According to the Marine Management Organisation's latest GOV.UK update, the replacement of inshore vessel monitoring system equipment has moved far enough for enforcement activity to come back into view. In July 2026, the regulator said more than 92% of eligible vessels had been registered for a Nemo device. That position follows work to address the loss of data transmissions from SC2 devices to the UK Vessel Monitoring System Hub. The MMO says almost half of registered replacement units have now been installed, with the remaining appointments expected over the coming weeks.
The next step is a return to normal compliance and enforcement of I-VMS requirements for licensed under-12 metre English fishing vessels. The GOV.UK notice makes clear that the replacement programme is now sufficiently advanced for routine regulatory activity to resume. For vessel owners, the immediate issue is timing. The MMO is urging any licence holder that has not yet bought an approved I-VMS device to do so as soon as possible, and says it has written directly to affected operators with information on updating records or arranging a purchase.
The compliance requirement itself has not changed. To meet MMO rules, a vessel must carry an MMO-approved I-VMS device that is capable of transmitting data to the UK VMS Hub. That distinction matters because registration alone is not enough. From a regulatory standpoint, the relevant test is whether the vessel is equipped with an approved unit that can send operational data through the national system once normal enforcement resumes.
For owners waiting for an installation visit, the current task is practical rather than administrative. The MMO says Nemo devices should be charged for 48 hours before the appointment, and owners should confirm that the green light is showing. Until installation takes place, the device should remain safely stored in its original packaging. The regulator's advice indicates that installation readiness is now part of the wider effort to return the under-12 metre fleet to full operational compliance.
The commercial arrangements tied to the devices are also moving back into place. According to the MMO, CLS UK will contact vessel owners in advance of any airtime payment request, and airtime contracts and renewals are expected to begin once normal enforcement resumes. The update also addresses concerns about defective equipment. Fishermen who believe a Nemo device is faulty are being asked to contact CLS UK as soon as possible, including where the warranty period has expired. The MMO says remedial work or replacement devices will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The MMO continues to present I-VMS data as a working tool for fisheries management and consistent regulation across the fleet. Accurate vessel position data also supports evidence requirements, including cases where the displacement of fishing activity may need to be assessed for compensation. For the sector, the policy direction is now clear. The period following the SC2 transmission problem is drawing to a close, replacement devices are being fitted, and operators are being told to treat approved I-VMS carriage as a live requirement again. The MMO's helpline remains available on 01900 508 618, Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm, and by email at ivms@marinemanagement.org.uk, with further guidance and frequently asked questions on GOV.UK.