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:

1. •    Workboats
   

2. •    Small commercial sailing vessels
   

3. •    Small commercial motor vessels
   

4. •    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 solely 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.

How can RJ Marine Surveys help?

Ray Johnston is a Fellow and Full Surveyor Member and also a Nominated Surveyor of the YDSA Certifying Authority and stands on the Certifying Authority Committee and past Chairman. 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 200 yachts around the world including fleets of charter vessels operating in various areas of Spain.

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

Added to this we now have the Maritime Labour Convention which all commercial vessels operating in foreign waters must comply with by August 2014. Once again we can guide you through the documentation required and carry out the necessary inspection for the “coded vessel” to secure MLC Cerrtification. 

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."

If required we can supply and install all the required safety equipment to ensure full compliance with the MCA Code of Compliance for Small Commercial Vessels.

New Workboat Code:

A draft of the new Workboat Code has now been published and this provides a specialised code for all workboat vessels including those with lifting aparatus and towing capability, wind farm support vessels and pilot boats.  Workboats now form a large proportion of our work.

IMCA - CMID Inspections or Surveys

We are authorised by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) to conduct Common Marine Inspections of Small Commercial Workboats known as CMID inspections.  We also undertake periodic audits of these vessels as required.

Registration Services

As a company we can provide assistance and consultancy with all registration matters

MCA Tonnage & Registration Surveys

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.

As a company we can provide a full registration service to owners of vessel wanting to secure Part I British Registration. 

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.