Guidance

MGN 628 (M+F) Amendment 1: Construction and outfit standards for fishing vessels of less than 15m length overall

Published 22 January 2024

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mgn-628-mf-amendment-1-construction-and-outfit-standards-for-fishing-vessels-of-less-than-15m-length-overall/mgn-628-mf-amendment-1-construction-and-outfit-standards-for-fishing-vessels-of-less-than-15m-length-overall

Summary

This Marine Guidance Note sets out the minimum Construction and Outfit Standards that fishing vessels must comply with when being constructed, repaired, modified or altered.

The Standards also set out requirements for:

  • Building premises
  • Survey during Construction
  • Testing of structures
  • Materials

This Amendment informs that Fishing Vessel Certifying Authorities may be authorised by MCA to conduct Plan Approvals and New Build Surveyors of vessel of less than 15m Length Overall.

1. Introduction

1.1 As of 21 July 2020, MCA have undertaken the survey of new build fishing vessels of less than 24m Registered length to Fishing Vessel Construction and Outfit Standards, following the decision of Seafish to cease this work.

1.2 This service is not available for fishing vessels being built for registration or operation as Fishing Vessels in countries other than the United Kingdom.

2. Background

  1. 2.1 New Fishing Vessels of less than 24m Registered Length and registering as a fishing vessel for the first time must be constructed to the recognised standard covering Hull, Machinery, Electrical, and Control systems. This may be either:

    1. 2.1.1 The Construction and Outfit Standards of a Certifying Authority for Fishing Vessels; or

    2. 2.1.2 an equivalent standard recognised by the MCA as suitable for Fishing Vessels, such as those of a Recognised Organisation. Details of Recognised Organisations can be found in MGN322 – Ship Survey Standards.

  2. 2.2 On first registration of a vessel, the owner must supply the following to the Registry of Shipping and Seamen (RSS). Failure to do so will result in the vessel not being registered:

    1. • Vessels less than 7m LOA:
      1. • Hull construction certificate (MSF 1367).
    2. • Vessels between 7m LOA and 12m RL:
      1. • Hull construction certificate (MSF 1367), and
      2. • Outfit compliance certificate (MSF 1368).
    3. • Vessels between 12m RL and less than 15m LOA:
      1. • Partial declaration (MSF 1326 or MSF1370) if vessel was constructed prior to 30 October 2023 under survey of the MCA; or
      2. • Partial declaration (MSF 1326 or MSF1370) if vessel was under construction or Plan Approval on 30 October 2023 (see Section 5 above);
      3. • Hull construction certificate (MSF 1367) and Outfit compliance certificate (MSF 1368) if construction commenced on or after 30 October 2023 and is surveyed by a Fishing Vessel Certifying Authority with a signed Agreement with the MCA.
    4. • All vessels:
      1. • MSF1316 Small Fishing Vessel Certificate (Inspections by MCA for this Certificate can only be booked once the relevant Hull and Outfit or Partial Declarations (MSF1367, MSF1368, MSF1326 or MSF1370) have been issued).

  3. 2.3 Details of Fishing Vessel Certifying Authorities and the vessel lengths they are authorised to provide Surveys for are contained here Fishing vessel certifying authorities - GOV.UK

3. The Standards

3.1 These Construction Standards define minimum Fishing Vessel Construction standards for the construction, inspection and certification of the hull, and outfit of small commercial fishing vessels. Particular attention is drawn to Part 1 of these Standards with regard to the definition and scope of MCA certification of any new vessel.

3.2 In addition, Designers, Builders, Operators and Owners should ensure that they comply with MSN1871 Amendment No.2 The Code of Practice for the Safety of Small Fishing Vessels of less than 15 Metres Length Overall (or any superseding document) and also such International Convention requirements as may be applicable.

3.3 These Construction Standards can be used as guidance to anyone wishing to build a new vessel, but only MCA or a Fishing Vessel Certifying Authority can certify a new fishing vessels to these Standards.

3.4 From 30 October 2023, fishing vessels of less than 15m Registered Length may have their Plans Approved and may be surveyed by a Fishing Vessel Certifying Authority which has a signed and valid a Fishing Vessel Certifying Authority Agreement with the MCA which has been extended to vessels of 15m Length Overall – for either or both of these functions.

3.5 These standards shall also be used when modifying, repairing or altering a vessel.

4. Review Process

4.1 These Standards were originally developed by the Marine Survey Department of the Sea Fish Industry Authority (Seafish) through close consultation between the MCA, (Maritime and Coastguard Agency, an Executive Agency of the Department of Transport), Specialist Marine Equipment Manufacturers, Fishing Vessel Builders, and Fishing Industry Representatives, under the direction of a Standards Review Committee.

4.2 These Standards will now be reviewed by the Fishing Vessel Construction Standards Working Group at intervals not exceeding five years to take into account experience gained in their application, and any new statutory requirements will be applied to new vessels as applicable to these Standards.

4.3 Where new standards are developed and finalised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), European Union (EU), the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), International Standards Organisation (ISO) or British Standards (BS) which impact upon the requirements of these Standards, amendment may be considered immediately and implemented by means of a Marine Information Note (MIN).

5. How you can contact us

5.1 For guidance on the process for Plan Approval, please see the Fishing Vessel Instructions to Surveyors Chapter 1 Annex 24 – New Build Fishing Vessel Survey Guidance from 21 July 2020:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-build-fishing-vessel-survey-guidance-from-21-july-2020-less-than-24m-registered-length

6. Construction Process

6.1  Addresses, telephone numbers (including those with twenty-four hour answering machines) and faxes for all our Marine Survey offices are given in:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/maritime-and-coastguard-agency/about/access-and-opening

7. Complaints

7.1 If you have a complaint then please see:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/maritime-and-coastguard-agency/about/complaints-procedure

More information

UK Maritime Services, Ship Standards
Maritime and Coastguard Agency Bay 2/23
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road Southampton
SO15 1EG

Telephone: +44 (0)203 81 72000

Email: fishing@mcga.gov.uk

Website: www.gov.uk/mca

General enquiries: infoline@mcga.gov.uk

Please note that all addresses and telephone numbers are correct at time of publishing.

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