MCA Archives - The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS)

MCA updates MGN 381 (M+F) Air pollution: Survey and certification requirements

Posted on August 26, 2026August 28, 2026 by News Hound

MCA updates MGN 381 (M+F) Air pollution: Survey and certification requirements

The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published an amendment to MGN 381 (M+F): Survey and Certification Requirements for Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) Regulations 2008

The updated Marine Guidance Note covers the survey and certification requirements for the 2008 Regulations (as amended), and the special circumstances in which a new certificate need not be dated from the date of expiry of the existing appropriate certificate, but from the date of completion of the survey. Continue reading “MCA updates MGN 381 (M+F) Air pollution: Survey and certification requirements”

New UK maritime syllabus review to keep pace with modern technologies and practices

Posted on August 24, 2026August 24, 2026 by News Hound

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has launched a new rolling review of the UK maritime syllabus to ensure high-quality and up-to-date training.

Backing has been secured for five-yearly revisions of the UK syllabus that training centres must teach students to learn up-to-date skills for safe and successful employment at sea.

Future changes to the syllabus, which has been taught in a newly revised version since September 2025, will be reflected in the recently launched electronic Training Record Books (eTRBs) and digital assessments. Continue reading “New UK maritime syllabus review to keep pace with modern technologies and practices”

MCA releases MGN165 Amendment 2 (F) on how to reduce risk of flooding on fishing vessels

Posted on July 24, 2026July 24, 2026 by News Hound

MCA releases MGN165 Amendment 2 (F) on how to reduce risk of flooding on fishing vessels

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency has published MGN165 Amendment 2 (F) which shows guidance on how to reduce the risk of flooding and the action to take if flooding occurs on fishing vessels.

MGN165 Amendment 2 (F) fishing vessels: risk of flooding provides guidance on bilge systems, during construction and operation, to help reduce the number of vessels and lives lost as a result of flooding.

It noted that MAIB investigations into fishing vessel losses continue to show flooding as the primary cause. Between 2016 and 2024, 86 vessels were involved in flooding or foundering incidents. Of these, 29 vessels were lost. Continue reading “MCA releases MGN165 Amendment 2 (F) on how to reduce risk of flooding on fishing vessels”

UK Maritime Innovation Hub is now live

Posted on June 8, 2026June 8, 2026 by News Hound

UK Maritime Innovation Hub is now live

An initiative to help the UK’s marine sector become safer and reach decarbonisation goals has been launched. The UK Maritime Innovation Hub, a service of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), will be providing coordinated access to regulatory engagement for organisations developing innovative maritime technologies.

As maritime technologies evolve, timely engagement between innovators and the regulator is increasingly important. The UK Maritime Innovation Hub supports early dialogue to help organisations understand regulatory considerations, explore available pathways, and identify appropriate next steps. Continue reading “UK Maritime Innovation Hub is now live”

UK support for the Cape Town Agreement is huge step forward for international fishing safety

Posted on May 20, 2026May 28, 2026 by News Hound

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez receives MCA Director for Technical Maritime Services Fraser Heasley and MCA Fishing Vessel Safety Lead David Fenner, to confirm the UK’s accession to the Cape Town Agreement

Fishing is one of the world’s most dangerous industries, and the International Maritime Organization’s Cape Town Agreement (2012) aims to improve the safety of fishers on an international scale via the Cape Town Agreement.

The agreement sets out mandatory minimum safety standards for fishing vessels, more than 24m in length, and their crew, as well as the combating of illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing. Coming into force next year, the Cape Town Agreement is expected to boost safety standards for tens of thousands of vessels worldwide, covering areas like survey and inspection, protection of crew, emergency procedures, and construction. Continue reading “UK support for the Cape Town Agreement is huge step forward for international fishing safety”

MCA update on MGN 708(M) Guidance on the merchant shipping ISM regulations

Posted on April 9, 2026April 16, 2026 by News Hound

The UK MCA has released an amendment to MGN 708(M), which sets out guidance and instructions regarding International Safety Management and the application of the Merchant Shipping International Safety Management Regulations 2026.

This notice replaces the 2014 ISM regulations and assimilated regulations 336/2006 in implementing the ISM code in UK law.

It also addresses certain gaps which arose in the previous legislation as a result of the UK leaving the EU, Continue reading “MCA update on MGN 708(M) Guidance on the merchant shipping ISM regulations”

Update on MGN 675 (M+F) guidance for control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments regulations

Posted on April 8, 2026May 11, 2026 by News Hound

Update on MGN 675 (M+F) guidance for control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments regulations

The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency has published an update to MGN 675 (M+F) Amendment 2 The merchant shipping (control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments) regulations 2022.

This notice provides important information on the UK’s implementation of the international convention for the control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments 2004, which aims to address the spread of invasive non-native species by ballast water and sediments. Continue reading “Update on MGN 675 (M+F) guidance for control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments regulations”

Workboat Code Edition 3 deadline – check the code, prepare the vessel, book the survey

Posted on February 25, 2026February 25, 2026 by News Hound

Kerrie Forster, CEO Workboat Association

Workboat owners and operators with vessels requiring a survey by December 2026 are being urged to act now to avoid missing the deadline for transition to the updated Workboat Code Edition 3 safety standards.

The message is being issued jointly by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Workboat Association to those affected by transitional arrangements to the Workboat Code Edition 3 ending on 13 December 2026.

The aim is to avoid demand for surveys at the end of the year causing a shortage of slots, and the potential for vessels having to be tied up while they wait to be seen by certifying authorities. Continue reading “Workboat Code Edition 3 deadline – check the code, prepare the vessel, book the survey”

New documentation from the MCA

Posted on January 13, 2026January 15, 2026 by News Hound

New documentation from the MCA

There is a slew of new and revised documentation released by the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) covering the period of December 2025 to January 2026.

Published on 12 December 2025

MSN 1908 (M+F) Amendment 2 – The merchant shipping (control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments) regulation 2022. This MSN provides the technical requirements of the obligations contained in the merchant shipping (control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments) regulations 2022 (SI 2022/737). Continue reading “New documentation from the MCA”

MCA lithium-ion battery update to fire safety MGN 681 (M)

Posted on January 2, 2026January 2, 2026 by News Hound

MCA lithium-ion battery update to fire safety MGN 681 (M)

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has update to fire safety MGN 681 (M) and storage of small electric powered craft on yachts.

MGN 681 (M) Amendment 1 includes clarification for the functionality of storage and charging cabinets or boxes where these are used as part of the solution for the carriage of li-ion batteries used on personal vehicles. Continue reading “MCA lithium-ion battery update to fire safety MGN 681 (M)”

MCA published its new Sport or Pleasure Code

Posted on November 20, 2025November 21, 2025 by News Hound

MCA new Sport or Pleasure Code for commercial craft published

Safety and innovation are at the heart of updated regulations for small commercial vessels used for sport or pleasure that was laid before Parliament on 20 November 2025 with application to be phased in from 12 December 2025 by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), starting only with new vessels entering either code for the first time.

The new Merchant Shipping (Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure) Regulations 2025 will set clear, pragmatic standards across the sector by underpinning two codes of practice for vessels below and above 24 metres in length. The changes will apply gradually to more vessels as their certificates come up for renewal or within three years, whichever is longer. Continue reading “MCA published its new Sport or Pleasure Code”

MCA releases MGN 591 Amendment 3 to remind about safe access

Posted on September 2, 2025September 2, 2025 by News Hound

MCA releases MGN 591 Amendment 3 to remind about safe access

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has updated its guidance on safe access for small vessels and fishing boats with the release of MGN 591 (M+F) Amendment 3. While the amendment itself only updates references, the message is clear: unsafe boarding arrangements continue to cause serious – and sometimes fatal – accidents. Recent MAIB reports highlight falls from ladders, poorly lit pontoons, and gaps between vessels as recurring risks. Continue reading “MCA releases MGN 591 Amendment 3 to remind about safe access”

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