Maritime Coastguard Agency
1. Introduction / Background
The following legislation provides the legal requirements for the measurement of a ships tonnage for registration purposes:
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The Merchant Shipping Act 1995:
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The Merchant Shipping (Tonnage) Regulations 1997 (SI 1997 No. 1510):
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The Merchant Shipping (Fishing Vessels Tonnage) Regulations 1988 (SI 1988 No.1909) (Apply to fishing vessels under 24 m length).
The legislation also requires that the person undertaking tonnage measurements satisfies the requirements set out by the MCA.
Recognised Organisations (ROs) are those organisations the UK has recognised to comply with its international obligations in relation to the International Maritime Organisations (IMO) Code for Recognised Organisations.
Small commercial vessel (SCV) Certifying Authorities (CAs) are those organisations the UK has authorised to examine and certificate SCVs in accordance with the requirements of the following legislation:
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The Merchant Shipping (Small Workboats and Pilot Boats) Regulations 2023(SI 2023 No.1216 as amended); and
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The Merchant Shipping (Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure) Regulations 1998 (SI 1998 No. 2771 as amended).
Fishing Vessel Certifying Authorities (FVCAs) are those organisations the UK has authorised to examine and certificate small fishing vessels in accordance with the applicable requirements of the following legislation and codes:
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The Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Regulations 1993
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MSN 1871 as maybe amended, (The Code of Practice for the Safety of Small Fishing Vessels of less than 15m Length Overall);
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MSN 1872 as maybe amended, (The Code of Safe Working Practice for the Construction and Use of Fishing Vessels of 15m Length Overall to less than 24m Registered Length)
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MGN 630 - FISHING VESSELS: Pre-Registration surveys for Fishing vessels of less than 15m Length Overall built before 16 July 2007 and existing vessels of 15m Length overall to less than 24m Registered Length wishing to join the UK Register
ROs are authorised to undertake tonnage measurement of all UK ships.
SCV CAs are authorised to undertake tonnage measurement of ships under 24 metres in length excluding fishing vessels. SCV CAs are also authorised to undertake tonnage measurement of pre-ITC69 vessels (keel laid before 21st July 1968) of less than 150 tons but 24m in length or over.
FVCAs can be authorised to undertake tonnage measurement of fishing vessels under 24 metres in length.
2. Authorised Organisations to measure tonnage by Vessel Type and Length
All UK Ships of 24m in length and above | All UK ships under 24m in length excluding fishing vessels | Fishing vessels under 24m in length | |
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ABS | X | X | X |
BV | X | X | X |
Class NK | X * | X | |
DNV | X | X | X |
LR | X | X | X |
RINA | X | X | X |
BCTQ | X | ||
IIMS | X | ||
MECAL | X | X | |
RYA | X | ||
SCMS | X | X | |
YDSA | X |
*Note: Class NK is not authorised for Tonnage Measurements of Fishing Vessels
3. List of Tonnage Authorities
The following is a list of the offices of Recognised Organisations and Certifying Authorities authorised by the MCA as Tonnage Authorities through formal agreement to undertake tonnage measurement of UK ships:
Recognised Organisations (ROs)
American Bureau of Shipping Europe Ltd
Eagle House
10 Berrymoor Court
Northumberland Business Park
Cramlington
NE23 7RZ
Tel: +44 (0) 19 1250 4900
Email: absnewcastleontyne@eagle.org
Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore
Suite 1 & 2
Keel House
Tyne Dock
South Shields
Tyne and Wear
NE34 9PY
Tel: +44