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/mcga-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Previous codes, now superseded, were: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.
Tonnage Measurements
Vessels up to 24 metres Load Line Length, excluding Fishing Vessels, may be measured by I.I.M.S. Measurers for tonnage using the “Simplified” method by measuring overall length, breadth and depth. Below is the Measurement Procedure for vessels under 24 metres overall length.
Metric measurements are now used to the nearest 1/100 metre (centimetres) rather than the 1/10 foot. The Tonnage calculations are used as follows using outlined definitions. Briefly the calculation is as follows:
Length overall x Breath x Depth x 0,16
(Please contact our offices for more
explicit details)
If the length overall is over 24 metres she can still be measured but the measurer must also ensure that the vessel is under both 24 metres Load Line Length and Registered Length as defined below. It may be helpful to consult the drawings of the vessel when determining Load Line and registered length. Great Care is needed to ensure she really is under 24 metres Load Line Length.
LOAD LINE LENGTH is defined as
the greater of the following distances:
The distance between the fore part of the
stem to the aft and the axis of the rudder
stock OR 96% of the distance between the
fore side of the stem and the aft of the
stern. The points and measurements being
taken respectively at and along a waterline
at 85% of the least moulded depth of the
ship. In the case of a ship having a rake
of keel the waterline shall be parallel to
the designed waterline.
REGISTERED LENGTH is the length from the fore part of the stem to the aft side of the stern post (or in a ship not having a stern post) to the fore side of the rudder stock at the point where the rudder stock passes out of the hull. In ships not having a stern post or rudder stock the after terminal point is taken to the outer face of the transom or stem of the ship. With regard to the forward terminal the measurement is to be taken to the forward face of the structure above the deepest load waterline which is an integral part of the ship, being connected by welding or riveting but not bolts, and do not include bulbous or ram bows.
Explanation of Load Line Length
LOAD LINE LENGTH is an IMO (International Maritime Organisation) term and was an attempt to ignore funny shaped ships being built to cheat length. What they are defining is a length at 85% of the height of the hull above the top of the keel measured parallel to the waterline and thus ignoring the upper sections of flared bows, counter stems etc.
REGISTERED LENGTH is the old way of measuring length and is often still quoted in the U.K. again it may be helpful to consult the drawings of the vessel if determining load line and registered lengths.
All this may seem daunting but we can supply
documentation on request which explains in
depth the various points of measurement used
and all relevant terms involved.
All the forms which you will require for
requesting an “APPLICATION for TONNAGE
MEASUREMENT” and Application for MCA
Coding through the Certifying Authority form
reference “SCV1” may be emailed
or posted on request.
Please feel free to contact us for a quote and to discuss your particular requirements.