MGN 646 published by MCA: Engine emission standards for inland waterway vessels

MCA Logo - MGN 646 has been published by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency
MGN 646 has been published by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency

The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published a marine guidance notice MGN 646 to provide clarification concerning the applicable engine standards for vessels operating on inland waterways, in accordance with the MARPOL Annex VI requirements that apply to vessels operating on tidal Category C, and D waters, as well as at sea.

Requirements of the Non Road Mobile Machinery Regulation (NRMM) apply to vessels operating on Category A, B, C and D waters.

Continue reading “MGN 646 published by MCA: Engine emission standards for inland waterway vessels”

Fishing vessel owners found guilty of safety breaches in MCA prosecution

Fishing vessel owners found guilty of safety breaches in MCA prosecution
Fishing vessel owners found guilty of safety breaches in MCA prosecution

The company owners of two UK-registered fishing vessels which went to sea without the correct certification have been found guilty in a MCA prosecution and fined a total of £4,000.

Philomena Trawlers Ltd and D&G Seafoods Ltd were represented by defence lawyer Paul Rogers at the hearing at Southampton Magistrates Court on Friday, August 28.

Both companies pleaded guilty to charges of offences Contrary to Regulations 5(1)(b) and 5(4) of the Fishing Vessels (Codes of Practice) Regulations 2017. Philomena Trawlers Ltd were fined £1,000 and D&G Seafoods Ltd were fined £3,000 and ordered to pay costs of £8,380. Continue reading “Fishing vessel owners found guilty of safety breaches in MCA prosecution”

MCA approach to survey and certification of UK vessels during COVID-19 covered by MIN 612

MIN 612 details the MCA approach to survey and certification of UK vessels during COVID-19
MIN 612 details the MCA approach to survey and certification of UK vessels during COVID-19

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published MIN 612, a marine information notice which sets out the policy of the MCA with respect to UK Vessels which are prevented from arranging the relevant surveys, inspections and audits required for compliance with the appropriate Statutory Instruments due to the current pandemic.

In MIN 612 the MCA sets out contingency plans to mitigate disruption to essential statutory activities during the current pandemic. The aim of the notice is to provide a basis for the continued operation of UK vessels during this time.

Continue reading “MCA approach to survey and certification of UK vessels during COVID-19 covered by MIN 612”

Keel failure and capsize of charter yacht Tyger of London MAIB report published

Tyger of London keel matrix photo taken from the MAIB report
Tyger of London keel matrix photo taken from the MAIB report

At 0930 on 7 December 2017, the skippered charter yacht Tyger of London departed San Sebastian, La Gomera, bound for Marina San Miguel, Tenerife, with four paying passengers acting as crew on board.

At about 1700, 1 nautical mile south of Punta Rasca, the crew heard a loud bang. Tyger of London immediately heeled to starboard, capsized and inverted. The crew released their lifelines, fell from the cockpit into the water and their lifejackets automatically inflated. One crew member was briefly trapped below the yacht but managed to swim clear.

The skipper of another yacht, St Barbara V, which was 200m to the west, raised the alarm and rescued the crew from the water. Once landed in Tenerife, they were treated by Spanish emergency services before being released. There were no serious injuries. Continue reading “Keel failure and capsize of charter yacht Tyger of London MAIB report published”

New safety requirements for older UK passenger ships go out for second consultation

MCA LogoThe Maritime & Coastguard Agency begins a second public consultation today on proposed new technical requirements for domestic passenger ships.

The planned changes aim to make sure older ships more closely match the safety standards of newer vessels.

Feedback on the initial consultation has been used to modify the proposals in the areas relating to lifejacket provision, fire safety and the vessels in scope of damage stability requirements.

Continue reading “New safety requirements for older UK passenger ships go out for second consultation”

The MCA UK code of practice for intended pleasure craft in temporary commercial use at sea has come into force

Sailing boats on the waterA new code came into force on 1 January 2019 allowing pleasure craft to be in temporary commercial use at sea for a number of defined purposes.

The Intended Pleasure Vessels (IPV) Code, which permits the temporary use of  pleasure craft in temporary commercial use such as businesses purposes and as race support without the current requirement for inspection, marks a huge step forward for the UK’s leisure marine sector.

Testing, trialling and delivery of sea-going vessels legally will now be cheaper and easier for boatbuilders, brokers, surveyors, repairers, delivery companies and equipment service providers under the exemptions laid out in Part 1 of the new Code. It delivers an easier and clearer way for businesses to comply with regulation and will have resulting, long-term benefits for the end-user.

As the significance of this Code spans the breadth of boating, from manufacturer to boat owner, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) developed it in partnership with the sector’s leading associations and representatives. These include British Marine, Royal Yachting Association (RYA), Yacht Brokers, Designers and Surveyors Association (YBDSA), British Rowing and British Canoeing. Continue reading “The MCA UK code of practice for intended pleasure craft in temporary commercial use at sea has come into force”

Marine casualty investigation training provided to Red Ensign members

Raman Bala, Director of Shipping, British Virgin Islands (pictured) attending the MAIB training
Raman Bala, Director of Shipping, British Virgin Islands (pictured) attending the MAIB training

Red Ensign Group members have been attending an intensive course aimed at working with them to ensure their safety during marine casualty investigation and incidents are carried out in line with international requirements.

While the REG delegates are already experienced in such investigations, the course run by the UK-based Marine Accident Investigation Branch combines the requirements of the International Maritime Organization’s Casualty Investigation Code with its own experience and best practice.

David Wheal, principal inspector of marine accidents at the MAIB is one of the team that created the course. He said: ‘This is not designed to replace the formal training we would expect investigators to have. This course serves as a platform for future refresher and enhanced training.’ Continue reading “Marine casualty investigation training provided to Red Ensign members”

MCA propose a new code of practice to allow pleasure vessels to be temporarily used for business purposes and as race support boats

A race support boat The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is seeking feedback from the public on a new code of practice for intended pleasure vessels (IPV)

The MCA would like feedback on a new proposal to allow pleasure craft to be temporarily used for business purposes and as race support boats.

The organisation has been working with British Marine, RYA, and the Yacht Brokers, Designers and Surveyors Association (YBDSA) to develop the new code of practice which is due to be published on 1 January 2019.

The code is divided into parts. The first refers to intended pleasure vessels (IPV) to be used for temporary commercial reasons and the second for said craft to be used to support race boats.

Continue reading “MCA propose a new code of practice to allow pleasure vessels to be temporarily used for business purposes and as race support boats”

UK MCA and RNLI test drones for search and rescue

Lifeboat in rough seas - Image credit: RNLI / Nigel Millard
Image credit: RNLI / Nigel Millard

The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) have run a special week-long event to test the use of drones along a stretch of coastline at St Athan, Wales. The testing took place between 23 and 27 April. A selection of drones were used in four different search and rescue scenarios to explore how they could be used to help save lives in the future.

The scenarios were a shoreline search for a casualty, an offshore search for multiple casualties in the sea, a mud rescue and a communications blackspot where a drone is required to relay information between rescue teams and a casualty on a cliff.

Featuring RNLI lifeboats and an HM coastguard search and rescue helicopter, the scenarios explored Continue reading “UK MCA and RNLI test drones for search and rescue”

Maritime & Coastguard Agency CEO Sir Alan Massey announces his retirement

Maritime & Coastguard Agency CEO Sir Alan Massey announces his retirement
Maritime & Coastguard Agency CEO Sir Alan Massey announces his retirement

After eight years in charge, the chief executive officer of the UK’s Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA), Sir Alan Massey KBC CBE, has announced his intention to retire from the role towards the end of 2018.

Sir Alan joined the MCA in July 2010 after a 33-year career with the Royal Navy, where he left as second sea lord.

During his eight-year tenure, Sir Alan has successfully steered the MCA through changes to modernise Her Majesty’s Coastguard, new arrangements for the UK’s search and rescue helicopter capability, a transformed survey and inspection capability and a more commercially responsive approach to how the UK Ship Register operates. Sir Alan will continue his role until late 2018, to allow the appointment process for a successor to take place.

Bernadette Kelly, permanent secretary of the Department of Transport, said Continue reading “Maritime & Coastguard Agency CEO Sir Alan Massey announces his retirement”

MCA amends its Code of Safe Working Practices

A high vis vest that says 'MCA Surveys and Inspections'The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published an updated version of the ‘Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers’. The amendments give advice on improving health and safety of seafarers, primarily for those on board UK registered ships. But surveyors should also take note.

The Code provides guidance on safe working practices for the many and numerous situations that occur on ships.

However, it should not be considered a comprehensive guide to safety and its advice should always be considered in conjunction with the Continue reading “MCA amends its Code of Safe Working Practices”

MCA issues MGN 578 about conducting overside work on yachts and other vessels

MGN 578 has been released by the UK MCA
MGN 578 has been released by the UK MCA

The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency has published a Marine Guidance Note – MGN 578 – about the use of equipment while undertaking work on commercial yachts, small commercial vessels and loadline vessels.

The aim of Marine Guidance Note MGN 578 is to provide guidance on the use of “rail and trolley” and similar systems while conducting overside work on yachts and other vessels. The key points are the following:

– To ensure that new systems comply with the current BS/EN Standards,
Continue reading “MCA issues MGN 578 about conducting overside work on yachts and other vessels”

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