MCA Cat 3 and 2 - the difference?

Seagreen

Seagreen

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I'm currently going into the MCA coding process, to offer Cleone out as a skippered day charter, and I'm getting a little confused as to what actually is the difference between standards required for the MCA Category 3 and 2. As far as I can see, the levels in terms of safety kit appear to be the same, and so far, my researches into STOPS and other technical matters have drawn a blank.
Does anyone know the precise answer? I'm fitting RORC and SOLAS standard gear, but I'm now genuinely puzzled.
 
2 is 60 miles from a safe haven, 3 is 20 miles from a safe haven. You need to manage all this to stay on the right side of the law. You can't go 21 miles if category 3 coded.
 
joha said:
Skippers ticket doesn't come into it as the MCA coding is more to do with the sea worthiness of the boat. This is more of an issue for work boats.

John
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The skippers ticket is relevant though, I'm sure I read even a DS (potentially only 2 weeks ever on a boat!) can be commercially endorsed for less than 20 miles, no doubt we have someone who actually knows this stuff though?
 
joha said:
Skippers ticket doesn't come into it as the MCA coding is more to do with the sea worthiness of the boat. This is more of an issue for work boats.

John
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Eventually it does John as the skipper has to be commercially compliant. A Day Skipper can be endorsed for commercial operations. The skipper is responsible to ensure that the vessel is sailed within the constraints of the coding, not the owner or anyone else, the skipper. The responsibility for the skipper operating within any limits or restrictions on their commercial endorsement and any crew is very relevant. Many commercial skippers, for example skippered chartered vessels on some seriously capable boats, are only endorsed to sail 150 m from a safe haven. Hence, they could not take paying passengers, crew, trainees sailing across to Norway from the UK.

MCA MGN 280-2 will describe safety equipment as well as methods of construction.

The owner would do well to sit a Professional Practises Course, held on line and very low cost by many Sailing Schools e.g. Storm Force Coaching. On the course all will be explained, including the sources of legislation, regulation and access to the relevant documents and standards. It will be money will spent and will make life very easy understanding how to comply - this is what the courses is all about.
 
Yes but the coding is for the vessel so if cat 3 within 20 miles, having a commercially endordsed YM ticket doesn't mean you can take it 60 miles out. The coding is for the vessel its self. And yes if the vessel is being used commercially the vessel should be skippered with a person with the relevant competancies in some cases an MCA boatmans cert may be enough and they were / are issued by the MCA not the RYA IIRC.

j
 
BlowingOldBoots said:
Eventually it does John as the skipper has to be commercially compliant. A Day Skipper can be endorsed for commercial operations. The skipper is responsible to ensure that the vessel is sailed within the constraints of the coding, not the owner or anyone else, the skipper. The responsibility for the skipper operating within any limits or restrictions on their commercial endorsement and any crew is very relevant. Many commercial skippers, for example skippered chartered vessels on some seriously capable boats, are only endorsed to sail 150 m from a safe haven. Hence, they could not take paying passengers, crew, trainees sailing across to Norway from the UK.

MCA MGN 280-2 will describe safety equipment as well as methods of construction.

The owner would do well to sit a Professional Practises Course, held on line and very low cost by many Sailing Schools e.g. Storm Force Coaching. On the course all will be explained, including the sources of legislation, regulation and access to the relevant documents and standards. It will be money will spent and will make life very easy understanding how to comply - this is what the courses is all about.
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Less than 300 miles to Norway. Are there no safe havens in Norway??
 
MAC MGN 280 table 13.1
A general alarm is required for ore than 16 people in cat 2 but not cat 3

Yeah yeah, picky but....

There seems to be more in the annexes taken from MGN 150 regarding skipper qualifications.

I seem to remember there were more differences regarding the boat, but cant remember right now. Boat was (is) 15.6m ally sailing.
 
joha said:
Yes but the coding is for the vessel so if cat 3 within 20 miles, having a commercially endordsed YM ticket doesn't mean you can take it 60 miles out. The coding is for the vessel its self. And yes if the vessel is being used commercially the vessel should be skippered with a person with the relevant competancies in some cases an MCA boatmans cert may be enough and they were / are issued by the MCA not the RYA IIRC.

j
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Do you mean a Boatmaster Licence?
 
Ludd said:
Less than 300 miles to Norway. Are there no safe havens in Norway??
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The point is all factors are interconnected when commercial operations are being undertaken in the UK and the skipper is accountable for complying.

The best thing the OP can do is take the course because, it makes it clear. You are probably right about the 150 but many are limited to 60 miles from a SH based on vessel coding. That would have been a better example.
 
joha said:
Yes but the coding is for the vessel so if cat 3 within 20 miles, having a commercially endordsed YM ticket doesn't mean you can take it 60 miles out. The coding is for the vessel its self. And yes if the vessel is being used commercially the vessel should be skippered with a person with the relevant competancies in some cases an MCA boatmans cert may be enough and they were / are issued by the MCA not the RYA IIRC.

j
Click to expand...

MCA issue a Boatmaster ticket.
"Boatmans" is local authority.
 
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