licences all from the same page. I checked the MARS ship station lookup page Ship Station List but that didn't have our EPIRB hex details, even though the UK site shows it is registered. It's a bit of a worry that something as fundamental as boat category is wrong or there are patchy records, that could mean that there are gaps in data being shared for search and rescue. Not ideal.

 

[greeny]

Just checked mine and I've completely disappeared from the records on SSR. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Bilgediver]

Quote I checked the MARS ship station lookup page Ship Station List but that didn't have our EPIRB hex details, even though the UK site shows it is registered. It's a bit of a worry that something as fundamental as boat category is wrong or there are patchy records, that could mean that there are gaps in data being shared for search and rescue. Not ideal.

End of quote



The EPIRB and other 406 equipment codes which are given at the time of registration of the devices are held in another data base and also include things like emergency contact names and contact details. Providing you have registered the devices then the system will link you to the vessel whose details were given at registration. No registration then things could take a little longer.

Don t forget some sailors do wander so PLB's and EPIRB bought in sunny Southampton may be triggered in the freezing South Atlantic. The signals have to be delivered to Falmouth which is our MRCC and so if unregistered this link cannot be made easily hence possible delays. The system is world wide and each country has its own MRCC and deals with its casualties regardless of the location.

Remember Tony Bullimore whose yacht capsized south of Australia. This was a typical example. Tony even had the presence of mind to turn his EPIRB on and off at regular intervals so indicating life on board.

Tony bullimore - 15 Aug 2024 - Yachting Monthly Magazine - Readly

Register Beacons Here..

Register a UK 406 MHz beacon

 

[neil_s]

Thanks for the heads-up! Successfully claimed my yacht today. I was a bit worried because I don't have an official Bill of Sale, but the MCA accepted my home prepared sale document/receipt

 

[Dulcinea East]

Happily I got a confirmation today that all the documents were accepted, BUT, it's still not on the correct register and still not showing MMSI number that is on the certificate from the old system. Am not going to pay £30 plus to amend their errors so pinged it back at them to resolve. The point of technology is to reduce costs and friction!

 

[Bobc]

Another shower of sh1t then.

Why am I not surprised?

 

[Sandy]

Another shower of sh1t then.

Why am I not surprised?

I've always had exhalent service from them, even manage to retain the old SSR number that was on the boat after registration had lapsed. Saved a few hours with a hot air gun and having to buy new numbers.

Still with 14 years of 'efficiency savings' I am sure there is just the cleaner and office cat left.

 

[Sandy]

Happily I got a confirmation today that all the documents were accepted, BUT, it's still not on the correct register and still not showing MMSI number that is on the certificate from the old system. Am not going to pay £30 plus to amend their errors so pinged it back at them to resolve. The point of technology is to reduce costs and friction!

Are you sure you mean MMSI number my certificate only has the SSR number?

 

[Dulcinea East]

Are you sure you mean MMSI number my certificate only has the SSR number?

The new system allows for recording of HIN, call sign and MMSI. The issue appears to be inconsistency between what should be the same database contents.

 

[Sandy]

The new system allows for recording of HIN, call sign and MMSI. The issue appears to be inconsistency between what should be the same database contents.

Interesting.

My understanding was that the MMSI and call sign was issued by OFCOM.

 

[srm]

Interesting.

My understanding was that the MMSI and call sign was issued by OFCOM.

Mine also, but my Part 1 certificate included the boat's call sign. It was probably already recorded when the boat was sold to me in 2009. I had to update the radio licence with the new kit and DSC radio added and got the MMSI then.

 

[Boathook]

MMSI and SSR are to different systems and government departments as far as I'm aware / know.
I just had to claim my boat even though the ssr has been in my name for the last 15 years.

As Sandy says MMSI is issued by of ofcom and ssr by mcga.
It's strange that the ofcom licence is free whilst the ssr has to be paid (£35) for and that they are all done on line.

 

[awol]

The SSR needs renewal every 5 years - is that your problem?

 

[Boathook]

Just renewed my SSR having claimed my vessel. The old one expired in October and the new starts then for 5 years. Printed the certificate out and it is A4 size. Need to play around with settings to see whether I can print it A6 ? size like the originals, otherwise ready for encapsulation.

 

[Sandy]

Just renewed my SSR having claimed my vessel. The old one expired in October and the new starts then for 5 years. Printed the certificate out and it is A4 size. Need to play around with settings to see whether I can print it A6 ? size like the originals, otherwise ready for encapsulation.

Some countries won't 'accept' an SSR that has been encapsulated as it is not seen as an 'original'.

I've been popping documents in 'polly pockets' and placed in a waterproof case.

 

[Boathook]

Some countries won't 'accept' an SSR that has been encapsulated as it is not seen as an 'original'.

I've been popping documents in 'polly pockets' and placed in a waterproof case.

The original in 1989 was encapsulated in a nice A6 ? size blue wallet. So far .... no one has asked to see any of the documents.
I'm slowly getting my head round google cloud storage and I starting to store boat documents there. Over the years a few original documents have been lost due to water damage, even those in so called waterproof cases so I'm left with poor copies.

 

[Lightwave395]

Couple of years ago I was 'fined' by the French Douanes when in Crouesty for not having the 'original' SSR certificate onboard - the small encapsulated one. I don't know their reaction now that doesn't exist unless I do myself...

 

[Dulcinea East]

Interesting.

My understanding was that the MMSI and call sign was issued by OFCOM.

They are issued by OFCOM and typically preprogrammed but your VHF licence needs to know about the vessel for fixed installs. There's a lot more data sharing these days and I don't think, in this instance, that's a bad thing. If someone is in difficulties I'd like Coastguard and RNLI to have all the information possible. Passports and driving licenses are connected after all. A one stop portal to register everything makes life easier and (should be) cheaper. But it's got to be right. Clearly it's a work in progress.

 

[Dulcinea East]

The original in 1989 was encapsulated in a nice A6 ? size blue wallet. So far .... no one has asked to see any of the documents.
I'm slowly getting my head round google cloud storage and I starting to store boat documents there. Over the years a few original documents have been lost due to water damage, even those in so called waterproof cases so I'm left with poor copies.

We have both a folder with the plastic sheets for "Ships Papers" plus a shared OneDrive account that first mate and I both have access to. Included are scans of passports and driving licences. After getting passport stolen (twice) in Spain, it makes life much easier. It feels like prepping for a military expedition at times.....

 

[Dulcinea East]

The SSR needs renewal every 5 years - is that your problem?

Nope, it was a new to us boat last year and correctly processed (print out shows correct details). However their new system has put us into the Merchant Shipping register not SSR, to change online would cost ££. Which, as it's not my mistake, I have no intention of paying. So I am really suggesting everyone needs to check that they are correctly registered, claim their boat on the new platform, and provide feedback if things are wrong, particularly if the error is theirs. Fundamentally, the new site is much better, but the "beta test" phase looks buggy.