Vessel classification and certification - GOV.UK

Merchant ships: classification and certification Skiptomaincontent CookiesonGOV.UK Weusesomeessentialcookiestomakethiswebsitework. We’dliketosetadditionalcookiestounderstandhowyouuseGOV.UK,rememberyoursettingsandimprovegovernmentservices. Wealsousecookiessetbyothersitestohelpusdelivercontentfromtheirservices. Acceptadditionalcookies Rejectadditionalcookies Viewcookies Youcanchangeyourcookiesettingsatanytime. Hidethismessage HerMajestyQueenElizabethII 21April1926to8September2022 ReadaboutthearrangementsfollowingTheQueen’sdeath Home Shipregistration Guidance Vesselclassificationandcertification Classandpermitteduseofpassengerships,cargoships,tankers,tugs,tenders,fishingboats,yachts,commercialvessels,andtherequiredcertificates. From: MaritimeandCoastguardAgency Published 9October2012 Lastupdated 18July2018 — Seeallupdates Getemailsaboutthispage Contents Introduction CertificationrequirementsforUKvessels Merchantships:classificationandcertification Passengerships:classificationandcertification Smallcommercialvesselsandpilotboatscertification Largecommercialyachtsclassificationandcertification Fishingvessels:classificationandcertification Organisationsthatcanhelp Furtherinformation Documentinformation Printthispage Introduction AllseagoingvesselsregisteredintheUKareassignedtoaspecificclass,whichdefinestheirtypeofpermitteduse,determineswhichcertificationtheymustholdandspecifiestheinspectionandsurveyregimerequiredtocomplywiththiscertification.TheseclassesareestablishedandassignedbytheRecognisedClassificationSocieties,whoalsoapprovesurveysandinspections. ThisguideexplainsthemainclassesofUK-registeredseagoingvessels,andgivesoutlinedetailsofthestatutorycertificatestheymustcarry. CertificationrequirementsforUKvessels ThecertificatesthatyoumustcarryforUK-registeredvesselsvaryaccordingtotheirtype,grosstonnage(gt),typeofcargoandwhethertheyareonadomesticorinternationalvoyage. Thefollowingisanoutlineofthemaincertificationrequirements: passengershipsafetycertificate-forallpassengerships cargoshipsafetyradiocertificate-forcargoships,oiltankers,chemicaltankersorgascarriersandlargecommercialyachtsover300gtoninternationalvoyagesonly cargoshipsafetyequipmentcertificate-forcargoships,oiltankers,chemicaltankersorgascarriersandlargecommercialyachtsover500gtoninternationalvoyagesonly cargoshipsafetyconstructioncertificate-forcargoships,oiltankers,chemicaltankersorgascarriersandlargecommercialyachtsover500gtoninternationalvoyagesonly cargoshipsafetycertificate-forcargoships,oiltankers,chemicaltankersorgascarriersandlargecommercialyachtsover300gt loadlinecertificate-forpassengershipsinnon-UKwaters,cargoships,oiltankers,chemicaltankersorgascarriersandlargecommercialyachtsover24metresinlength(ifbuiltonorafter21July1968)orofmorethan150gtandforpassengershipsinUKwatersover80nettonnes oilpollutionpreventioncertificate-forfishingvessels,passengerships,cargoships,chemicaltankersorgascarriersandlargecommercialyachtsover400gtandoiltankersover150gt minimumsafemanningdocumentcertificate-forpassengerships,cargoships,oiltankers,chemicaltankersorgascarriersandlargecommercialyachtsover500gt safetymanagementcertificate-forallpassengershipsandforcargoships,oiltankers,chemicaltankersorgascarriersandlargecommercialyachtsover500gt shipsecuritycertificate-forpassengerships,cargoshipsoiltankers,chemicaltankersorgascarriersandlargecommercialyachtsoninternationalvoyagesonly sewagepollutioncertificate-forfishingvessels,passengerships,cargoships,oiltankers,chemicaltankersorgascarriersandlargecommercialyachtsof400gtormore,orcarrying15personsormoreoninternationalvoyagesonly airpollutioncertificate-forfishingvessels,passengerships,cargoships,oiltankers,chemicaltankersorgascarriersandlargecommercialyachtsof400gtormore anti-foulingdeclaration-forfishingvesselsunder24metresinlengthoroflessthan400gt anti-foulingcertificate-forfishingvessels,passengerships,cargoships,oiltankers,chemicaltankersorgascarriersandlargecommercialyachtsof400gtormore certificateoffitness(chemicalorgas)certificate-forallchemicaltankersorgascarriers dangerousgoodscertificate-forpassengershipsbuiltafter1September1984,andforcargoshipsafteracertaindateofbuildoninternationalvoyagesonly certificateofcomplianceforalargecharteryacht-foralllargepassengeryachts UKfishingvesselcertificate-forfishingvesselsbetween15and24metresinlength internationalfishingvesselcertificate-forfishingvesselsover24metresinlength smallcommercialvesselcertificate-forpilotboatsandsmallcommercialvesselsunder24metresinlength certificateofregistry-mandatoryforallfishingvessels,optionalforpilotboatsandsmallcommercialvessels internationaltonnage-forfishingvesselsunder24metresinlength Merchantships:classificationandcertification Merchantshipsareclassifiedbythetypeofcargothattheycarry(generalcargo,oil,chemicals,gasetc),theirgtandthevoyagestheyundertake,whichcanbe: inshore,intheseaareasaroundtheUK-fordetailsofthese,downloadMarineShippingNotice(MSN)1747TheMerchantShipping(DomesticVoyages)Regulations2000  shortinternational-whentheshipisnevermorethan200nauticalmiles(nm)fromaportorplaceofsafety,andonwhichthereisnomorethan600nmbetweenthefinaldepartureportandthefirstdestinationport longinternational-allothervoyagesbetweenportsintwocountriestowhichtheInternationalConventionfortheSafetyofLifeatSea(SOLAS)applies Theclassesofmerchantvesselsareasfollows: ClassVII-ships(otherthanthoseinClassesVII(A),VII(T),XIandXII)engagedonvoyages,anyofwhicharelonginternationalvoyages ClassVII(A)-shipsemployedasfishprocessingorcanningfactoryshipsandshipsengagedinthecarriageofpersonsemployedinthefishprocessingorcanningindustries ClassVII(T)-tankersengagedonvoyages,anyofwhicharelonginternationalvoyages ClassVIII-ships(otherthanshipsofClassesVIII(T),IX,XIandXII)engagedonlyonshortinternationalvoyages ClassVIII(T)-tankersengagedonvoyages,anyofwhichareshortinternationalvoyages ClassVIII(A)-ships(otherthanshipsofVIII(A)(T),IX,IX(A),IX(A)(T),XIandXII)engagedonlyonvoyageswhicharenotinternationalvoyages-thisclassincludessmallcommercialvessels ClassVIII(A)(T)-tankersengagedonlyonvoyageswhicharenotinternationalvoyages ClassIX-tugsandtenderswhichgotoseabutnotonlonginternationalvoyages Certificationformerchantships Thecertificatesthatmerchantshipsmustcarryvaryaccordingtoclass,typeofcargoandsize.ThefollowingisanoutlineofthemaincertificationrequirementsforUKships: cargoshipsafetyradiocertificate-forcargoships,oiltankersandchemicaltankersorgascarriersover300gtoninternationalvoyagesonly cargoshipsafetyequipmentcertificate-forcargoships,oiltankersandchemicaltankersorgascarriersover500gtoninternationalvoyagesonly cargoshipsafetyconstructioncertificate-forcargoships,oiltankersandchemicaltankersorgascarriersover500gtoninternationalvoyagesonly cargoshipsafetycertificate-forcargoships,oiltankersandchemicaltankersorgascarriersover300gt loadlinecertificate-forcargoships,oiltankersandchemicaltankersorgascarriersover24metresinlength(ifbuiltonorafter21July1968)orofmorethan150gt oilpollutionpreventioncertificate-forcargoshipsandchemicaltankersorgascarriersover400gtandoiltankersover150gt minimumsafemanningdocumentcertificate-forcargoships,oiltankersandchemicaltankersorgascarriersover500gt safetymanagementcertificate-forallpassengerships,andforcargoships,oiltankers,chemicaltankersorgascarriersandlargecommercialyachtsover500gt shipsecuritycertificate-forcargoships,oiltankersandchemicaltankersorgascarriersoninternationalvoyagesonly sewagepollutioncertificate-forcargoships,oiltankersandchemicaltankersorgascarriersof400gtormore,orcarrying15personsormore,oninternationalvoyagesonly airpollutioncertificate-forcargoships,oiltankersandchemicaltankersorgascarriersof400gtormore anti-foulingcertificate-forcargoships,oiltankersandchemicaltankersorgascarriersof400gtormore certificateoffitness(chemicalorgas)certificate-forallchemicaltankersorgascarriers dangerousgoodscertificate-forcargoshipsafteracertaindateofbuild,oninternationalvoyagesonly Forinformationaboutrequirementsforthecertification,seetheguidancetolegislation Passengerships:classificationandcertification Passenger-carryingshipsareclassifiedprimarilyonwhethertheyoperateinshoreoronshortorlonginternationalvoyages. Theclassesofpassengershipsareasfollows: ClassI-shipsengagedonvoyagesanyofwhicharelonginternationalvoyages. ClassII-shipsengagedonlyonvoyagesanyofwhichareshortinternationalvoyages. ClassII(A)-shipsengagedonvoyagesofanykindotherthaninternationalvoyages,whicharenotshipsofClassesIIItoVI(A). ClassIII-shipsengagedonlyonvoyagesinthecourseofwhichtheyareatnotimemorethan70milesbyseafromtheirpointofdepartureandnotmorethan18milesfromthecoastoftheUKandwhichareatseaonlyinfavourableweatherandduringrestrictedperiods. ClassVI-shipsengagedonlyonvoyageswithnotmorethan250passengersonboard.Infavourableweatherandduringrestrictedperiods,inthecourseofwhichtheshipsareatnotimemorethan15milesfromtheirpointofdeparture,normorethan3milesfromland. ClassVI(A)-shipscarryingnotmorethan50passengersforadistanceofnotmorethan6miles.VoyagestoorfromisolatedcommunitiesontheislandsorcoastoftheUKandwhichdonotproceedforadistanceofmorethan3milesfromland-thisissubjecttoanyconditionswhichtheSecretaryofStatemayimpose. Additionalclassificationsforinshoreshipsare: ClassA-passengershipsengagedondomesticvoyagesotherthanvoyagescoveredbyClassesB,CandD ClassB-apassengershipengagedondomesticvoyagesinthecourseofwhichitisatnotimemorethan20milesfromthelineofthecoast ClassC-apassengershipengagedondomesticvoyagesinseaareaswheretheprobabilityofexceeding2.5metressignificantwaveheightislessthan10%overaone-yearperiodforall-yearroundoperation;oroperatingoveraspecificrestrictedperiod(egsummer)inthecourseofwhichitisatnotimemorethan15milesfromaplaceofrefuge,normorethan5milesfromthelineofthecoast ClassD-apassengershipengagedondomesticvoyagesinseaareaswheretheprobabilityofexceeding1.5metressignificantwaveheightislessthan10%overaone-yearperiodforall-yearroundoperation;oroperatingoveraspecificrestrictedperiod(egsummer)inthecourseofwhichitisatnotimemorethan15milesfromaplaceofrefuge,normorethan5milesfromthelineofthecoast Certificationforpassengerships Thecertificatesthatpassengershipsmustcarryvaryaccordingtotheirgt.ThefollowingisanoutlineofthemaincertificationrequirementsforUKships: passengershipsafetycertificate loadlinecertificaterequiredforpassengershipseitheroperatinginUKwatersandofmorethan80grosstonnes(gt)oroperatinginnon-UKwatersandof24metreslength(ifkeelwaslaidonorafter21July1968)orofmorethan150gt oilpollutionpreventioncertificate-shipsof400gtormore minimumsafemanningdocument-shipsof500gtormore safetymanagementcertificate shipsecuritycertificate-shipsoninternationalvoyages sewagepollutioncertificate-shipsof400gtormore,orcarrying15personsandoninternationalvoyages airpollutioncertificate-shipsof400gtormore-applicationtoshipsotherthanoninternationalvoyagesnotyetconfirmed anti-foulingcertificate-shipsof400gtormore dangerousgoodscertificate-shipsbuiltafter1September1984oninternationalvoyagesonly Smallcommercialvesselsandpilotboatscertification TheoperationofsmallcommercialvesselsintheUKiscoveredbytheSmallCommercialVesselCodesofPractice.TheCodesdefinesmallcommercialvesselsasthoseoflessthan24metresloadlinelength(orunder150tonnesifbuiltbefore21July1968)whichareengagedatseaandarenotpleasurevessels.. ThesevesselsareclassedasClassVIII(A). TheCodesregulationsandclassificationsapplytoUKregisteredvesselsandallothervesselswhichareregisteredorownedinanothercountrybutoperatefromaUKportwhileinUKwaters. PleasurevesselsarenotcoveredbytheCodes. ToviewtheYellow,Blue,BrownandRedCodespleaseclickhere. DownloadMarineGuidanceNote(MGN)280(M)SmallVesselsinCommercialUseforSportorPleasure,WorkboatsandPilotBoatsstandardsfromthe MCAwebsite(PDF,921K). Certificationforsmallvessels Thespecifictypeofcertificateissueddependsonoperationalactivitiesofthevessel-differentcertificatesareissuedforvesselsusedcommerciallyforsportorpleasure,workboatsandpilotboats.Commercialvesselsthatare24metresload-linelengthoroveraretreatedascargoships. Forinformationaboutrequirementsforthecertification,seetheguidancetolegislation Largecommercialyachtsclassificationandcertification Largecommercialyachtsaredefinedasthosevesselswhichare: incommercialuseforsportorpleasure 24metresloadlinelengthormoreorover150grosstonnesifbuiltbefore21July1968 carrynocargoandnomorethan12passengers areincommercialuseforsportorpleasure Certificationforlargecommercialyachts Thecertificatesthatlargecommercialyachtsmustcarryvaryaccordingtotheirgt.FurtherinformationonthiscanbefoundinSection28oftheLargeCommercialYachtCode.YoucandownloadMSN1792(M)LargeCommercialYachtCode(LY2). Forinformationaboutrequirementsforthecertification,seetheguidancetolegislation Fishingvessels:classificationandcertification Fishingvesselsareclassifiedbylength.Ingeneral,operationoffishingvesselsoflessthan24metresregisteredlengtharecoveredbyTheCodeofPracticefortheSafetyofSmallFishingVesselsoflessthan15mLengthOverallandTheCodeofSafeWorkingPracticefortheConstructionandUseofFishingVesselsof15mLengthOveralltolessthan24mRegisteredLengthFishingVessels. FishingVesselsof24metresinlengthandoverarecoveredTheCodeofPracticefortheConstructionandSafeOperationofFishingVesselsof24mRegisteredLengthandOver. DownloadMSN1871(F)TheCodeofSafeWorkingPracticefortheConstructionandUseofFishingVesselsof15mLengthOveralltolessthan24mRegisteredLength. DownloadMSN1872(F)TheCodeofSafeWorkingPracticefortheConstructionandUseofFishingVesselsof15mLengthOveralltolessthan24mRegisteredLength DownloadMSN1873(F)TheCodeofPracticefortheConstructionandSafeOperationofFishingVesselsof24mRegisteredLengthandOver Certificationoffishingvessels Fishingvesselsareexemptfromsomecertificationrequirements,althoughotherspecialisedcertificatesmustbecarried,asfollows: Smallfishingvesselcertificate UKfishingvesselcertificate-forvessels15-24metres internationalfishingvesselcertificate-forvessels24metresorlonger oilpollutionpreventioncertificate airpollutioncertificate-vesselsof400grosstonnes(gt)ormore sewagepollutioncertificate-vesselsof400gtormore,orcarrying15persons,andoninternationalvoyages anti-foulingdeclaration-vesselsoflessthan24metresinlengthandlessthan400gt anti-foulingcertificate-vesselsof400gtormore internationaltonnagecertificate-vesselsof400gtormore Forinformationaboutrequirementsforthecertification,seetheguidancetolegislation Organisationsthatcanhelp Aswellasguidanceonspecifictypesofvessel,moregeneralinformationonclassification,certificationandotherissuesrelatedtotheoperationofcommercialshippingisavailablefromtheMCAandtheInternationalMaritimeOrganization(IMO). ReadabouttheIMO’swork. FullinformationonUKregulationsandprocedures,includingdetailsofthecertificatesthatmustbecarriedonUK-registeredshipscanbefoundinMCA’sMaster’sguidetotheUKflag. Furtherinformation DownloadthesmallcraftcodesfromtheMCAwebsite DownloadMSN1792(M)LargeCommercialYachtCode(LY2) DownloadMSN1871(F)TheCodeofSafeWorkingPracticefortheConstructionandUseofFishingVesselsof15mLengthOveralltolessthan24mRegisteredLength. DownloadMSN1872(F)TheCodeofSafeWorkingPracticefortheConstructionandUseofFishingVesselsof15mLengthOveralltolessthan24mRegisteredLength DownloadMSN1873(F)TheCodeofPracticefortheConstructionandSafeOperationofFishingVesselsof24mRegisteredLengthandOver FishingVessel(CodesofPractice)Regulations2017 OrganisationinformationontheMCAwebsite AgencyoverviewontheIMOwebsite DownloadtheMaster’sguidetotheUKflagfromtheMCAwebsite(PDF,5.59MB) Contents Documentinformation Published:9October2012 Updated:23October2017 From:MaritimeandCoastguardAgency Partof:ShipregistrationSurveysandinspections Published9October2012 Lastupdated18July2018 + showallupdates 18July2018 Linksupdated 22November2017 Updatedtextandlinks 9October2012 Firstpublished. 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