The Maritime Authority has been formally established and today launches its official website at maritime.gov.vin, where the Navigation Safety Regulations, Notices to Mariners and guidance on the Vessel Register will be published.
Navigation and registration
- Navigation Safety
The Navigation Safety Regulations 2026, speed limits and traffic rules in the waters of the Network, in force from 7 September 2026.
- Vessel Registration
How to register a vessel, the six fee classes and the confirmation of provisional entries transferred at establishment.
- Aids to Navigation
The register of lights, buoys and marks maintained by the Authority, and how to report a defect.
- Notices to Mariners
The six notices in force, the weekly edition and how to receive notices by email.
- Surveys and Inspections
Survey intervals by class, what a surveyor examines and how to arrange a survey.
- Frequently asked questions
Who must register, what registration costs, how to receive notices and what to do after an incident.
Latest announcements
All news- Maritime Authority Opens the Vessel Register
The Vessel Register opens for applications on Monday 7 September 2026. Six fee classes are published from today, and the 1,284 vessels transferred from member organisations' lists are carried as provisional entries to be confirmed by 30 November 2026.
- Maritime Authority Publishes Navigation Safety Regulations and First Notices to Mariners
The Navigation Safety Regulations 2026 come into force at 00:00 on Monday 7 September 2026. Six Notices to Mariners are issued today, including a one-way traffic scheme in the Northgate Channel and an anchoring prohibition in Westbrook Roads during cable-laying works.
- Maritime Authority Publishes First Statistical Release
The Authority's first statistical release records the position at establishment: 1,284 vessels on the provisional register, 67 aids to navigation in service, and 1,930 vessel movements recorded in the Northgate Channel during the transition period.
About the Authority
The Maritime Authority of the Velocity Interoperability Network is responsible for the safety of navigation in the waters of the Velocity Interoperability Network and for the registration of vessels belonging to member organisations and citizens.
It makes and enforces the Navigation Safety Regulations, issues Notices to Mariners, maintains the lights, buoys and marks that guide vessels through the Network's waters, keeps the Vessel Register and surveys the vessels entered on it.
Milestones
6 September 2026
Authority established
Responsibility for navigation safety, the Vessel Register, aids to navigation and the survey of vessels in the waters of the Network.
6 September 2026
maritime.gov.vin launched
Press releases, the Navigation Safety Regulations, Notices to Mariners and guidance on registration published on the official website.
6 September 2026
Register, Regulations and notices confirmed
The Vessel Register opens on 7 September, the Navigation Safety Regulations 2026 come into force the same day, six Notices to Mariners are issued and the first statistical release is published.
Forthcoming
Harbour byelaws and the small craft safety scheme
Byelaws for Southbank Harbour, a safety scheme for small craft and the first full quarterly statistical report, covering the quarter ending 30 September 2026, will be announced in the Newsroom.