Sir Alan Massey, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), has outlined the importance of the superyacht industry.
Sir Alan was speaking at the recent Monaco Yacht Show. He was there representing the UK’s Shipping Minister, John Hayes.
The MCA is a world leader in maritime administration and the originator of the Large Commercial Yacht Code, LY3, which covers safety for yachts that are more than 24-metres in length. Ensign, the MCA’s large yacht services division, offers sector-leading advice and guidance in areas including the LY3 code, the Maritime Labour Convention and Seafarers’ Standards.
Opening his presentation, Sir Alan highlighted the commitment and continued support the industry receives from the MCA, on behalf of the Government, which extends to both the surveying and training aspects of the industry.
He outlined new initiatives in yacht engineer officer training, including fully transferrable qualifications between different categories of vessel. He said, “The MCA is one of a very few maritime administrations in the world dealing specifically with yacht qualifications under STCW.”
Sir Alan also spoke of his pride in the work the MCA is doing to implement Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) which, he said is so important for the safety and wellbeing of all those who earn their living at sea.
The contribution of the industry to the work of the MCA was also praised. Sir Alan said, “Those of us working in the field of standard setting and regulation are grateful for the solid support we get from industry – including the Professional Yachting Association and others – in collaborating in the industry working groups for LY3 and the Passenger Yacht Code.”
With a current focus on coding for passenger yachts – which Sir Alan highlighted as a sector that was clearly growing in confidence with new vessels under construction – the next task for the MCA would be the development of standards for sailing passenger yachts, working with the Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss).
