Survey and certification of vessels over 500gt are based on following International Conventions.

• International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 and its Protocol of 1978;
• International Convention on Load Lines, 1966;
• International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto;
• International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for seafarers 1978;
• International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972.
• Merchant Shipping (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 147)

The United Kingdom is signatory to the Conventions and are extended to British Virgin Islands as provided for in  The Virgin Island Merchant Shipping Act 2001.