MCA Coding
Certifying a yacht under the MCA codes of practice.
Practice cover the construction, machinery, stability, operation, and examination of sailing and motor vessels of up to 24 metres load line length, in commercial use for sport or pleasure and which do not carry cargo or more than 12 passengers.
The codes apply to individual owners or managing agents as well as proprietors, clubs, and associations whether corporate or private.
Examinations are carried out by Authorised Surveyors who by reason of relevant professional qualifications, practical experience or expertise are authorised by the Certifying Authority chosen by the owner/managing agent.
We are Authorised Surveyors to provide SCV coding for vessels registered in the UK and Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, and Jersey.
Since 1998, we have coded a large number of sailing and motor yachts of all types and size.
As qualified Naval Architects and YDSA Level 1 Nominated Surveyors, we can produce and complete stability books for Category 0 and 1 operation in-house.
A failure to comply with the Codes may constitute a breach of the warranty of legality to which all yacht insurance policies are subject and which would render the policy void. If the failure also makes the yacht unseaworthy, insurers would be entitled to avoid any claim which resulted from the unseaworthiness; equally, non-compliance may cause an owner to be in breach of the "due diligence" provision which is included in most yacht insurance policies, thereby causing a claim to fail if arising out of the non-compliance.
British registered commercially operated or charter yachts are required by law to comply with the standards contained in the MCA Codes of Practice for small commercial vessels.
1. The Load Line length means either 96% of the total length on a waterline at 85% of the least moulded depth measured from the top of the keel, or the length from the foreside of the stem to the axis of the rudder stock on that waterline, whichever is the greater.