UK's guidance on maritime safety compliance: marking, identification, and record-keeping

UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency has issued a Marine Guidance Note - MGN 660 (M) regarding special measures to enhance maritime safety for merchant ships.

This MGN was published on 13 March 2024.

The document provides guidance on the Merchant Shipping (Special Measures to Enhance Maritime Safety) Regulations 2024, specifically on obtaining ship identification numbers and marking them on ships, as well as obtaining Company and Registered Owner identification numbers. ​ These numbers are required in accordance with regulations 3 and 3-1 respectively of Chapter XI-1 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS). ​

Regulation 3 of SOLAS Chapter XI-1 requires that all passenger ships of 100 GT and upwards and all cargo ships of 300 GT and upwards be permanently marked with an identification number provided by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). ​ This number is known as the "IMO number". ​ The IMO number must be inserted on relevant certificates, such as the ship's passenger ship safety certificate, cargo ship safety certificate, etc. ​

Operating a ship without an IMO number is a criminal offense. ​

Regulation 3-1 of SOLAS Chapter XI-1 requires the Company and registered owner of a ship to each be provided with an identification number. ​​ These identification numbers must be inserted in the ship's Document of Compliance, International Safety Management Certificate, and certificates issued in accordance with the International Code for the Security of Ships and of Port Facilities (ISPS Code). ​

Operating a ship without the Company and Registered Owner identification number is a criminal offense. ​

The ship identification number must be permanently marked on the ship in a visible and easily accessible place. ​ The marking must be raised lettering or cut in, painted in a contrasting color, and comply with specific height and width requirements depending on the location of the marking on the ship. ​

The IMO Unique Company and Registered Owner Identification Number Scheme assigns each company and registered owner a permanent identifying number. ​ This scheme is managed by S&P Global Market Intelligence. ​ The numbers can be obtained free of charge by looking up or requesting them through the S&P Global Market Intelligence website or contacting their office in the United Kingdom. ​

A Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR) must be maintained for passenger ships on international voyages and cargo ships of 500 gross tonnage and above on international voyages. ​ The CSR is a form of logbook that records all changes of owner, flag, name, Class, ISM Code requirements, etc. ​ The ship must keep its copy of the CSR on board even when it undergoes changes in ownership or flag. ​ Further guidance on the CSR can be found in MSF 5623A that can be accessed here.

All regulations can be found at legislation.gov.uk

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):

Special Measures to Enhance Maritime Safety for Merchant Ships