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VesselclassificationandcertificationDetailedguidanceGOV.UK

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Shipsandcargoes(https://www.gov.uk/shipscargoes)guidance
Vesselclassificationandcertification
From:
Firstpublished:
Partof:

MaritimeandCoastguardAgency(https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/maritimeandcoastguardagency)
9October2012
Shipregistration(https://www.gov.uk/shipscargoes/shipregistration) ,Shipsandcargoes
(https://www.gov.uk/shipscargoes) ,Surveysandinspections(https://www.gov.uk/shipscargoes/surveysinspections) ,Maritime
andfreshwaterbusinesses(https://www.gov.uk/browse/business/maritime/maritimeandfreshwaterbusinesses) andRuraland
countryside(https://www.gov.uk/government/topics/ruralandcountryside)

Classandpermitteduseofpassengerships,cargoships,tankers,tugs,tenders,fishingboats,yachts,commercialvessels,
andtherequiredcertificates.

Introduction
AllseagoingvesselsregisteredintheUKareassignedtoaspecificclass,whichdefinestheirtypeofpermitteduse,
determineswhichcertificationtheymustholdandspecifiestheinspectionandsurveyregimerequiredtocomplywiththis
certification.TheseclassesareestablishedandassignedbytheRecognisedClassificationSocieties,whoalsoapprove
surveysandinspections.
ThisguideexplainsthemainclassesofUKregisteredseagoingvessels,andgivesoutlinedetailsofthestatutorycertificates
theymustcarry.

CertificationrequirementsforUKvessels
ThecertificatesthatyoumustcarryforUKregisteredvesselsvaryaccordingtotheirtype,grosstonnage(gt),typeofcargo
andwhethertheyareonadomesticorinternationalvoyage.
Thefollowingisanoutlineofthemaincertificationrequirements:

passengershipsafetycertificateforallpassengerships
cargoshipsafetyradiocertificateforcargoships,oiltankers,chemicaltankersorgascarriersandlargecommercial
yachtsover300gtoninternationalvoyagesonly
cargoshipsafetyequipmentcertificateforcargoships,oiltankers,chemicaltankersorgascarriersandlarge
commercialyachtsover500gtoninternationalvoyagesonly
cargoshipsafetyconstructioncertificateforcargoships,oiltankers,chemicaltankersorgascarriersandlarge
commercialyachtsover500gtoninternationalvoyagesonly
cargoshipsafetycertificateforcargoships,oiltankers,chemicaltankersorgascarriersandlargecommercialyachts
over300gt
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loadlinecertificateforpassengershipsinnonUKwaters,cargoships,oiltankers,chemicaltankersorgascarriers
andlargecommercialyachtsover24metresinlength(ifbuiltonorafter21July1968)orofmorethan150gtandfor
passengershipsinUKwatersover80nettonnes
oilpollutionpreventioncertificateforfishingvessels,passengerships,cargoships,chemicaltankersorgascarriers
andlargecommercialyachtsover400gtandoiltankersover150gt
minimumsafemanningdocumentcertificateforpassengerships,cargoships,oiltankers,chemicaltankersorgas
carriersandlargecommercialyachtsover500gt
safetymanagementcertificateforallpassengershipsandforcargoships,oiltankers,chemicaltankersorgas
carriersandlargecommercialyachtsover500gt
shipsecuritycertificateforpassengerships,cargoshipsoiltankers,chemicaltankersorgascarriersandlarge
commercialyachtsoninternationalvoyagesonly
sewagepollutioncertificateforfishingvessels,passengerships,cargoships,oiltankers,chemicaltankersorgas
carriersandlargecommercialyachtsof400gtormore,orcarrying15personsormoreoninternationalvoyagesonly
airpollutioncertificateforfishingvessels,passengerships,cargoships,oiltankers,chemicaltankersorgascarriers
andlargecommercialyachtsof400gtormore
antifoulingdeclarationforfishingvesselsunder24metresinlengthoroflessthan400gt
antifoulingcertificateforfishingvessels,passengerships,cargoships,oiltankers,chemicaltankersorgascarriers
andlargecommercialyachtsof400gtormore
certificateoffitness(chemicalorgas)certificateforallchemicaltankersorgascarriers
dangerousgoodscertificateforpassengershipsbuiltafter1September1984,andforcargoshipsafteracertain
dateofbuildoninternationalvoyagesonly
certificateofcomplianceforalargecharteryachtforalllargepassengeryachts
UKfishingvesselcertificateforfishingvesselsbetween15and24metresinlength
internationalfishingvesselcertificateforfishingvesselsover24metresinlength
smallcommercialvesselcertificateforpilotboatsandsmallcommercialvesselsunder24metresinlength
certificateofregistrymandatoryforallfishingvessels,optionalforpilotboatsandsmallcommercialvessels
internationaltonnageforfishingvesselsunder24metresinlength

Merchantships:classificationandcertification
Merchantshipsareclassifiedbythetypeofcargothattheycarry(generalcargo,oil,chemicals,gasetc),theirgtandthe
voyagestheyundertake,whichcanbe:

inshore,intheseaareasaroundtheUKfordetailsofthese,downloadMarineShippingNotice(MSN)1747The
MerchantShipping(DomesticVoyages)Regulations2000(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/msn1747sea
areascouncildirective9818ec)
shortinternationalwhentheshipisnevermorethan200nauticalmiles(nm)fromaportorplaceofsafety,andon
whichthereisnomorethan600nmbetweenthefinaldepartureportandthefirstdestinationport
longinternationalallothervoyagesbetweenportsintwocountriestowhichtheInternationalConventionforthe
SafetyofLifeatSea(SOLAS)applies
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Theclassesofmerchantvesselsareasfollows:

ClassVIIships(otherthanthoseinClassesVII(A),VII(T),XIandXII)engagedonvoyages,anyofwhicharelong
internationalvoyages
ClassVII(A)shipsemployedasfishprocessingorcanningfactoryshipsandshipsengagedinthecarriageof
personsemployedinthefishprocessingorcanningindustries
ClassVII(T)tankersengagedonvoyages,anyofwhicharelonginternationalvoyages
ClassVIIIships(otherthanshipsofClassesVIII(T),IX,XIandXII)engagedonlyonshortinternationalvoyages
ClassVIII(T)tankersengagedonvoyages,anyofwhichareshortinternationalvoyages
ClassVIII(A)ships(otherthanshipsofVIII(A)(T),IX,IX(A),IX(A)(T),XIandXII)engagedonlyonvoyageswhichare
notinternationalvoyagesthisclassincludessmallcommercialvessels
ClassVIII(A)(T)tankersengagedonlyonvoyageswhicharenotinternationalvoyages
ClassIXtugsandtenderswhichgotoseabutnotonlonginternationalvoyages

Certificationformerchantships
Thecertificatesthatmerchantshipsmustcarryvaryaccordingtoclass,typeofcargoandsize.Thefollowingisanoutlineof
themaincertificationrequirementsforUKships:

cargoshipsafetyradiocertificateforcargoships,oiltankersandchemicaltankersorgascarriersover300gton
internationalvoyagesonly
cargoshipsafetyequipmentcertificateforcargoships,oiltankersandchemicaltankersorgascarriersover500gt
oninternationalvoyagesonly
cargoshipsafetyconstructioncertificateforcargoships,oiltankersandchemicaltankersorgascarriersover500gt
oninternationalvoyagesonly
cargoshipsafetycertificateforcargoships,oiltankersandchemicaltankersorgascarriersover300gt
loadlinecertificateforcargoships,oiltankersandchemicaltankersorgascarriersover24metresinlength(ifbuilt
onorafter21July1968)orofmorethan150gt
oilpollutionpreventioncertificateforcargoshipsandchemicaltankersorgascarriersover400gtandoiltankers
over150gt
minimumsafemanningdocumentcertificateforcargoships,oiltankersandchemicaltankersorgascarriersover
500gt
safetymanagementcertificateforallpassengerships,andforcargoships,oiltankers,chemicaltankersorgas
carriersandlargecommercialyachtsover500gt
shipsecuritycertificateforcargoships,oiltankersandchemicaltankersorgascarriersoninternationalvoyages
only
sewagepollutioncertificateforcargoships,oiltankersandchemicaltankersorgascarriersof400gtormore,or
carrying15personsormore,oninternationalvoyagesonly
airpollutioncertificateforcargoships,oiltankersandchemicaltankersorgascarriersof400gtormore
antifoulingcertificateforcargoships,oiltankersandchemicaltankersorgascarriersof400gtormore
certificateoffitness(chemicalorgas)certificateforallchemicaltankersorgascarriers
dangerousgoodscertificateforcargoshipsafteracertaindateofbuild,oninternationalvoyagesonly
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Forinformationaboutrequirementsforthecertification,seetheguidancetolegislation(http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07
home/shipsandcargoes/mcgashipsregsandguidance/marinenotices.htm)

Passengerships:classificationandcertification
Passengercarryingshipsareclassifiedprimarilyonwhethertheyoperateinshoreoronshortorlonginternationalvoyages.
Theclassesofpassengershipsareasfollows:

ClassIshipsengagedonvoyagesanyofwhicharelonginternationalvoyages.
ClassIIshipsengagedonlyonvoyagesanyofwhichareshortinternationalvoyages.
ClassII(A)shipsengagedonvoyagesofanykindotherthaninternationalvoyages,whicharenotshipsofClassesIII
toVI(A).
ClassIIIshipsengagedonlyonvoyagesinthecourseofwhichtheyareatnotimemorethan70milesbyseafrom
theirpointofdepartureandnotmorethan18milesfromthecoastoftheUKandwhichareatseaonlyinfavourable
weatherandduringrestrictedperiods.
ClassVIshipsengagedonlyonvoyageswithnotmorethan250passengersonboard.Infavourableweatherand
duringrestrictedperiods,inthecourseofwhichtheshipsareatnotimemorethan15milesfromtheirpointof
departure,normorethan3milesfromland.
ClassVI(A)shipscarryingnotmorethan50passengersforadistanceofnotmorethan6miles.Voyagestoorfrom
isolatedcommunitiesontheislandsorcoastoftheUKandwhichdonotproceedforadistanceofmorethan3miles
fromlandthisissubjecttoanyconditionswhichtheSecretaryofStatemayimpose.
Additionalclassificationsforinshoreshipsare:

ClassApassengershipsengagedondomesticvoyagesotherthanvoyagescoveredbyClassesB,CandD
ClassBapassengershipengagedondomesticvoyagesinthecourseofwhichitisatnotimemorethan20miles
fromthelineofthecoast
ClassCapassengershipengagedondomesticvoyagesinseaareaswheretheprobabilityofexceeding2.5metres
significantwaveheightislessthan10%overaoneyearperiodforallyearroundoperationoroperatingovera
specificrestrictedperiod(egsummer)inthecourseofwhichitisatnotimemorethan15milesfromaplaceofrefuge,
normorethan5milesfromthelineofthecoast
ClassDapassengershipengagedondomesticvoyagesinseaareaswheretheprobabilityofexceeding1.5metres
significantwaveheightislessthan10%overaoneyearperiodforallyearroundoperationoroperatingovera
specificrestrictedperiod(egsummer)inthecourseofwhichitisatnotimemorethan15milesfromaplaceofrefuge,
normorethan5milesfromthelineofthecoast

Certificationforpassengerships
Thecertificatesthatpassengershipsmustcarryvaryaccordingtotheirgt.Thefollowingisanoutlineofthemaincertification
requirementsforUKships:

passengershipsafetycertificate
loadlinecertificaterequiredforpassengershipseitheroperatinginUKwatersandofmorethan80grosstonnes(gt)
oroperatinginnonUKwatersandof24metreslength(ifkeelwaslaidonorafter21July1968)orofmorethan150gt
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oilpollutionpreventioncertificateshipsof400gtormore
minimumsafemanningdocumentshipsof500gtormore
safetymanagementcertificate
shipsecuritycertificateshipsoninternationalvoyages
sewagepollutioncertificateshipsof400gtormore,orcarrying15personsandoninternationalvoyages
airpollutioncertificateshipsof400gtormoreapplicationtoshipsotherthanoninternationalvoyagesnotyet
confirmed
antifoulingcertificateshipsof400gtormore
dangerousgoodscertificateshipsbuiltafter1September1984oninternationalvoyagesonly
Forinformationaboutrequirementsforthecertification,seetheguidancetolegislation(http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07
home/shipsandcargoes/mcgashipsregsandguidance/marinenotices.htm)

Smallcommercialvesselsandpilotboatscertification
TheoperationofsmallcommercialvesselsintheUKiscoveredbytheSmallCommercialVesselCodesofPractice.The
Codesdefinesmallcommercialvesselsasthoseoflessthan24metresloadlinelength(orunder150tonnesifbuiltbefore
21July1968)whichareengagedatseaandarenotpleasurevessels.
ThesevesselsareclassedasClassVIII(A).
TheCodesregulationsandclassificationsapplytoUKregisteredvesselsandallothervesselswhichareregisteredor
ownedinanothercountrybutoperatefromaUKportwhileinUKwaters.
PleasurevesselsarenotcoveredbytheCodes.
DownloadtheYellowCodefromtheMCAwebsite(PDF,156K)(http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/yellow.pdf) .
DownloadtheBlueCodefromtheMCAwebsite(PDF,161K)(http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/blue.pdf) .
DownloadtheBrownCodefromtheMCAwebsite(PDF,349K)(http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/brownwithpage8.pdf) .
DownloadtheRedCodefromtheMCAwebsite(PDF,104K)(http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/red.pdf) .
DownloadMarineGuidanceNote(MGN)280(M)SmallVesselsinCommercialUseforSportorPleasure,Workboatsand
PilotBoatsstandardsfromtheMCAwebsite(PDF,921K)(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mgn280smallvesselsin
commercialuseforsport) .

Certificationforsmallvessels
Thespecifictypeofcertificateissueddependsonoperationalactivitiesofthevesseldifferentcertificatesareissuedfor
vesselsusedcommerciallyforsportorpleasure,workboatsandpilotboats.Commercialvesselsthatare24metresloadline
lengthoroveraretreatedascargoships.
Forinformationaboutrequirementsforthecertification,seetheguidancetolegislation(http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07
home/shipsandcargoes/mcgashipsregsandguidance/marinenotices.htm)

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Largecommercialyachtsclassificationandcertification
Largecommercialyachtsaredefinedasthosevesselswhichare:

incommercialuseforsportorpleasure
24metresloadlinelengthormoreorover150grosstonnesifbuiltbefore21July1968
carrynocargoandnomorethan12passengers
areincommercialuseforsportorpleasure

Certificationforlargecommercialyachts
Thecertificatesthatlargecommercialyachtsmustcarryvaryaccordingtotheirgt.Furtherinformationonthiscanbefoundin
Section28oftheLargeCommercialYachtCode.YoucandownloadMSN1792(M)LargeCommercialYachtCode(LY2)
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/msn1792thelargecommercialyachtcodely2) .
Forinformationaboutrequirementsforthecertification,seetheguidancetolegislation(http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07
home/shipsandcargoes/mcgashipsregsandguidance/marinenotices.htm)

Fishingvessels:classificationandcertification
Fishingvesselsareclassifiedbylength.Ingeneral,operationoffishingvesselsoflessthan24metresregisteredlengthare
coveredbytheSmallFishingVesselsCodeofPractice(lessthan15metresLengthOverall)andtheCodeofSafeWorking
PracticefortheConstructionandUseof15metresLengthOveralltolessthan24metresRegisteredLengthFishingVessels.
FishingVesselsof24metresinlengthandoverarecoveredbytheFishingVessels(ECDirectiveonHarmonisedSafety
Regime)Regulations1999asamendedin2003,whichamendedandimplementedtheTorremolinosProtocolintheUKand
whereapplicabletovesselsbuiltbefore1999,theFishingVessels(SafetyProvisions)Rules1975asamended.
DownloadMSN1813(F)TheFishingVesselsCodeofPracticefortheSafetyofSmallFishingVessels
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/msn1813codeofpracticesafetyofsmallfishingvessels) .
DownloadMSN1770(F)TheCodeofSafeWorkingPracticefortheConstructionandUseof1524MetreFishingVessels
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/msn177015to24metrefishingvesselsconstructionanduse) .

Certificationoffishingvessels
Fishingvesselsareexemptfromsomecertificationrequirements,althoughotherspecialisedcertificatesmustbecarried,as
follows:

UKfishingvesselcertificateforvessels1524metres
internationalfishingvesselcertificateforvessels24metresorlonger
oilpollutionpreventioncertificate
airpollutioncertificatevesselsof400grosstonnes(gt)ormore
sewagepollutioncertificatevesselsof400gtormore,orcarrying15persons,andoninternationalvoyages
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antifoulingdeclarationvesselsoflessthan24metresinlengthandlessthan400gt
antifoulingcertificatevesselsof400gtormore
certificateofregistry
internationaltonnagecertificatevesselsof400gtormore
Forinformationaboutrequirementsforthecertification,seetheguidancetolegislation(http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07
home/shipsandcargoes/mcgashipsregsandguidance/marinenotices.htm)

Organisationsthatcanhelp
Aswellasguidanceonspecifictypesofvessel,moregeneralinformationonclassification,certificationandotherissues
relatedtotheoperationofcommercialshippingisavailablefromtheMCAandtheInternationalMaritimeOrganization(IMO).
ReadabouttheIMOswork(http://www.imo.org/) .
FullinformationonUKregulationsandprocedures,includingdetailsofthecertificatesthatmustbecarriedonUKregistered
shipscanbefoundinMCAsMastersguidetotheUKflag(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/amastersguidetotheuk
flag) .

Furtherinformation
DownloadtheYellowCodefromtheMCAwebsite(PDF,156K)(http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/yellow.pdf)
DownloadtheBlueCodefromtheMCAwebsite(PDF,161K)(http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/blue.pdf)
DownloadtheBrownCodefromtheMCAwebsite(PDF,349K)(http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/brownwithpage8.pdf)
DownloadtheRedCodefromtheMCAwebsite(PDF,104K)(http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/red.pdf)
DownloadMGN280(M)SmallVesselsinCommercialUseforSportorPleasure,WorkboatsandPilotBoatsstandards
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mgn280smallvesselsincommercialuseforsport)

DownloadMSN1792(M)LargeCommercialYachtCode(LY2)(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/msn1792thelarge
commercialyachtcodely2)

DownloadMSN1813(F)TheFishingVesselsCodeofPracticefortheSafetyofSmallFishingVessels
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/msn1813codeofpracticesafetyofsmallfishingvessels)

DownloadMSN1770(F)TheCodeofSafeWorkingPracticefortheConstructionandUseof1524metreFishingVessels
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/msn177015to24metrefishingvesselsconstructionanduse)

FishingVessels(EuropeanCommissionDirectiveonHarmonisedSafetyRegime)Regulations1999onthelegislation.gov
website(http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/2998/contents/made)
FishingVessels(TheCommissionDirectiveonHarmonisedSafetyRegime)(Amendment)Regulations2003
(http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1112/contents/made)
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OrganisationinformationontheMCAwebsite(http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga07home.htm)
AgencyoverviewontheIMOwebsite(http://www.imo.org/)
DownloadtheMastersguidetotheUKflagfromtheMCAwebsite(PDF,5.59MB)
(http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mca_masters_guide_2009_full.pdf)

Backtocontents

Morelikethis
Alldetailedguidanceabout
Maritimeandfreshwaterbusinesses(https://www.gov.uk/browse/business/maritime/maritimeandfreshwaterbusinesses)

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