From new build to officially registered ship – tonnage certificate, ship register and radio license explained simply
- Christian Nüßer
- 20 hours ago
- 5 min read
Anyone ordering a new sailboat spends months researching topics like sails, electronics, and anchors. Then, suddenly, terms like tonnage certificate , ship register , distinguishing signal , MMSI , call sign , or radio license appear .
That's exactly how I felt when building our Sirius 40 DS "Viserion" .
After several phone calls with the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), the Kiel District Court and the Federal Network Agency, I have now completed the entire process.
Since I myself spent a long time searching for an understandable step-by-step guide, I would like to summarize it here.
Why register at all?
In principle, not every recreational boat needs to be registered in the maritime register.
Many sailors operate exclusively with an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) or a flag certificate.
However, who
owns a larger yacht
is planning financing or a loan,
wants to sail permanently under the German flag
or simply wants to possess an official ship certificate,
often opts for registration in the maritime ship register.
With our Sirius, it was clear from the beginning:
It is to be officially registered in the maritime register.
Step 1 – Apply for the ship's tonnage certificate
The first step leads to the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) .
There, the so-called ship's tonnage certificate is applied for. Without this document, registration in the maritime register is practically impossible.
For recreational boats under 24 meters, a simplified measurement procedure is carried out . This means that the boat is not fully measured. Instead, the relevant dimensions and identifying characteristics are determined based on the submitted documents and photos.
For my application, I had to submit the following documents:
CE Declaration of Conformity
Builder's Certificate from the shipyard
General plan of the shipyard
Excerpt from the brochure
Photos from port, starboard, bow and stern
technical data of the ship
Engine information
My most important tip
Only apply for the tonnage certificate once the boat is truly finished.
Bow pulpits, stern pulpits, bathing platforms, bowsprits, or davits change the overall length (LOA). This length is later recorded in the vessel's tonnage certificate and should, of course, be accurate.
How much does the ship's tonnage certificate cost?
The fees for our Viserion were 255 euros .
After a few days I first received the fee notice and then the completed digital ship measurement certificate.
This includes, among other things:
Ship name
Home port
Year of construction
shipyard
Construction number
HIN (Hull Identification Number)
Hull length
Overall length
Motor
Building material
This means you already possess an internationally recognized document.
Step 2 – Registration in the ship register
Once the ship's tonnage certificate is available, the ship can be registered in the maritime register.
The competent court is always the district court of the port of registration.
Since our home port is Neustadt in Holstein , the Kiel District Court was responsible for us .
The following were required for the application:
Application for registration
Ship's tonnage certificate
Copy of identity card
Proof of ownership (shipyard invoice or purchase agreement)
Information about the ship
declaration of an oath
Indication of the ship's value
Additionally, it had to be confirmed that
that the ship is not yet registered in any other register,
that we are owners,
that a radio system is present,
and that Neustadt will actually become its home port.
The result
After successful registration, you will receive the ship certificate .
This means the ship officially possesses:
a registration number,
a distinguishing signal,
the registered home port,
and official proof of ownership of the ship.
For me, that was one of the most beautiful moments during the entire construction project.
A new building has now officially become a ship.
Step 3 – Radio license, call sign and MMSI
Now comes the part that many would actually like to do first.
The radio license is applied for at the Federal Network Agency .
The following will be awarded:
Call sign
MMSI
ATIS (for inland waterway radio)
All radio equipment must be listed in the application.
Our Viserion includes:
VHF radio system with DSC
portable VHF handheld radio
AIS transponder
AIS-SART
radar
MOB-AIS
EPIRB
Very important: Register first – then program.
Many retailers offer to program radios during installation.
I would advise against that.
Only once the Federal Network Agency has assigned the final MMSI and call sign should
radio
AIS,
EPIRB
DSC,
AIS-SART
be programmed.
Many devices can then only be reset with special software or even by the manufacturer.
Flag certificate or ship register?
This question is frequently asked.
My personal assessment:
Flag certificate
✔ cheaper
✔ faster
✔ sufficient for many journeys
✔ Ideal for boats under 15 meters
Seagoing Vessel Register
✔ Official proof of ownership
✔ Ship certificate
✔ Differentiation signal
✔ Possibility of ship financing or pledging
✔ particularly interesting for longer trips and long-distance sailors
Important:
It is not possible to do both at the same time.
If a ship is registered in the maritime register, a flag certificate will no longer be issued.
My order worked perfectly.
Have the boat finished
Received CE documentation from the shipyard
Received Builder's Certificate
Apply for ship's tonnage certificate from the BSH
Received ship's tonnage certificate
Registration in the maritime register
Ship certificate and distinguishing signal received
Apply for a radio license from the Federal Network Agency
MMSI and call sign received
Programming radios
Cast off!
Important links & contact persons
Ship's tonnage certificate (BSH)
Application for the tonnage certificate for recreational craft up to 24 meters:
Flag certificate
Information and online application:
Radio license, MMSI and call sign
Application for a ship radio license at the Federal Network Agency:
German flag
General information on flag law, tonnage certificate and registration:
contact person
Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH)
Department of Sports Boat Measurement
Email: sportbootvermessen@bsh.de
Telephone: +49 40 3190-72201
Federal Network Agency
Maritime radio / recreational boating
Email: seefunk@bnetza.de
Telephone: +49 40 23655-0
Seagoing Vessel Register
The competent court depends on the ship's home port.
Example:
Home port Neustadt in Holstein → Kiel District Court – Ship Register
My recommendation
Create a digital folder right at the beginning (e.g., in iCloud, Dropbox, or OneDrive) and save all important documents there:
Ship's tonnage certificate
Ship certificate
Radio license
CE Declaration of Conformity
Builder's Certificate
Purchase agreement
Insurance documents
Invoices for important equipment
Especially on longer journeys, it is invaluable to be able to access all documents at any time – even if the originals are not readily available.
My conclusion
To be honest, before it started, the whole process seemed quite complicated to me.
Once you understand the correct sequence, the process is logically structured and easy to manage.
Therefore, my most important advice is:
Don't start with the radio license, but with the tonnage certificate. It forms the basis for all further steps.
I hope this account will save other owners of new builds or larger yachts some time. I wish I'd had an article like this at the start of our project.
Fair winds!
Christian
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