Applicable from 28 July 2023, this Marine Guidance Note explains the new legal requirement for cargo ships that are 24m or more in length and less than 500GT to be fitted with bilge water level detectors and alarms. This mandatory requirement has been introduced following several incidents in which ships have become flooded due to an undetected ingress of water occurring in bilge spaces and implements a recommendation of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) following the flooding and sinking of a grab hopper dredger Abigail H. The fitting of bilge alarms in the prescribed manner is intended to improve the safety of affected ships, their crews and the marine environments in which they operate. Continue reading “MGN 651 (M) Bilge alarms on cargo ships”
MCA
Documentary series Coastguard: Every Second Counts set to air from 2 July
For the first time, the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is bringing a TV audience a behind-the-scenes documentary series. The new series, Coastguard: Every Second Counts, which rund for six episodes will air on Sunday 2 July at 9pm on Channel 5. It offers viewers the chance to see the wide breadth of work covered by the agency.
From the surveyors who check the safety of vessels to the nail-biting rescues HM Coastguard carry out, viewers will see that safety always underpins the work across the agency. The MCA granted full and exclusive access to TV crews for 12 months to allow time to provide insight into the varied, complex and, at times, tragic work of the maritime regulator in the UK. Continue reading “Documentary series Coastguard: Every Second Counts set to air from 2 July”
MGN 681 (M) Fire safety and storage of small electric powered craft on yachts
Notice to all shipowners, masters, deck and engineer officers, certifying authorities and surveyors involved with yachts. This MGN 681 (M) notice should be read with the Red Ensign Group Yacht Code Parts A and B.
Small electrically powered craft and other vehicles (such as personal watercraft) are becoming more commonly used in place of similar petrol-powered craft or vehicles stowed on yachts. Whilst electric craft do not necessarily represent a greater fire risk than petrol craft, there are considerable differences Continue reading “MGN 681 (M) Fire safety and storage of small electric powered craft on yachts”
MGN 276 (M+F): Fire protection – maintenance of portable fire extinguishers updated
The MCA has now published MGN 276 (M+F) Amendment 1: Fire protection – maintenance of portable fire extinguishers.
Portable fire extinguishers are pressure containers that require correct maintenance. The marine environment can be harsh and special care is needed to ensure long-term safe operation.
Fatalities have previously occurred due to people operating marine portable fire extinguishers which have been attributed to corrosion of the extinguisher bases. The structure in these cases was weakened to such an extent that the extinguishers exploded when activated. Continue reading “MGN 276 (M+F): Fire protection – maintenance of portable fire extinguishers updated”
New Workboat 3 code from the MCA is open for consultation
Rules governing workboats, pilot boats and remotely operated vessels have been revised and remade to support innovation in industry. The revised Merchant Shipping (Workboats, Pilot Boats and Remotely Operated Unmanned Vessels) Regulations 2022 and accompanying Workboat 3 Code is now going out for consultation across the marine industry. Continue reading “New Workboat 3 code from the MCA is open for consultation”
MCA consultation on requirements for fixed aerosol fire extinguishing systems in small vessel machinery spaces
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has opened a public consultation seeking views and opinions for MGN 657 (M+F) Requirements for aerosol fire extinguishing systems for use in small vessel machinery. The draft MGN publishes the test requirements for future approvals of these systems and requires that tests are witnessed by an Approved Body appointed by the MCA. Continue reading “MCA consultation on requirements for fixed aerosol fire extinguishing systems in small vessel machinery spaces”
Revised MCA documentation issued between 8 June and 15 July
The The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has revised various documentation issued between 8th of June and the 15th of July.
All M-Notices (MSNs, MGNs and MINs) can be found through the use of the search engine on the MCA website.
Issued 9 June 2022
SI 2022 No. 0629 – The Merchant Shipping (Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments) Order 2022 Continue reading “Revised MCA documentation issued between 8 June and 15 July”
MCA publishes new business plan
Passenger and fishing safety, new technologies and a greener future are the top priorities for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) for the coming year.
Reducing the numbers of deaths in the fishing industry, keeping people safe on-board ships, and continuing to drive forward greener maritime are all featured in the MCA Business Plan for 2022/23.
The Agency’s business plan continues to focus on maritime safety, pledging to improve how it responds to search and rescue incidents, promising to prioritise safety inspections on domestic passenger ships and fishing vessels. Continue reading “MCA publishes new business plan”
MCA works to improve support for approval for marine equipment
Manufacturers looking to make sure they get UK approval for the marine equipment they produce are being given a helping hand by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
It will become mandatory from 1 January next year for all new marine equipment placed on board UK vessels to have the UK approval – previously it was covered by the EU regulations. The race is on for equipment producers to meet that deadline and – as it stands – there are not enough accredited organisations to do all the work.
Now there are plans to give the organisations – known collectively as Conformity Assessment Bodies (CAB) – currently going through the accreditation process provisional approval to do the work. Continue reading “MCA works to improve support for approval for marine equipment”
Recent new and updated documents issued by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency
In recent weeks the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency has published a number of revised and amended documents, as well as announcing a new Statutory Instrument (SI).
Issued on 10 January 2022
MSIS 27 – Annex 1 – Under 15 m LOA FV Inspection Regime (Rev. 12/21)
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Issued on 12 January 2022
Safety Bulletin 024 – Non-SOLAS Lifejacket Servicing Requirements
Click for more details Continue reading “Recent new and updated documents issued by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency”
MCA publishes new guidance on enclosed space entry
Seafarers will be better protected as new UK rules come into force to tighten up safety for those involved in enclosed space entry onboard vessels. The updated legislation goes further than that currently required under international maritime law and is part of the ongoing commitment by the UK to seafarer welfare.
Enclosed spaces include chain lockers, cargo holds, duct keels and water tanks – or any area that has been left closed for any length of time without ventilation.
Six people have died over a ten-year period from 2009 to 2019 in UK ports Continue reading “MCA publishes new guidance on enclosed space entry”
MCA releases guidance on Safety Bulletin 24 – Non-SOLAS lifejacket servicing requirements
MCA releases guidance on Safety Bulletin 24 – Non-SOLAS lifejacket servicing requirements. The MCA has published this guidance based on a recent survey of a fishing vessel which highlighted that the vessel’s complement of inflatable, non-SOLAS lifejackets had not been serviced in accordance with the requirements of MGN 553: Inflatable Non-SOLAS Liferafts and Life-saving Appliances. The lifejackets had undergone servicing with a service provider that did not hold manufacturer’s approval for that particular make and model. Continue reading “MCA releases guidance on Safety Bulletin 24 – Non-SOLAS lifejacket servicing requirements”