Certifying Authority

MCA releases MGN 599 (M) Amendment 1(M) Pleasure vessels

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MGN 599 (M) Amendment 1 (M) Pleasure vessels – regulations and exemptions has been released
MGN 599 (M) Amendment 1 (M) Pleasure vessels – regulations and exemptions has been released

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency has released a new MGN which provides guidance and best practice for pleasure vessels, and general exemptions for Class XI vessels.
MGN 599 (M) Amendment 1 (M) Pleasure vessels – regulations and exemptions provides guidance for pleasure vessels and has been developed in consultation with British Marine (BM), Royal Yachting Association (RYA), and Yacht Brokers, Designers and Surveyors Association (YBDSA).

It introduces the concept of Intended Pleasure Vessels, includes a new Exemption from fire extinguishing regulations on close-down, Continue reading “MCA releases MGN 599 (M) Amendment 1(M) Pleasure vessels”

Lithium Storage Solutions safety bulletin published by the MCA

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MCA has published a safety bulletin regarding Lithium Storage Solutions.
MCA has published a safety bulletin regarding Lithium Storage Solutions.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published a safety bulletin regarding Lithium Storage Solutions.
It reads: “As the UK Market Surveillance Authority for marine equipment, [the MCA] is aware that Lithium Storage Solutions Ltd claim on their website https://www.lithiumstoragesolutions.com/ that their product, the Lithium Safety Store® is “Fully compliant with MGN 681 (M), Fire safety and storage of small electric powered craft on yachts, section 4 storage and charging” and also claims “Fully certified for sea and air transport and storage” under MGN 681. Continue reading “Lithium Storage Solutions safety bulletin published by the MCA”

MLC amendments set to enter into force in December 2024

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MLC amendments will be enforceable on 23rd December 2024
MLC amendments will be enforceable on 23rd December 2024

The 2022 amendments to MLC 2006, adopted at the ILO 110th session in Geneva, are expected to come into force from 23rd December 2024. Here is a brief overview.

Regulation 1.4 – Recruitment and placement

Further protection for seafarers if a recruitment or placement agent fails to meet its obligations under the seafarer’s employment agreement. Seafarers should be informed of their rights, prior to or in the process of engagement.

Regulation 2.5 – Repatriation

Flag and Port states must be proactive in facilitating and assisting seafarers who require repatriation, Continue reading “MLC amendments set to enter into force in December 2024”

Isle of Man Ship Registry: Tonnage and Measurement of Ships under 24m Overall Length

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The Isle of Man Ship Registry has issued a revised Registry Advice Notice RAN 03
The Isle of Man Ship Registry has issued a revised Registry Advice Notice RAN 03

The Isle of Man Ship Registry has issued a revised Registry Advice Notice RAN 03: Tonnage and Measurement of Ships under 24m Overall Length. The document was published on 14 August 2024.

Before registering with the Isle of Man Ship Registry, all ships under 24m overall length must be surveyed and issued with a ‘Certificate of Survey (Tonnage Measurement)’ specifying vessel tonnage in accordance with Part III of the Merchant Shipping (Tonnage) Regulations 1998. This excludes ships registered on the small ships register and fishing vessels. Continue reading “Isle of Man Ship Registry: Tonnage and Measurement of Ships under 24m Overall Length”

MCA Workboat Code edition 3 becomes law

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The new edition of the code will be statutory from 13th December 2023
The new edition of the code will be statutory from 13th December 2023

Following many months of protracted discussions and consultation earlier this year, Workboat Code edition 3 is set to become law from 13 December 2023. From this date onwards this Code must only be used for new workboats and pilot boats.

Existing vessels that are certificated under the Brown Code, its equivalent standard published in the technical Annex to MGN 280(M), or Workboat Code Edition 2, Amendment 1 shall meet the requirements of Workboat Code edition 3 by the vessel’s next renewal examination or three years after the date of entry into force of the Code, Continue reading “MCA Workboat Code edition 3 becomes law”

Angry response voiced at Seawork over proposed new MCA Workboat Code 3

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The proposed MCAs Workboat Code 3 has drawn angry responses
The proposed MCAs Workboat Code 3 has drawn angry responses

Anger erupted and spilled over at the MCAs handling of the Workboat Code 3 consultation process at the Seawork conference. Accusations were made that the MCA (Maritime & Coastguard Agency) is not communicating new coding regulations that could have disastrous consequences for small workboats.

There was standing room only at the UK’s Maritime & Coastguard Authority Workboat Code 3 update presentation at Seawork as the Workboat Association teetered close to expressing a vote of no confidence in the UK’s statutory body. Something of a showdown with Continue reading “Angry response voiced at Seawork over proposed new MCA Workboat Code 3”

Latest flag state performance table published by International Chamber of Shipping

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Latest flag state performance table published by ICS
Latest flag state performance table published by ICS

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published the latest flag state performance table (2020/2021) which finds that many of the largest flag states, including the Marshall Islands, Hong Kong (China), Singapore as well as the Bahamas and Cyprus, continue to perform to an exceptionally high standard, with traditional flags and open registers performing equally well.

ICS Secretary General, Guy Platten, says: “The flag state performance table clearly indicates that distinctions between ‘traditional’ flags and open registers are no longer meaningful. Alongside several European registers, and flags such as Japan, we have seen many open registers amongst the very top performers”. Continue reading “Latest flag state performance table published by International Chamber of Shipping”

MCA releases the outcome of the review of the standards relating to older domestic passenger vessels

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MCA release results of second public consultation
MCA release results of second public consultation

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) carried out a second public consultation, which ran from 29 May 2019 to 10 July 2019, on proposals resulting from a review of the standards relating to older domestic passenger vessels, which are currently less stringent in some areas than those which are applied to newbuild vessels. Some proposals had been revised in the light of comments received during the first consultation, which ran from 6 November 2018 to 29 January 2019.

In some cases, there is a safety gap between the standards for new ships and those for older vessels. The review seeks to bring the standards applied to existing vessels into line, wherever possible, with those which apply to new vessels in key safetyareas.

These proposals are to narrow the gap by means of new Regulations which amend Continue reading “MCA releases the outcome of the review of the standards relating to older domestic passenger vessels”

IMO increased efforts to fight fake flag registries

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IMO HQ London
IMO HQ London

In response to a spike in fake flag registrations, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is seeking to combat “rogue” national flag registries which are operating without the knowledge of governments they claim to represent, according to the insurer Standard Club.

In recent years, IMO has received reports that 73 vessels were unlawfully flying the flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 91 vessels were illegally registered under the flag of Fiji and 150 vessels were unlawfully registered under the flag of the Federated States of Micronesia. (Micronesian law doesn’t even allow international vessels to flag into its national registry.) The vessels involved are typically smaller, Continue reading “IMO increased efforts to fight fake flag registries”

Waterways Ombudsman issues Annual Report

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Waterways Ombudsman issues Annual Report
Waterways Ombudsman issues Annual Report

The Waterways Ombudsman and the Waterways Ombudsman Committee have issued their Annual Report for 2018/19.

This is the seventh and final annual report of the current Waterways Ombudsman, Andrew Walker, before he hands over to his successor, Sarah Daniel, on 26 July.

During the year the Waterways Ombudsman received 43 enquiries about the Trust, up from last year’s 35, although given the low numbers this is not a Continue reading “Waterways Ombudsman issues Annual Report”

Denmark cancels registration fee for Danish Register in attempt to boost fleet size

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The aim of this amendment is to increase the attractiveness of the Danish Flag
The aim of this amendment is to increase the attractiveness of the Danish Flag

The Danish Parliament adopted a legislative amendment on 26 of April, which cancels the registration fee for vessels in the Danish Registers of Shipping. The aim of this amendment is to increase the attractiveness of the Danish Flag.

Denmark supports that this measure will indeed increase the attractiveness of the Danish Flag, as it now offers the same benefits as foreign Flags.

This amendment also provides increased economic activity and international influence, when the Danish Flag attracts more vessels from both national as foreign shipowners.

The amendment will enter into force on the Continue reading “Denmark cancels registration fee for Danish Register in attempt to boost fleet size”

ClassNK publishes guidelines for use of drones in class surveys

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ClassNK publishes guidelines for use of drones in class surveys
ClassNK publishes guidelines for use of drones in class surveys

Leading classification society ClassNK has released its Guidelines for Use of Drones in Class Surveys. These guidelines incorporate the applicable range and procedures for use of drones in class surveys, the technical considerations for safe operation and the requirements for drone service suppliers.

Because drone-related technologies are improving at an extremely rapid pace, application in diverse fields is increasingly expected. In the maritime industry as well, efforts aimed at utilization in the field of inspections and surveys are being carried out.

At the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), discussions on the use of Remote Inspection Techniques (RIT) including drones in class surveys are already underway, and IACS Rec. 42 (Guidelines for Use of Remote Inspection Technics for Surveys) was revised in June of 2016. A revision of the related IACS Unified Requirements has also been completed and will take effect in January 2019.

On the other hand, when flying a drone in places such as Continue reading “ClassNK publishes guidelines for use of drones in class surveys”

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