Mark Dorrington-Niblett is authorised by the IIMS and YDSA Certifying Authorities to undertake examinations in connection with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Codes of Practice for Small Commercial Vessels.
Small commercially operated vessels, up to 24 metres load line length, and carrying no more than 12 passengers, are legally required to comply with the relevant Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Codes of Practice for the Safety of Small Commercial Sailing and Motor vessels. Similarly, small commercial workboats also have to comply with the relevant MCA Codes of Practice.
The Code MGN 280 has been developed for application to United Kingdom (UK) vessels up to 24 metres load line length which are engaged at sea in activities on a commercial basis, which carry cargo and/or not more than 12 passengers, or provide a service in which neither cargo nor cargo are carried, or are UK pilot boats of whatever size. Information can be found on the MCA website: http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga07-home.htm
Previous codes, now superseded, were:
- Yellow Code: The safety of Small Commercial Motor Vessels
- Blue Code: The Safety of Small Commercial Sailing Vessels
- Brown Code: The Safety of Small Workboats and Pilot Boats
- Red Code: The Safety of Small Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure Operating from a Nominated Departure Point
The new code draws together in one publication a rationalisation of the existing requirements contained in the previous four separate codes. Areas of Operation under the harmonized code are:
- Area category 6: To sea within 3 miles from a nominated departure point(s) named in the certificate and never more than 3 miles from land, in favourable weather and daylight
- Area Category 5: To sea within 20 miles from a nominated departure point named in the certificate in favourable weather and daylight
- Area Category 4: Up to 20 miles from a safe haven, in favourable weather and in daylight
- Area Category 3: Up to 20 miles from a safe haven
- Area Category 2: Up to 60 miles from a safe haven
- Area Category 1: Up to 150 miles from a safe haven
- Area Category 0: Unrestricted service
Mark Dorrington-Niblett is authorised by the IIMS Certifying Authority to undertake examinations in connection with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Codes of Practice for Small Commercial Vessels.
