FISHING VESSEL REGISTRATION

Guidance
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GUIDANCE NOTES - FISHING VESSELS

Fishing vessels are subject to three areas of legislation. If you wish to operate a fishing vessel you are required to comply with each part:

1. Registration

The registration of a fishing vessel is dealt with by the Registry of British Ships at the Harbour Office. Opening hours are 09.00 am to 1.00 pm. At other times by prior appointment.

In order to comply with the law there are three main requirements

1. The vessel is used for fishing for profit. This means that all or part of the catch is occasionally or exclusively sold.
2. The vessel is owned legally and beneficially either by a British subject living in the Bailiwick of Guernsey or a Company registered in and having its principal place of business in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
3. The vessel is fishing from a port in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

Application will need to be made on the prescribed form and, subject to satisfactory completion, a 'GU' number will be allocated.

When the vessel has been marked in the prescribed manner an officer of the department will inspect the vessel and if necessary measure the vessel in accordance with the regulations.

When this has been completed satisfactorily a fishing vessel certificate will be issued and only then is the vessel registered to fish.

These requirements do not remove the need to register the vessel on the local port register with the Harbour Office.

2. Licensing

A fishing vessel licensing scheme for vessels fishing for profit will be introduced in the near future, when the relevant legislation is enacted in Guernsey.

Owners of vessels with a Fishing Vessel Licence entitlement card issued by the Department of Fisheries need take no further action.

Owners of vessels without the above are advised to obtain a licence or entitlement of sufficient capacity for their vessel that will allow the Sea Fisheries Committee to issue a licence when the UK legislation is extended to Guernsey.

If you have any doubts concerning your position you should contact Andrew Innes, Administrative Office, States Sea Fisheries Committee on telephone 235741.

3. Safety Regulations

'GU' registered vessels are required, by law, to have a current safety certificate. This should be kept on board the vessel. The Board of Administration presently has two surveyors who are authorised to undertake these surveys. They are:-

The amount of safety equipment and the complexity of the survey will be determined by the length of the vessel. Prospective fishing boat owners are advised to contact one of the above surveyors in order to understand more fully what will be required for their vessel.

In the event that the vessel is transferring from the UK and has a current UK certificate, this will need to be presented to the Harbour Office where a Guernsey certificate will be issued for the balance of the survey period.

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This page contains registry forms in PDF format. You can get PDF reader free at here

This note is not intended to be conclusive in the information given and any questions on registry matters should be sent to the following address

Registry of British Ships
P.O. Box 631
St Julian's Emplacement
St Peter Port
Guernsey
GY1 3DL
Channel Islands

Tel: 01481 720229
Fax: 01481 705824 / 714177
E-Mail: shipsregistry@gov.gg