The MCA's Intended Pleasure Vessels (IPV) Code for temporary commercial use comes into force

The MCA's proposed Intended Pleasure Vessels (IPV) Code to allow pleasure craft to be in temporary commercial use at sea and as race support boats has been passed

The MCA’s proposed the Intended Pleasure Vessels (IPV) Code last August.
The new code to allow pleasure craft to be temporarily used for business purposes and has race support boats without the current requirement for inspection came into force on 1 January 2019.

Testing, trialling and delivery of sea-going vessels legally will now be cheaper and easier for boatbuilders, brokers, surveyors, repairers, delivery companies and equipment service providers under the exemptions laid out in Part 1 of the new Code. It provides an easier and more transparent way for businesses to comply with regulation and will have resulting, long-term benefits for the end-user.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) developed the code, with applies to many types of boaters, from manufacturers to owners, in partnership with the sector’s leading associations and representatives. These include British Marine, RYA, Yacht Brokers, Designers and Surveyors Association (YBDSA), British Rowing and British Canoeing.

British Marine’s CEO, Lesley Robinson, joined the MCA’s Chief Executive, Brian Johnson, and other senior executives of marine organisations at The Little Ship Club in London today (10 January 2019) for an event to introduce the new Code.

Marine Guidance Notice 538 on the regulations applicable to Pleasure Vessels has also been replaced with MGN 599. The new MGN introduces exemptions that mark an important step for the pleasure craft sector in the UK and phases out the use of ORC life rafts.

Brian Johnson, MCA’s Chief Executive, said: “The need for pleasure vessel users to have a simpler way of complying with existing regulations was identified. Working in partnership with the pleasure vessel community and with help of the consultation which ran in 2018 the Code has been developed. This really is a positive step for pleasure vessel users and the wider community.”

Lesley Robinson, British Marine’s CEO, commented: “British Marine is delighted to have collaborated on this important and far-reaching development which will have huge implications for many of our members across the sector.

“The introduction of the IPV Code paves the way for additional activity on a single-voyage basis without the need for additional external approval; streamlining processes and reducing costs.”

More details on the code can be found here.

MCA to propose a new code of practice to allow pleasure vessels to be temporarily used for business purposes and as race support boats

The MCA would like feedback on a new proposal to allow pleasure craft to be temporarily used for business purposes and has race support boats.

The organisation has been working with British Marine, RYA, and the Yacht Brokers, Designers and Surveyors Association (YBDSA) to develop the new code of practice which is due to be published on 1 January 2019.

The code is divided into parts. The first refers to intended pleasure vessels (IPV) to be used for temporary commercial reasons and the second for said craft to be used to support race boats.

The MCA proposal states:

IPV Code – Temporary Commercial Use for Business Purposes

“Part 1 of The IPV Code allows for Intended Pleasure Vessels (boats which are normally Pleasure Vessels) to be in temporary commercial use at sea on a single-voyage basis for business purposes relating to repair, post-production, post-repair or mid-survey sea trials, customer sea trials, or vessel delivery outside the definition of Pleasure Vessel. It is applicable to Intended Pleasure Vessels of any size which are United Kingdom vessels wherever they may be. It also applies to other Intended Pleasure Vessels operating from United Kingdom ports whilst in United Kingdom waters.”

IPV Code – Temporary Commercial Use as Race Support Boat

“Part 2 of the IPV Code allows for Intended Pleasure Vessels to be in temporary commercial use at sea on a single-voyage basis as a Race Support Boat for the purpose of Race Support Activities of yacht or powerboat racing affiliated to the National Governing Body of the Sport. It provides a standard for small (<8m) Intended Pleasure Vessels used for no more than ten occasions per calendar year as a Race Support Boat outside the definition of Pleasure Vessel either by the Owner or persons authorised by the Owner to do so. It is aimed at open boats such as Rigid Inflatables but does not prohibit use for small (<8m) decked vessels. Operators of Race Support Boats are advised that other Codes of Practice may be more appropriate for decked vessels.”

The MCA is asking owners ((individuals or companies) of pleasure vessels to make sure that ‘either all use is in accordance with the Pleasure Vessel definition or, if not, then appropriate commercial standards are met’ and that if the IPV is used at sea for business or as a race support boat on a temporary basis that owners study the draft new code and have a look at the draft new MGNs.
The MCA also states that owners, brokers, repairers, manufacturers and surveyors who take the craft to sea for business purposes become the operator and in accordance with the code, if the business use is not temporary, that they should seek further advice from the MCA.

The MCA will be at the Southampton Boat Show to answer questions on the new code of practice face to face.

The consultation closes at 23:59 on 26 September 2018. Those who wish to give feedback can email the MCA here. For more information and to read the full documents click here.