Maritime & Coastguard Agency Surveys 

Certification of Vessels under the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) "Code of Practice for Small Commercial Vessels"

UK vessels in commercial use, up to 24 metres (loadline) length and which go to sea carrying no more than 12 passengers and/or cargo, need to comply with the new harmonised MCA Code of Practice. The code covers:

Workboats
Small commercial sailing vessels
Small commercial motor vessels
Vessels operating from a nominated departure point

The various Codes have now been integrated and a new fully harmonised code is soon expected to be ratified by Government and become law.

In addition to boats that require to be coded some Owners may elect to have their boat coded and operate it commercially for tax purposes. For example if a boat is used soley for commercial purposes it may be possible to claim VAT back on the purchase price and running costs. 

A copy of the harmonised code (as Marine Guidance Note 280) can be downloaded from the MCA website here...

How we can help

Ray Johnston is a Full Surveyor Member and also a Nominated Surveyor of the YDSA Certifying Authority and as such is authorised to carry out Compliance Examinations on behalf of the MCA to enable vessels to be certificated under the MCA Codes of Compliance for Small Commercial Vessels up to 24m load line length. Vessels in all categories (0-6) can to be certificated and we have successfully certificated in excess of 150 yachts around the world including fleets of charter vessels operating in various areas of Spain.

The Code itself is a very comprehensive 148 page document and may seem a little daunting at first glance when contemplating having your boat “coded.”

We provide a full consultancy service for owners to guide them through the process of bringing their vessel up to Code Standard. We will then carry out a full Compliance Examination of the vessel and her equipment, carry out inclining experiments and gather stability data, completing all the necessary documentation for submission to the MCA Certifying Authority.

Throughout the process we are available by phone at any time to help and advise on all aspects of getting your boat through the "Code."

MCA Tonnage & Registration Surveys

Introduction

Ray Johnston is also an authorised surveyor of the MCA to carry out Tonnage Measurement Surveys, which consist of a short survey whereby a number of specific measurements and registration details of your particular vessel are recorded to enable us to make tonnage calculations. This data is then used to compile a Tonnage Measurement Certificate, which along with other documentation is used to obtain Part I British registration.

The main reason for registering a ship has always been to prove its nationality and as proof of title. For Merchant/ Pleasure ships Part I British registration is essential for overseas voyages. Another reason for Part I British registration is to use the ship as security to obtain a marine mortgage which in turn is registered. Purchasers of UK registered ships can obtain a Transcript of Registry, which shows the registered owners of a ship and whether there are any outstanding Mortgages recorded against that vessel.

Registering Pleasure Vessels (SSR)

Part III British registration is also known as registration on the Small Ships Register (SSR). This is a less formal registration, which can be applied for online through either the RYA or the MCA. It is designed for use with pleasure vessels only.

This is not proof of ownership nor provides the vessel with the same lodged registration details as the Part I, however most European countries accept the SSR certificate as a form of UK identification. It is not possible for a finance company to register their title against a SSR Certificate of Registration.

Please contact Ray Johnston for further details with regards to registering your vessel using either Part I or Part III (SSR) British registration. We can forward you any relevant application forms online.