The Answers
New
boats
I’m
about to have a new fishing boat built. Will it need Seafish certification?
Any
new boat up to 24m registered length will require Seafish certification
if it is to be registered as commercial fishing vessel.
How
do I apply for a new fishing vessel to be certified by Seafish?
To apply
for a new vessel to be certified by Seafish, you or the builder should
fill in an Application for Survey and Certification (form
1) and submit it to us. By return, the applicant will receive
a letter confirming the cost of the certification process.
I’m
having a new fishing boat built for me. Do I pay for Seafish certification
or does the builder?
Either
you or the builder can pay for the certification of a new fishing
vessel. You should agree who is to pay with the builder and an application
should be submitted to us prior to building.
What
is checked by Seafish during the survey of a new fishing vessel?
During
the survey of a new fishing vessel, the boat will be inspected to
make sure it complies with the Seafish Construction Standards. If
the boat is under 7m in length overall, we will only check the hull
structure. If it is 7m in length or over, we will check the hull structure
and the outfit (including aspects of pumping, piping, machinery, structural
fire protection, handrails, etc).
How
can I check that my boat meets the Seafish Construction Standards?
The
Seafish Construction Standards can be viewed on this site. They should
be read in conjunction with any current Seafish Information Notes
(SFINs) which detail amendments to the Standards. There is also an
outfit guidance document for under 15m vessels which may be used as
an aid to check that outfit complies with the Standards.
I’ve
bought a new boat but it doesn’t have Seafish certification.
Can I still register the boat as a commercial fishing vessel?
If a
boat was built after 15th July 2007 and it does not have Seafish certification
then we cannot inspect the vessel for either certification or registration
purposes. In such a case, we would advise you to contact the RSS or
MCA to find out where you stand.
I
am having a new fishing boat built and would also like it to be coded
for other work, such as carrying passengers. Can Seafish help with
this type of certification?
As well
as certifying fishing vessels to our standards, we can also certify
boats to the codes of practice listed below. If you would like your
boat to be certified to one of these codes then simply indicate so
in the relevant section of the application form.
(i)
the safety of small commercial motor vessels (yellow code)
(ii) the safety of small workboats and pilot boats (brown code)
(iii) the safety of small vessels in commercial use for sport or pleasure
operating from a nominated departure point (NPD) (red code)
Existing/old
boats
I’m
buying a second hand boat. How do I know if it has been certified
by Seafish?
If a
boat has been certified by Seafish then the Registry of Shipping and
Seamen (RSS) should have a copy of the Certificate of Construction,
so we would recommend you check with them first before buying a second
hand boat. We also keep copies of certificates on file.
I’ve
bought a second hand boat but it doesn’t have Seafish certification.
Can I still register the boat as a commercial fishing vessel?
If you’ve
bought a second hand boat, you should contact the RSS to find out
if the boat can be registered. They may ask for a Registration Inspection
to be performed. If this is the case, you should fill in an Application
for Inspection (form
27) and submit it to us. However, please note that not all boats
are eligible for the inspection.
What
is a Registration Inspection?
The
term ‘Registration Inspection’ relates to a particular
service offered by Seafish to owners of boats who have been told by
the RSS that a registration inspection is required before it can be
registered as a fishing vessel. If you request the inspection, and
the boat is eligible for the inspection, a surveyor will inspect the
boat and record details of construction. For vessels under 7m length
overall, only details of the hull structure are relevant. For vessels
of 7m length overall and greater, both hull and outfit will be inspected.
The surveyor will then take the details away and produce a report
which will describe the condition of the vessel and highlight areas
where the boat does not meet the Seafish Construction Standards. Copies
of the report will be sent to the owner and the MCA. The MCA with
then decide whether or not the boat can be registered as a commercial
fishing vessel.
What
types of boat are eligible for a Registration Inspection?
Only
boats built before 16th July 2007, and boats that have been de-registered
for a period of six months or more, will be considered for a Registration
Inspection by us. Further details can be found on the application
cover note.
How
much does a Registration Inspection cost?
You
can call our administrator for an estimate of what a Registration
Inspection will cost. Once we receive your application, and if we
decide the inspection can proceed, we will send you a letter confirming
the cost. At this point, you are still free to withdraw the application
if you wish - the inspection will only take place after payment has
been made.
I’ve
received a Registration Inspection report but no-one has contacted
me since. What should I do?
When
you receive a registration inspection report from us, the MCA receives
a copy too. They will examine the report to determine what course
of action should be taken. They will then contact you to inform you
of their decision. If you have not heard from the MCA after ten working
days from receiving the report you should contact the principal MCA
surveyor for your area.
General
Are
there any guidance documents that might help me perform a risk assessment
of my fishing boat?
There
are guidance documents available on our website that may help you
to perform a risk assessment of your fishing vessel. These can be
found in the ‘Fishermen’ section of the website.
Is
Seafish part of the MCA?
Seafish
is a certifying authority independent of the MCA. Our survey team
is responsible for inspecting vessels, providing certification and
issuing inspection reports. Decisions relating to the registration
of a fishing vessel are made by the MCA.
Where
can I find a copy of the Seafish Construction Standards?
The
Seafish Construction Standards are available
on this website for viewing. There are also a number of Seafish Information
Notes (SFINs) which detail various amendments to the Standards.
