Coding for Charter etc... a question...

[alpha]

I'm pondering the purchase of a larger boat, and am toying with the idea of 'coding' it for charter or to use for giving instruction. The MCA website doesn't give a list of the requirements to be met, and I can't find such a list anywhere on the web.

So, two questions, esteemed fellow oilies:

First, does anyone know where the specification may be found?

Second, do any of you have experience (good or bad) of bringing a boat up to spec?

Thanks in advance!

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[DeepAndy]

Hi there,

If you e:mail me at taurusdiving@aol.com & add a subject heading of MCA new CODING,,,, i will sned you the new regs in 2 files .PDF .


Andy
'Taurus'
MCA cat II coded dive charter vessel

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[jfm]

Alpha:
You can download the regs from various places, about 70 pages. I think it is a pdf download somewhere on the MCA site but I might be wrong

BUT - they are not followed to the letter. You need a coding surveyor to help you here. The regs say, frexample, the side rails must be 1m high and there must be no opening portholes below the weather deck. However, surveyors have discretion and generally will allow you to fail these tests provided you stick a "not to be opened at sea" sticker on each offending porthole and "no access to sidedecks while at sea" sticker by the sidedecks, and so on.

So, what you end up needing is higher rails in the cockpit only, plus lots of lifejackets, plus 2x liferafts, plus bits and pieces and safety procedures etc etc. I have seen quotes of £6k all in to code a modern production 60ish foot flybridge

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[tripleace]

Re: Coding Question for the forum.

It would cost so little to manufacture boats to a MCA code or at the very least much closer to it.. Why don't we order new boats to that spec....

It would force the manufacturers to build to a common standard of safety..

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[suzanne]

You could try the yacht charter association (YCA), www.yca.co.uk If you speak to Michael Brown or look on the site you might find all that you need to know. Ive got their telephone number if you'd like it!

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[DeepAndy]

You can download the regs from various places, about 70 pages. I think it is a pdf download somewhere on the MCA site but I might be wrong

**** 164 pages ****

BUT - they are not followed to the letter. You need a coding surveyor to help you here. The regs say, frexample, the side rails must be 1m high *** From the deck **
However, surveyors have discretion and generally will allow you to fail these tests provided you stick a "not to be opened at sea" sticker on each offending porthole and "no access to sidedecks while at sea" sticker by the sidedecks, and so on.

So, what you end up needing is higher rails in the cockpit only, plus lots of lifejackets, plus 2x liferafts, plus bits and pieces and safety procedures etc etc. I have seen quotes of £6k all in to code a modern production 60ish foot flybridg

Taurus is a Charter vessel MCA coded cat II ,,,,,,,,,,, i carry one 24 man life raft, 14 lifejackets

However , they are strict on firefighting now ,, each size vessel has it's own rating,,, mine is 34A/134B,,,,,,,

Andy
Owner / skipper ' Taurus '



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[Renegade_Master]

All good points made so far, yes it is a protracted process and can be expensive, also you need a commercially endorsed Yachtmaster IF you plan to skipper charter.

Reckon on costs in the region of £5k - £8k




<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>

 

[BrendanS]

Can use commercial coastal skipper or advanced powerboat for most applications. Only need commercial yachmaster offshore for 20+ miles from safe haven.

You can get commercial ticket by taking vhf/first aid/safety exams and a medical.
All changes early next year though, so if anyone needs a commercial ticket for an existing qualification, better check the changes now.

<hr width=100% size=1> I asked an economist for her phone number....and she gave me an estimate

 

[Renegade_Master]

Hi Brendan to get a commercial YM your alos need to do a sea survival test int pool with life raft etc. I imagine that applies to all commercial endorsements yes?

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>

 

[BrendanS]

Yep, was what I meant by 'safety' exam

<hr width=100% size=1> I asked an economist for her phone number....and she gave me an estimate

 

[DeepAndy]

You need a VHF ticket before you take the CS / YM exam n the first place ,

For commerical endorsement you need

Medical for doctor for the MCA ( form ML5 )

Personal Survival techniques in compliance with the MCA ( STCW 95 Regulation VI/1,STCW code section A-VI/1 paragraph 2.1.1. )

A Vaild in date First Aid @ Sea quailification
Passport size photo

£ 15 fee

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[BrendanS]

I was talking about advanced powerboat and coastal skipper, not YM. VHF is assumed knowledge, for advanced powerboat at least

<hr width=100% size=1> I asked an economist for her phone number....and she gave me an estimate

 

[alpha]

Thanks all for your help

It seems (relatively!) straightforward - I'll consult a surveyor in the short term, but it seems both boats I have looked at are not far from compliant, given the kit I already have on the present boat which I would take with me.

Good luck all, and happy holidays!

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[jonnyboat3]

My boat is coded. Full info can be obtained from RYA.It is exaustive and expensive.If it is for tax you will have to run a legitimate business otherwise all savings will be clawed back by IR.It is not as attractive as some boatsalespeople make out...beware!!

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