Maritime guidance

​Jersey ship registry technical advisory notice

Port refusal for conduct of boat drills Jersey explanatory notes

Port and terminal refusal of requests to conduct boat drills

Drills declined form

About maritime g​uidance

Jersey maritime legislation follows best international standards and is very similar to the United Kingdom’s legislation. ​You should follow guidance given by the United Kingdom’s Maritime and Coastguard agency (MCA).

If you need it, Jersey also offers its own specific advice.

The main guidance for Jersey vessels is listed below.

SOLAS Chapter V

The application of SOLAS Chapter V is very important. Amongst other matters it specifies requirements for radar reflectors, a compass, keeping a log and passage planning. You can also obtain a leaflet on these regulations published by the local coastguard or read the MCA advice.

Jersey Coastguard leaflet on SOLAS Chapter V

Spilling oil into the sea

In almost all circumstances this is prohibited in Jersey waters and in many parts of the world. If it happens in a harbour in Jersey it must be reported to the harbour master.

You can pump bilge water into the sea but it must be clean and not mixed with oil.

Accident at sea

If you own a registered pleasure craft and it is destroyed, sunk or shipwrecked and not recovered, we have to remove it from the Shipping Register. In such cases you must notify the registrar as soon as possible at the contact below.

If you own a commercially coded vessel which is lost, presumed lost or abandoned, you have a legal duty to submit a report as soon as practicable by the quickest means available. In any other event, the master must send the report not less than 24 hours after the ship next arrives in port.

An owner, master or officer who, without reasonable excuse, fails to submit this report is liable to a fine up to £5,000.

You can report leisure accidents and incidents on Jersey Coastguard.

You can report commercial accidents and incidents on safety ​and security at Jersey Harbours on Jersey Coastguard​.

Prosecution after an accident

If you're involved in a boating accident and it is later shown that maritime legislation was breached in some way, prosecution could follow.

However, before you ever get to that stage, we would stress the need for being well informed, well trained and for going about your pleasure boating or commercial ship business in a professional and seaman-like way.

For local advice, contact Jersey Harbours.