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Commercial Craft Regulations

Vessels in commercial use for sport or pleasure must be compliant with the relevant Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) "Code of Practice".

The codes of practice detail both the equipment a vessel must have onboard and the certificate of competence required by the skipper (and in some cases the crew) of the vessel. Boat authorised to take fare paying passengers should as a result be well found and equipped with the appropriate safety gear, all in working order.

The RYA is one of a number of organisations approved by the MCA as a a Small Commercial Vessel (SCV) Certification Authority to administer the examination and periodic inspection of small boat in commercial use.

In some cases boats owned by clubs may fall under the codes of practice and in other cases they may be expempt. RYA guidance is offered for clubs.

For boats that are not "going to sea" i.e. remaining within Categorised Waters (as defined in MSN 1837), please refer to the Inland Regulations page.

MCA Codes: MCA Codes of Practice Get your charter or commercially operated craft certificated by the RYA and you could save yourself money. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Codes of Practice for Small

Five minute briefing - MCA Coding: This article, which appeared in the March 2012 edition of the RYA's e-newsletter Up to Speed, provides a simple overview of MCA Coding; what it is, when it is required and how you go about it.