All power exercised by the Registration Authority derives from the HCMM Court by virtue of the 1932 Royal Charter (amended 2013). It is formed under Royal Charter and derives its authority from the Honourable Company. The Authority provides governance and oversight of the Chartership project, made up of HCMM members and maritime industry experts.
The function of the Registration Authority
- oversee and manage the process by which the HCMM grants Chartered Master Mariner status
- receive Chartership candidate applications that have been scrutinised by The Nautical Institute
- process the applications in preparation for Professional Review Interview (PRI)
- undertake PRI assessments and complete the relevant documentation
- make final recommendations to the HCMM Court on the granting of Chartered Master Mariner status
- implement and maintain a Register of Chartered Master Mariners
- regularly review and modify this Register to ensure that all those on the Register comply with:
- personal conduct statements;
- codes of ethics;
- Chartership application forms.

Current Committee Members
Role/Organisation | Name |
Chairman | Admiral Sir Nigel ESSENHIGH GCB |
Deputy Chairman | Captain Peter MCARTHUR |
HCMM Court Assistants (3) | Commander Les CHAPMAN RN (Chairman, Review by RA Sub-Committee) |
Captain Richard BARNES | |
Captain Susie THOMSON |
|
Stakeholder Organisations |
|
Nautical Institute | Captain Gary WILSON (Chairman, NI Verifications Sub-Committee) |
Captain John LLOYD (CEO) | |
UK Chamber of Shipping | Commodore Bob SANGUINETTI RN (CEO) |
Merchant Navy Training Board | Mrs Kathryn NEILSON (Director) |
Mrs Donna STEVENS | |
Royal Navy/Royal Fleet Auxiliary | Commodore Duncan LAMB RFA |
Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology | Mr Tom FANTHORPE (Business Development Liaison and Assurance) |
In Attendance (Officials) |
|
Secretary/Registrar | Scott HANLON Esq. |
Legal Adviser | Mr Keith LAWREY |
Legal Adviser | Mr Hew DUNDAS |
Consulting Organisations |
|
Master | Captain Derek CHADBURN |
Senior Warden | Commander Les CHAPMAN RN (as above) |
Warden | Captain Robin BATT |
Liverymen | Captain Michael ROBARTS |
Trinity House | Captain Ian MCNAUGHT (Deputy Master) |