Isle Of Man's Ship Register Reaches 1000 Mark

by Philip Morton, Investors Offshore.com

13 February 2009

The Isle of Man Ship Registry has announced it reached another milestone on January 28 with the registration of an anchor-handling supply vessel, bringing the total number of Isle of Man registered vessels to 1,000 for the first time ever.

This is an important milestone for the Ship Registry, which is now in its 25th year as an international ship register having been in operation since September 1984.

The register itself has historically been in operation since 1786 serving the needs of local craft and operators, and it is to this maritime tradition on the Island that the modern register owes its success.

The ship register now comprises the following types of vessels:

• 380 Merchant Vessels;
• 72 Commercial Yachts;
• 364 Pleasure Yachts;
• 73 Fishing Vessels, and
• 111 Small Ships.

These vessels have a combined tonnage of 9.79 million gross registered tonnes.

Each vessel carries the identity of the Isle of Man and the register provides economic benefit for the local professional services which administer many of the vessels.

Minister for Trade and Industry, Hon David Cretney, MHK, commented:

“The Ship Register continues to enjoy steady growth which is evidenced by the size and quality of the fleet. The Ship Registry team work closely with all those involved in the safe operation of vessels, both on shore and at sea, and this has proved to be a success story for the Isle of Man which enhances our reputation internationally. Each and every Isle of Man registered ship – from supertankers to small ships – is an excellent ambassador for the Island as she is visible in all corners of the world proudly displaying the ports of Douglas, Peel, Castletown or Ramsey and flying the prestigious Manx Ensign.”

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