Vinyl graphics & port letters for UK fishing vessels — compliance, gear marking & ordering

Vinyl graphics & port letters for UK fishing vessels — what you must know (and why our lettering designer makes it easy)

Whether you skipper a 7-metre day boat or run an 18-metre trawler, the letters and numbers on your hull are more than tradition — they’re the legal identity of your vessel. This guide explains what UK rules require, how to mark your gear, why vinyl is a practical option, an illustrative list of common port codes, and how our lettering designer can supply compliant, professional markings.

Quick compliance summary (accurate to Dec 2025)

• When a UK fishing vessel is registered the Registrar issues the vessel’s Port Letters and Number (PLN) and a Carving & Marking note. The owner must mark the vessel with the PLN and have that marking inspected/signed off by an authorised measurer or inspector.  
• Location: PLN must be painted or displayed on both sides of the bow and on each quarter, as high above the water as possible; where practicable it should also be shown on a prominent horizontal surface such as the wheelhouse top.  
• Sizes: for vessels not over 17 m the port letters and number must be at least 25 cm high (stroke width at least 4 cm); for vessels over 17 m they must be at least 45 cm high (stroke width at least 6 cm). (Note: the law uses the wording “not over 17 metres” vs “over 17 metres”.)  
• Colour/contrast: markings must be in a colour that contrasts with the ground (commonly white on dark or black on light) so they are clearly visible from sea or air.  
• Gear marking: passive gear (pots, nets, beam trawls) and many marker buoys must carry the vessel’s PLN so lost or dangerous gear can be identified and recovered. Check your local IFCA or Harbour Authority for any additional byelaws.  

What “painted or displayed” means — can I use vinyl?

• The legislation permits PLN to be “painted or displayed.” That wording has been interpreted in practice to allow durable, marine-grade vinyl (or other durable displays) provided the marking is permanent/conspicuous, sized and sited to the regulatory minimums, and not easily effaced or obscured. Always keep your Carving & Marking note and Certificate of Registry available for inspection.  

Why vinyl is a practical choice

• Uniform, crisp lettering with exact stroke widths and heights (avoids brush irregularities).
• Easier replacement or update than repainting.
• Marine-grade vinyl offers strong UV and salt resistance when correctly fitted.
• Vinyl allows us to supply matching smaller labels/tags for gear and buoys so your entire kit uses the same PLN styling.

Plain-English checklist (what to do before ordering)

1. Use the exact PLN from your Certificate of Registry / Carving & Marking note — don’t guess from internet lists.  
2. Measure your vessel overall to determine which size applies: ≤17 m → 25 cm letters; >17 m → 45 cm letters.  
3. Choose high-contrast colours (white on dark or black on light).  
4. Mark both sides of the bow and both quarters; where possible also mark a wheelhouse top or other horizontal surface.  
5. Mark passive gear and buoys with the PLN; check local IFCA / Harbour byelaws for extra rules.  
6. Use marine-grade vinyl and follow correct surface preparation and fitting instructions to ensure permanence and legibility.

Illustrative list of UK port codes (for reference only — not official)

Below is an illustrative list of commonly seen UK port letters. This list is illustrative only and should not be used as a substitute for the official PLN assigned to your vessel on your Certificate of Registry / Carving & Marking note. Always use the PLN issued to you by the Registrar.

A — Aberdeen

• AA — Alloa
• AB — Aberystwyth
• AD — Ardrossan
• AH — Arbroath
• AR — Ayr
• BM — Brixham
• BN — Boston
• BD — Bideford
• BE — Barnstaple
• BH — Blyth
• BL — Bristol
• BR — Bridgwater
• BW — Barrow
• CK — Colchester
• CL — Carlisle
• CN — Campbeltown
• CO — Caernarfon
• CS — Cowes
• CT — Castletown
• CY — Castlebay
• E — Exeter
• FH — Falmouth
• FY — Fowey
• GY — Grimsby
• H — Hull
• HE — Hayle
• HH — Harwich
• IH — Ipswich
• LI — Littlehampton
• LL — Liverpool
• LN — Kings Lynn
• LO — London
• LT — Lowestoft
• MH — Middlesbrough
• NE — Newcastle
• NN — Newhaven
• P — Portsmouth
• PE — Peterhead
• S — Scarborough / SR variants in some areas
• WY — Whitby

(Again: illustrative only. Always confirm your official PLN on your registration documents.)

When registering a fishing vessel in the UK you are issued with a Port Letters & Number (PLN) and a Carving & Marking note. UK law requires the PLN to be displayed on both sides of the bow and on each quarter (and, where practicable, on the wheelhouse top), in contrasting colours and at regulatorily-specified sizes: 25 cm height (4 cm stroke) for vessels not over 17 m and 45 cm height (6 cm stroke) for vessels over 17 m. Passive gear and many marker buoys must also be marked with the vessel’s PLN. Our lettering designer sizes artwork to these legal minimums and supplies fitting instructions — please use the exact PLN from your Certificate of Registry or Carving & Marking note when ordering. 

• We use marine-grade vinyl options and include fitting instructions to maximise life and legibility.
• We can supply matching smaller vinyl tags for gear and buoys so your whole kit is consistently marked.
• If needed, we can output in stencil format for paint-based application too.