SSR Markings

[SydneyTim]

Just putting the markings on the new boat to comply with SSR, it doesn't appear to be a requirement, but is it good practice to put a hailing port on given we will be heading to all sorts of countries where they do require a hailing port in the markings.

Follow up question, if so, is there a list anywhere of the hailing ports for the UK?

 

[BrendanS]

if you want a port name, better to go for Part 1. No reason for port name with SSR unless you wish to confusicate officials

 

[Sgeir]

I know that it's all a bit pointless, but don't some maritime jurisdictions insist on the concept of the port of registration, even although it is meaningless in the case of SSR?

 

[BrendanS]

put port on stern ,and never worry again?

 

[Sgeir]

Ahem, we don't even have the name on ours, except on the dodgers. Makes it handy to rename it if you're seen doing something daft.

I was thinking of having another set of spare dodgers with the name MacHurley on them.

 

[tcm]

fab!

Yes, praps also try some Machurley t-shirts and see if you can get some free chandlery on tick?

However, I tried this with a t-shirt saying "Sgeir" but they told me to Sget Slost.

 

[boatmike]

I don't believe so. The port of registration in fact for SSR is Cardiff in all cases anyway! The practice of putting "Southampton", "Portsmouth" or even "Chipping Norton"(which I saw once!) on the transom is not a requirement and totally at the owners whim. If you have Part 1 registration it will state a port of registration but this is not necessarily the same as where the boat is kept anyway. It's not a legal requirement to put anything at all for small craft under SSR.

 

[AliM]

We were asked in the Netherlands for our port of registration - the coastguard who was checking us said we should have it painted on the stern. We said that it was not necessary in the UK, and he accepted that.

We'll probably paint one on before going over there again. I also read somewhere that we should have the VHF call sign visible, but no one has asked us for that.

 

[david36]

This question has come up before ( my fault) and the wisdom of the RYA, SSR Registry and all the great and the good of this forum was that although there is no appropriate port to use for this purpose if you have SSR type registration, to keep various port authorities happy, especially in the third world, put "Cardiff". That is where the SSR computer "lives", it says so on the back of your ticket and so satisfies jobsworths all round the world. Having said that, if you feel strongly about it put anywhere that you want and argue with any little man/woman who pushes the point. I have decided not to put anything other than the SSR number on the boat but fill in Cardiff in any appropriate form. It has worked for the last four plus years.

 

[Sgeir]

\"I am MacHurley\"...

[ QUOTE ]
It's not a legal requirement to put anything at all for small craft under SSR.

[/ QUOTE ]I agree, which was the point I was attempting to make ie "even although it is meaningless in the case of SSR". However my query related to other jurisdictions which AliM and David36 have picked up. Sorry if my query was not clear.

Anyway, if I wanted to masquerade as MacHurley, aside from the dodgers, what other steps should I take?

 

[Twister_Ken]

Re: \"I am MacHurley\"...

If I mark my noble vessel 'Cardiff' will folks in foreign climes offer me the company of their first born sheep?

 

[tcm]

He *Is* MacHurley

nope, nothing needed really if the dogers were changed - as long as you can keep up that accent he does - then you will look and sound just the same...

 

[michael_w]

For our Atlantic circuit with our SSR boat I put "London" on the stern. It's where SWMBO and I live, and has the advantage of being known the world over with no spelling problems.

Try translating "Little Piddleton-on-Sea" into Serbo-Croat.

 

[cnh]

A Latvian Border Guard who was checking me in insisted that I must have a 'Home Port'. I said no - and this was a mistake. She tried reading the small print on the SSR document: 'The Secretary of State for England and Wales ..' then gave up. Eventually I suggested London, and she was happy with that.

Nicholas Hill

Baltic and Channel Guide

 

[boatmike]

Re: \"I am MacHurley\"...

I wasn't actually disagreeing with you. There probably are pillocks all over who want you to state port of registration and happy with whatever you say but it's not a legal requirement. I have actually put "Portsmouth" on my bum end just in case
Bloody silly though cos I am not registered in Portsmouth. I think the problem arises in countries that don't have the short SSR form of registration, only the equivalent to full registration and don't understand it. Like the French customs officer who had a spot on his form for gross tonnage and asked me what it was. Try working that out for a sailing catamaran. I just did a Gallic shrug.....That he understood!

 

[Guest]

[ QUOTE ]
This question has come up before ( my fault) and the wisdom of the RYA, SSR Registry and all the great and the good of this forum was that although there is no appropriate port to use for this purpose if you have SSR type registration, to keep various port authorities happy, especially in the third world, put "Cardiff". That is where the SSR computer "lives", it says so on the back of your ticket and so satisfies jobsworths all round the world. Having said that, if you feel strongly about it put anywhere that you want and argue with any little man/woman who pushes the point. I have decided not to put anything other than the SSR number on the boat but fill in Cardiff in any appropriate form. It has worked for the last four plus years.

[/ QUOTE ]

I can see the point of saying th PC that has SSR details on is Cardiff ... but fail to understand how it can be said that your Port of Registry would then be Cardiff if you wanted to put on back end of boat ...
Saying that means that all Ships registered UK flag would then have to have London on stern ... instead of Douglas IoM, Southampton, Liverpool etc. etc. We can even go further and add to those examples ... all Bahamas, Cayman Islands, BVI registered ships etc.
Because SSR actually doesn't have any port registered ... you can paint on any that is suitable really ...

Having had previous owners GCC (Gosport) on back-end of boat for many years ... I am finally going to remove it and change to Hayling Island ... to satisfy the Latvian Authorities.

/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[SydneyTim]

Thanks for all the feed back folks, to summarise it seems that legally I don't need to, but to avoid hassle in Latvia I do, and most places between Legal and Latvia I need something to write on the form!

 

[Lizzie_B]

Should you ever cruise in the USA - it smooths the way to have some town name painted on your stern.
The Coast Guard generally know the rules - the Coast Guard reserve (usually out at weekends) can have pretty variable knowledge.
But the State Police and local Sheriff - that's another matter, and will demand to know your 'Hailing Port' as they call it - and view you with deep suspicion if it is not painted on your stern!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif