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
- UK Civil Hydrography Programme
- Coastguard search and rescue
- All MCA services and information
Featured
Small Fishing Vessel Code enters into force
Press release
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Code of Practice for Small Fishing Vessels now includes a requirement for fishing boats to be inspected both in and out of the water every five years.
International rules on safety levels for High Speed Craft (HSC) are being brought into force under UK law.
Shortlist of bidders announced for the next decade of Coastguard search and rescue aviation
Press release
The shortlist of companies being invited to tender for the next generation of search and rescue aviation has been announced by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Surveyors from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency are to carry out unannounced inspections of fishing vessels across the UK.
Coastguards across the UK are warning those planning to go anywhere near the coast or beaches over the Easter period to be on their guard.
Coronavirus Guidance
Press release
For commercial seafarers and recreational boat users
Latest from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency
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
Policy papers and consultations
- Implementation of the international code for ships operating in polar waters (Polar Code)
- Consultation on the proposed merchant shipping (radiocommunications) (amendment) regulations 2021
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
Press office
Press enquiries
020381 72222 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm)
Outside these hours or on bank holidays and weekends, for media enquiries ONLY, please send an email to public.relations@mcga.co.uk outlining your query and putting #Urgent in the subject title.
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. This number must not be used for any urgent or routine enquires during normal office hours.
All enquiries during office hours, including, but not limited to, technical enquiries, enquiries on registration of ships or seafarer’s certification should use the contact details on 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.
Seafarer training and certification
Seafarer training and certification switchboard
0203 817 2200
Phone lines are open 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm.
Seafarer training and certification: deck training
Seafarer training and certification: boatmaster training
Seafarer training and certification: FSE/CEC
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.