GOV.UK
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Coastguard
Agency
- Working at sea: certification, health and safety
- Ships and cargoes: construction, operation and navigation
- Find marine (M) notices
- Seafarer certification: working on a UK registered vessel
- Seafarer medical certification and advice
- UK Ship Register
- Commercial fishing and fisheries
- Apply for a boatmasters' licence
- Civil Hydrography Programme
- Coastguard search and rescue
- All MCA services and information
Featured
Corporate information
Working for MCA
Information about applying for jobs with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
Detailed guide
Volunteering for MCA
Information about volunteering for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
News story
Eleven drowning deaths hit home - the importance of lifejackets
11 people, who drowned in 2018, might be alive today had they been wearing a lifejacket or buoyancy aid. This is one of the main findings of this year’s Casualty Review Panel
News story
Injured fisherman rescued amidst choppy seas
An 18 year old fisherman who sustained a hand injury on board his vessel was rescued from choppy seas on the evening of 02 July by the Stornoway coastguard helicopter.
News story
Muhammad's story
I work in vessel traffic control for the MCA and this is what a week can be like for me
News story
Minister publishes review of the UK Search and Rescue Helicopter service
Post-Implementation Review of the UK Search and Rescue Helicopter service published by Minister today.
Latest from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency
- MGN 617 (M) Yacht and powerboat safety at sea - emergency procedures, equipment and actions - good practice
- MGN 616 (M) Yacht and powerboat safety at sea - rigs and rigging - good practice for inspection
- MGN 615 (M) Yacht and powerboat safety at sea - preparedness for non-coastal passages - good practice
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What the Maritime and Coastguard Agency does
We work to prevent the loss of life on the coast and at sea. We produce legislation and guidance on maritime matters, and provide certification to seafarers.
MCA is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department for Transport.
Documents
Guidance and regulation
See all guidance and regulationNews and communications
- Foreign flagged ships detained in the UK during July 2019
- Foreign flagged ships detained in the UK during June 2019
Research and statistics
See all research and statisticsPolicy papers and consultations
- Consultation on yacht and powerboat safety at sea
- Class IX tugs under 500GT - guidance for exemption from the carriage of a rescue boat
Transparency and freedom of information releases
See all transparency and freedom of information releasesOur management
Contact MCA
HM Coastguard and Marine Offices
United Kingdom
Emergency contact number for the nearest coastguard
999
Head office
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG
United Kingdom
Main switchboard
0203 817 2000
For General enquiries
Out of hours duty surveyor
Technical Enquiries
+44 (0)7810 528504
Note that this service is for Urgent Technical Enquiries that require action out of office hours only and for enquiries on registration of ships, seafarer’s certification see the list provided here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/maritime-and-coastguard-agency/about/access-and-opening
UK Ship Register
MCA HQ
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG
United Kingdom
Merchant Ships
023 8032 9197
Small Ships
+44(0)29 2044 8813
Fishing Vessels
+44(0)29 2044 8855
Pleasure Vessels
+44(0)29 2044 8866
7:30am to 6:00pm, Monday to Friday.
Maritime and Coastguard Agency press office
Press enquiries
020381 72222 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm)
Outside these hours, for emergency press enquiries only please dial the above number. You will hear a message giving details of how to contact the on call press officer.
Seafarer training and certification: deck training
Seafarer training and certification: boatmaster training
Seafarer training and certification: CEC training
Seafarer training and certification: engineering training
Seafarer training and certification: exams section
Seafarer training and certification: revalidation team
Seafarer training and certification: safemanning team
Seafarer training and certification: smart team
Seafarer training and certification: STC courses
Make an FOI request
- Read about the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and how to make a request.
- Check our previous releases to see if we’ve already answered your question.
- Make a new request by contacting us using the details below.
Freedom of Information requests
Corporate information
Jobs and contracts
Read about the types of information we routinely publish in our Publication scheme. Find out about our commitment to publishing in Welsh. Our Personal information charter explains how we treat your personal information. Find out About our services.