Guidance and regulation

A quick-reference guide to UK regulations and procedures.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 8 March 2022

• A master's guide to the UK Flag - Large yacht edition

  Introduction This guide is for managers, masters and officers of United…

This MGN provides best practice marine guidance to facilitate safe and environmentally friendly battery solutions for vessels utilising lithium-ion batteries.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 3 January 2024

• MGN 550 (M+F) Amendment 1: Electrical installations - guidance for safe design, installation and operation of lithium-ion batteries

  Summary The intent of this Marine Guidance Note (MGN) is to provide the…

• Annex 1: References and Standards

  References and Standards British Marine Electrics and Electronics…

Guidance to the crew for the safe use of fixed CO2 gas fire extinguishing systems.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 30 November 2007

Maintenance intervals of portable fire extinguishers.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 28 June 2004

Recommendation for the fitting of hull stress monitoring systems on bulk carriers of 20,000 dwt and above.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 1 February 1999

Guidance on the recommended installation of radar reflectors on vessels less than 15m in overall length. Containing an explanation of the ISO 8729 standards.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 4 October 2022

Draws attention to incidents with electrical equipment, maintenance responsibilities and the use of thermographic imaging as a maintenance tool.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 1 December 1999

Draws attention to guidelines for the proper maintenance and testing of fixed bulk dry powder fire extinguishing systems.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 30 November 2007

Guidelines about avoiding the use of photochromic lenses and allowing time for dark adaptation when undertaking lookouts at night.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 30 December 2007

Provides guidelines on the requirements and performance standards, for new technology light sources as required by the IMO.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 31 March 2009

Guidance for United Kingdom’s approach to the use of exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS), for the prevention of air pollution from ships.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 8 January 2015

This MIN is about the examination and inspection of mast and spars.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 31 October 2011

Amendment 3 provides a standard for the construction, machinery, carriage of equipment, manning, survey and certification of Police Boats.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 14 August 2014

This Note sets out the procedure for Conformity Assessment Bodies to follow in seeking designation as a UK Approved Body under the Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 2 June 2021

Code of practice for the construction, machinery, equipment, survey and manning of police boats.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 31 May 2024

The code of safe practice for large commercial yachts.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 16 December 2022

Relates to Open Reversible Liferafts (ORLs) and UK certification of such liferafts for over capacity as well as the UK servicing exemption.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 27 April 2021

Construction, radio and marine equipment standards for merchant ships and special shipping.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 18 September 2012

The performance standards of radio equipment and transitional provisions to comply with the Merchant Shipping (Radio) (FV) Regulations 1999

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 28 October 2006

Small ships to comply to regulations for the electrical and electronic equipment of ships.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Updated: 1 February 1994