Guidance

MGN 705 (M) Remotely Operated Unmanned Vessels (ROUVs) of 2.5 metres to less than 4.5 metres in length overall

Published 31 December 2024

Summary

This Marine Guidance Notice (MGN) explains a General Exemption which has been issued for Remotely Operated Unmanned Vessels of 2.5 to <4.5 metres in length overall.

This General Exemption enables eligible vessels to operate without certification issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) or its delegates.

This General Exemption is effective from 31 December 2024.

1. Introduction

1.1 This Marine Guidance Notice (MGN) explains a General Exemption which has been issued, subject to set conditions for Remotely Operated Unmanned Vessels of 2.5 to <4.5 metres in length overall.

1.2 Remotely Operated Unmanned Vessel (ROUV) means a vessel with no persons on board that is operated from a location remote to the vessel.

2. Background

1. 2.1. To date, there have been three pathways for ROUVs under 24 metres in load-line length:

   1. i. MASS, including ROUVs, of less than 2.5 metres in length overall may comply with the General Exemption set out in MGN 702 which permits eligible vessels to operate without certification issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency or its delegates;

   2. ii. ROUVs may undertake a case-by-case assessment through application of the MGN 664 process and, if successful, may be issued with Load Line Certification; or

   3. iii. ROUVs of <24 metres in load-line length may be surveyed and issued with a Workboat Code Edition 3 certificate.

2.2 To provide specific support to operators of the smallest ROUVs the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have issued a General Exemption for ROUVs of 2.5 meters to <4.5 metres in length overall, which ensures that eligible vessels have an available proportional pathway.

2.3 Vessel owners/operators of ROUVs of 2.5 to <4.5 metres in length overall may alternatively still choose to follow either of the pathways set out in 2.1.

2.4 The MCA has also published MGN 702 which explains a General Exemption which has been issued for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships of <2.5 metres in length overall.

2.5 Non-UK Maritime Administrations or Port State Authorities are under no obligation to accept UK General Exemptions for vessels in their waters. United Kingdom vessels may be subject to additional requirements of the port state or overseas administration when operating outside of United Kingdom waters, over and above the requirements of this General Exemption. Vessel owners/operators shall contact the administration controlling those waters for further information.

2.6 This General Exemption is effective from 31 December 2024.

3. General Exemption for ROUVs 2.5 to <4.5 Metres in Length Overall

3.1 This General Exemption only applies to ROUVs of 2.5 to <4.5 metres in length overall which comply with all of the conditions set out within this General Exemption.

3.2 This General Exemption only applies to ROUVs. Vessels subject to this General Exemption shall be under the constant supervision of a human operator, with means to take control at any time.

3.3 This General Exemption shall remain in force until the 31st December 2027.

3.4 The Maritime and Coastguard Agency, on behalf of the Secretary of State, retains the right to retract this General Exemption at any time.

3.5 This General Exemption does not apply to a vessel unless all conditions of this General Exemption have been met, including submission of the completed self-declaration form to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Code Vessel Team (see 5.2).

1. 3.6 An ROUV of 2.5 to <4.5 metres in length overall must:

   1. i. Comply with the conditions of this General Exemption; or

   2. ii. Be issued with a UK Load Line Certification following completion of a successful case-by-case assessment through application of the MGN 664 process; or

   3. iii. Be issued with a Workboat Code Edition 3 certificate.

3.7 An ROUV of 2.5 to <4.5 metres in length shall not operate at speeds exceeding 6 knots, or the declared planing speed, whichever is lower. The vessel’s maximum and planing speeds shall be recorded on the self-declaration form (see Appendix 1).

3.8 An ROUV of 2.5 to <4.5 metres in length which is capable of operating at speeds exceeding 6 knots is not eligible for this General Exemption.

3.9 An ROUV of 2.5 to <4.5 metres in length which does not comply with any of the options listed in 3.6 may be subject to enforcement action by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

3.10 The MCA has the power to inspect any ROUV at any reasonable time to verify if it complies with the requirements of this General Exemption and applicable legislation.

3.11 The MCA may prevent an ROUV from operating if they believe that its condition or manner of operation presents a serious risk to the safety of other water users or the environment.

4. General Requirements

This section sets out requirements which must be complied with, including but not limited to those listed on the General Exemption. The requirements and information set out in Section 4 of this MGN is not an exhaustive list. There may be other statutory requirements which are applicable to a specific vessel. The owner/operator of a vessel has a responsibility to identify which statutory requirements apply to a specific vessel and its intended operations and should ensure they are familiar with, and have an understanding of, their obligations.

Radiocommunications and Visibility

4.1 The owner/operator of an ROUV of 2.5 to <4.5 metres in length overall should implement appropriate means to enhance the visibility and detectability of the vessel by other water users.

4.2 All vessels of less than 150GT are required, if practicable, to fit a radar reflector, or other means (e.g. radar target enhancer), complying with international standards to enable detection by ships navigating by radar (both 3 and 9 GHz); as required by SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 19. For passive radar reflectors the largest suitable radar reflector in terms of Radar Cross Section should be fitted according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and as high as possible to maximise its effectiveness.

4.3 All vessels that proceed to sea are required to be correctly provided with, and exhibit, navigation lights, shapes and sound signalling devices consistent with the vessel’s length, type and circumstances, as required by Parts C and D, and Annex I of COLREGs.

Where day signals or navigational lights relating to special operational modes (Not Under Command (NUC)/Restricted Ability to Manoeuvre (RAM)) are not mandatory due to the vessel size, the MCA recommend that operators consider alternative arrangements, for example smaller dimensioned day signals or the inclusion of NUC/RAM navigational lights are considered as part of the hazard identification process.

4.4 Vessels which undertake towing shall comply with Rule 24 of COLREGs.

4.5 An ROUV shall not tow another vessel or object either on the surface or in semi-submerged form. Where necessary, an ROUV may stream and operate towed survey equipment beneath the water’s surface, provided it can be launched, recovered and monitored from the ROC.

4.6 Where an ROUV is fitted with AIS, the operator shall be aware of the limitations of AIS data (e.g. not all vessels are fitted with AIS), and ensure that navigational decisions for collision avoidance are primarily based on systematic visual and/or radar observations and other suitable means; not solely on AIS information. Particular attention shall be given to 4.11.1 and 4.11.2 of MGN 324, as amended which provides details on potential consequences of over-reliance on AIS information. The use of AIS does not remove the need for a visual lookout or use of “all available means”, but may be used to supplement information.

4.7 Vessels utilising AIS require an MMSI number issued by Ofcom.

1. 4.8 Vessels utilising AIS as an aid to visibility to other vessels should be aware of the differences between Class A and Class B AIS transceivers:

   1. i. Class A transceivers constantly transmit and provide far greater information about vessels than Class B transceivers; and

   2. ii. Class B transceivers transmit only when free slots become available, with Class A taking priority. This could result in the ROUV not being visible to other vessels in areas of heavy AIS traffic.

4.9 If the owner/operator of a vessel to which this General Exemption applies chooses to carry EPIRBs they shall comply with The Merchant Shipping (EPIRB Registration) Regulations 2000 (SI 2000/1850), as amended.

4.10 Vessels shall be issued with a valid Ships’ Radio Licence by Ofcom^{[footnote 1]}

4.11 Owners should consider whether a radio licence is required for the Remote Operation Centre (ROC).

Safety of Navigation

4.12 The Merchant Shipping (Safety of Navigation) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/673), as amended implement the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974, as amended, (SOLAS) Chapter V (Safety of Navigation). Further information on SOLAS Chapter V can be found at https://www.gov.uk/navigation-safety-for-uk-seafarers#solas-chapter-v, and provides information on the rules for the safety of navigation that apply to vessels of differing sizes.

4.13 With respect to navigation and collision avoidance, all vessels are required to comply with The Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals & Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996 (SI 1996/75), as amended. These UK regulations implement the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs).

1. 4.14 A vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed to:

   1. i. take proper and effective action to avoid collision;

   2. ii. be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions; and

   3. iii. at a speed where potential delays to detection of a collision hazard by a Remote Operator, due to system performance or configuration (e.g. data transmission or processing), does not prevent the vessel from complying with the applicable requirements of COLREGs.

4.15 The Master shall ensure that any intended voyage, including major alterations to a voyage, are planned using the appropriate nautical charts and publications.

4.16 All ROCs shall be equipped with charts and nautical publications to plan and display the ship’s route for the intended voyage and to plot and monitor positions throughout the voyage. These charts and publications should be of an appropriate scale and detail for the ROUV’s area of operation and are to be maintained at the ROC in lieu of onboard the ROUV. An ROUV shall not carry charts and nautical publications on board.

4.17 Where an ROC operates using a “paperless” system, it shall be equipped with an Electronic Chart System (ECS) appropriate for primary means of navigation, e.g. ECDIS or an ECS meeting the MGN 319 – “Mini-ECDIS” requirements and the relevant back-up facilities of SOLAS Chapter V or MGN 319, as appropriate, shall be maintained.

4.18 All Masters and Remote Operators at an ROC shall have access to an illustrated table of recognised life-saving signals at the control position. A table of Life Saving Signals is available through searching “Life Saving Signals” on https://www.gov.uk.

4.19 It is the responsibility of the owner/operator of an ROUV to assess the ability of a Remote Operator to comply with Rule 5 of COLREGs (Lookout). This includes the ability to visually identify targets by means of a continuous camera output and to observe sound signals.

1. 4.20 The ROC control position shall be set-up so that the Remote Operator at all times:

   1. i. has a minimum 225° front view with a pan-tilt-zoom function, from the perspective of the ROUV; and

   2. ii. is able to monitor a 360° total field of view with a pan-tilt-zoom function.

4.21 An operational contingency plan shall be developed and in place at the ROC to enable recovery of the vessel in the event of a sustained loss of control or connectivity between the ROC and ROUV.

Hazards to Navigation, Distress Signals and Accident Reporting

4.22 Where an ROUV encounters a danger that may pose a direct risk to navigation of an ROUV or any vessels in the vicinity, the ROC shall communicate the information to ships in the vicinity and to the Coastguard or competent authority of the area.

4.23 Where an ROC receives information from any source that persons are in distress within the operating area of an ROUV, the ROC and ROUV shall respond with reasonable and proportionate action within the limitations of the ROUV to assist the person(s) in distress.

4.24 The owner/operator of a vessel has a statutory requirement to report accidents. The statutory requirements are given in The Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 2012 (SI 2023/1743), as amended.

Protection of Personnel Working with ROUVs

4.25 It is the duty of shipowners and employers to protect the health and safety of workers and others affected by their activities so far as is reasonably practicable.

1. The principles for ensuring health and safety of personnel are:

   1. i. the avoidance of risks;

   2. ii. the evaluation of unavoidable risks and the taking of action to reduce them;

   3. iii. adoption of work patterns and procedures;

   4. iv. adaptation of procedures to take account of new technology and other changes in working practices, equipment, the working environment;

   5. v. adoption of a coherent approach to management of the vessel or undertaking;

   6. vi. giving collective protective measures priority over individual protective measures; and

   7. vii. the provision of appropriate and relevant information and instruction for workers.

Equipment

4.26 Equipment placed on board UK vessels that were approved under the terms of the Marine Equipment Directive (MED) may remain on board for the duration of its operational life. Equipment replaced after 1st January 2023 must be replaced with UK approved marine equipment in accordance with Merchant Shipping Notice (MSN) 1874, as amended.

4.27 MSN 1874, as amended sets out performance and testing standards to be met by marine equipment placed or to be placed on board a UK ship in accordance with the UK’s conformity assessment procedures.

1. 4.28 The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Provision and Use of Work Equipment) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/2183), as amended require shipowners to ensure that equipment provided for work is:

   1. i. suitable for its intended use;

   2. ii. safe for use;

   3. iii. maintained in a safe condition and inspected regularly;

   4. iv. only used by people who have received adequate information, instruction and training; and

   5. v. is accompanied by suitable health and safety measures.

Training and Certification

1. 4.29 The Master and Remote Operator(s) responsible for undertaking navigational watchkeeping duties for the vessel should hold the following certification:

   1. i. A valid, commercially endorsed Certificate of Competence, as set out in the Workboat Code Edition 3, Appendix 5, as amended, applicable to the vessel and area of operation; or

   2. ii. STCW Certificate of Competence, as applicable to the intended area of operation, function and tonnage limitations; or

   3. iii. Qualification valid for the intended area category of water as set out in MSN 1853, Annex 3, as amended.

1. 4.30 The Master and Remote Operator(s) responsible for undertaking navigational watchkeeping duties for the vessel, should undertake the following:

   1. i. GMDSS training and certification appropriate to the intended area category of operation;

   2. ii. Radio Operator certification appropriate to the intended area category of operation;

   3. iii. MCA approved Small Ships Navigation and Radar: Radar and Meteorology Course, for Remote Operators undertaking navigational watchkeeping duties for vessels carrying a radar;

   4. iv. MCA approved Small Ships Navigation and Radar: Electronic Chart Systems and Bridge Watchkeeping Course, for Remote Operators undertaking navigational watchkeeping duties;

   5. v. Training in remote operations;

   6. vi. Remote Operation Centre (ROC) and vessel-specific training and familiarisation;

   7. vii. Company-specific training and familiarisation;

   8. viii. Training in maritime cyber security;

   9. ix. Training as required by The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (SI 1999/3242), as amended; and

   10. x. Training as required by The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/2792), as amended.

1. 4.31 The Master and Remote Operator(s) responsible for undertaking navigational watchkeeping duties are recommended to undertake:

   1. i. Training for navigational and operational equipment, in excess of the requirements set out in this MGN, i.e. launch and recovery systems, ship stability training, Dynamic Positioning etc., where fitted; and

   2. ii. Refresher training in remote operations as required to maintain a level of competence that is applicable and current to the ROUV’s operation.

Manning

4.32 The owner/operator shall ensure that an adequate number of competent and experienced personnel are provided to perform the duties that are identified as necessary to safely navigate and operate the ROUV and respond to emergencies.

4.33 The Master of the vessel must assume the role and responsibility as the Master of the vessel for the duration of a working shift or navigational watch.

4.34 The Master that holds the authority and responsibility for the vessel must be readily available to take control of the vessel at the control position at all times.

4.35 The Master of the vessel must formally handover command to the relieving Master at the end of their working shift or watch.

4.36 The control position from where the vessel is conned must be manned at all times.

4.37 The owner/operator should allocate a sufficient number of Remote Operators to the ROUV to perform watchkeeping duties for the duration of the voyage.

4.38 The Master of the vessel must ensure that all Remote Operators are sufficiently rested and fit for duty, prior to undertaking watchkeeping duties.

4.39 The Master should continually assess the minimum levels of manning and take action as required to ensure the safe operation of the vessel; protection of the marine environment; preservation of life at sea; and the ability to respond to emergency situations.

4.40 In exceptional circumstances when the established minimum level of safe manning to safely operate the ROUV cannot be met, procedures and contingencies should be in place to ensure that the vessel enters into a safe state until the minimum level of safe manning can be re-established.

4.41 The owner/operator must provide Remote Operators with work schedules that include shift patterns and hours of work and rest.

4.42 Work shifts should be structured to ensure that sufficient periods of rest are provided to avoid fatigue, including screen fatigue. These should ensure that precautionary measures including rest breaks that include periods of fresh air and natural light are factored in throughout a watch.

4.43 The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Medical Certification) Regulations 2010 (SI 2010/737), as amended and MSN 1886 , as amended states the mandatory medical standards for seafarers. Remote Operators will require an ENG 1 or ML5 seafarer medical certificate, as appropriate.

Prevention of Pollution

4.44 All vessels installed with marine diesel engines constructed after 1st January 2000 with a power output greater than 130 kW shall be issued with an Engine International Air Pollution Prevention (EIAPP) Certificate and a Technical File, a copy of which shall be presented to the Administration.

4.45 All vessels with diesel and hybrid propulsion systems installed on or after 1st January 2021 operating in the Baltic and North Sea NOx emission control areas shall comply with The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/2924), as amended.

4.46 An ROUV of 2.5 to <4.5 metres in length overall which is designed or constructed to carry ballast water shall comply with The Merchant Shipping (Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments) Regulations 2022 (SI 2022/737) as amended.

4.47 The IMO Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto covers the control of several types of ship-generated pollution. Generally prevention of pollution legislation applies to all vessels and includes controls on the discharge of waste into the sea from ships. The best practice advice to follow is to return all waste (except air pollution) generated on board to shore waste reception facilities.

4.48 The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/42) as amended, require that oil should be retained on-board for disposal to shore reception facilities.

4.49 Organotin compounds are prohibited on ships. The Merchant Shipping (Anti-Fouling Systems) Regulations 2024 (SI 2024/509), as amended, provide the legal framework required in the UK for the offences and penalties in relation to EC Regulation EC 782/2003 on the prohibition of organotin compounds. The UK Regulations also implement the IMO’s International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships.

5. Self-Declaration Form

5.1 A condition of this General Exemption is for the vessel owner/operator to complete, sign and date a self-declaration form. The self-declaration form includes a requirement for the vessel owner/operator to undertake a hazard identification and for all identified hazards to be reduced to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).

5.2 The completed self-declaration form shall be sent to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for their records. The self-declaration shall be sent in an email to codes@mcga.gov.uk.

6. Safety Assurance

1. 6.1 An assessment shall be undertaken for a vessel in accordance with the requirements of this Section to:

   1. i. Ensure safe operation of the vessel;

   2. ii. Reduce all identified hazards to ALARP; and

   3. iii. Complete a hazard identification document. A template is included in Appendix 1.

1. 6.2 The safety of the System^{[footnote 2]}, including all:

   1. i. Intended configurations;

   2. ii. Manning;

   3. iii. Modes of operation;

   4. iv. Operational activities;

   5. v. Areas of operation; and

   6. vi. Operating environments;

shall be subject to a rational and systematic assessment, by suitably qualified and experienced personnel, and using methodologies appropriate to the level of risk, complexity and innovation^{[footnote 3]}.

6.3 Safety and operational risks shall be eliminated or reduced to ALARP using appropriate preventive and mitigating risk reduction measures.

6.4 This evidence of safety assurance shall be maintained by the owner/operator throughout the operational lifecycle of the ROUV. Any changes to the System, its environment and/or operation shall be evaluated, to support the identification of new hazards and ensure effective preventative controls and mitigations remain in place, where required.

6.5 The rational and systematic assessment carried out in line with the requirements stipulated within paragraph 6.1 of this Marine Guidance Notice shall include an output which identifies all the hazards, who is at risk from each hazard, the identified barriers/mitigation and an overview of the verification evidence, which is to be maintained throughout the lifecycle of the vessel and be available for review by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on request.

1. 6.6 An example of the output described in paragraph 6.2 can be found in Appendix 1 of this document. When reviewing the table in Appendix 1 the following elements should be taken into consideration:

   1. i. The example hazard descriptions are non-exhaustive, and the identification of all relevant hazards shall be carried out by a rational and systematic assessment as described in paragraph 6.1;

   2. ii. The barriers and mitigation measures identified within the output shall ensure that operational risks are eliminated or reduced to ALARP;

   3. iii. Verification evidence shall ensure that there is a reasonable and auditable trail that ensures the effectiveness of the barriers and mitigation measures identified. This verification evidence should be maintained effectively to allow for both internal review and 3rd party review; and

   4. iv. A more detailed or more specific hazard review template may be adopted in lieu of the example as long as it clearly covers the principles identified within the example.

7. Self-Declaration Form Invalidation

1. 7.1       Owners/operators shall notify the Maritime and Coastguard Agency of any changes which invalidate existing declarations required by this exemption. These include:

   1. i. Changes to vessel ownership, such as when the vessel is sold;

   2. ii. Changes to vessel remote operating company;

   3. iii. Changes to the physical characteristics or capabilities of the ROUV such as, but not limited to, an increase in vessel length or the introduction of more capable software which enables the vessel to navigate autonomously;

   4. iv. Major modification(s) to the vessel or ROC which would affect compliance with the applicable requirements of Section 4 of this MGN or any of the conditions set out in the General Exemption;

   5. v. If the vessel is lost or decommissioned.

8. Further Information

1. 8.1 Further information relating to Workboat Code Edition 3 can be obtained from the contact details listed below:

   1. i. Workboat Code Edition 3 can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-workboat-code-edition-3.

   2. ii. The Merchant Shipping (Small Workboats and Pilot Boats) Regulations 2023 can be accessed at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/1216/contents/made.

2. 8.2 Further information relating to MGN 664 can be obtained from the contact details listed below:

   1. i. MGN 664 (Amendment 1) Certification Process for Vessels using Innovative Technology https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mgn-664-mf-amendment-1-certification-process-for-vessels-using-innovative-technology

GENERAL EXEMPTION

1. The Secretary of State, in exercise of their powers conferred by Section 294(1) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 hereby exempts:

   1. Remotely Operated Unmanned Vessels of 2.5 to <4.5 metres in length overall

from the following requirements (to the extent that they apply):

• The Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Cargoes) Regulations 2024 No. 637^{[footnote 4]}

• The Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Regulations 2022^{[footnote 5]}

• The Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances and Arrangements) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020 No. 501)^{[footnote 6]}

• The Merchant Shipping (Survey and Certification) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015 No. 508)^{[footnote 7]}

• Merchant Shipping (Musters, Training and Decision Support Systems) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999 No. 2722)^{[footnote 8]}

• The Merchant Shipping (Load Line) Regulations 1998 (SI 1998 No. 2241)^{[footnote 9]}

• The Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection: Small Ships) Regulations 1998 (SI 1998 No. 1011)^{[footnote 10]}

The vessel must comply with all other applicable Regulations (to the extent that they apply), including those set out in the:

• Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972, as amended (COLREGs);

• The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974;

• The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto, as amended (MARPOL);

• The Merchant Shipping (Safety of Navigation) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020 No. 673);

• The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020 No. 621);

• The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Oil Pollution) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019 No. 42);

• The Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2016 (SI 2016 No. 1025);

• The Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012 No. 1743);

• The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008 No. 2924);

• The Merchant Shipping (Distress Messages) Regulations 1998 (SI 1998 No. 1691);

• The Merchant Shipping (Tonnage) Regulations 1997 (SI 1997 No. 1510); and

• The Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996 (SI 1996 No. 75).

1. These exemptions are subject to the following conditions:

   1. (a) The vessel is an ROUV^{[footnote 11]} of 2.5 to <4.5 metres in length overall;

   2. (b) The vessel does not operate in ground effect (e.g. is not a WIG or hovercraft);

   3. (c) The vessel is a British ship^{[footnote 12]} wherever they may be, or a non-British ship operating from United Kingdom ports whilst in United Kingdom waters;

   4. (d) The vessel is unmanned (i.e. operates with no persons onboard);

   5. (e) The vessel is not permitted to carry any dangerous goods^{[footnote 13]};

   6. (f) The vessel is operated by a dedicated Remote Operator, who may also be the Master, who is in control at all times;

   7. (g) The Remote Operator and Master only manage and are responsible for one vessel at a time;

   8. (h) Command and control of the vessel is limited to only one remote location at a time;

   9. (i) Collaborative control with other platforms in the same or different domains is not permitted;

   10. (j)The vessel is not permitted to tow or lift a ship^{[footnote 12]} or object either on the surface or in semi-submerged form;

   11. (k) The vessel may stream and operate towed survey equipment beneath the water’s surface, provided it can be launched, recovered and monitored from the ROC;

   12. (l) The vessel is permitted to only carry out a tow as per (k) where the displacement of the towed object is less than or equal to twice the displacement of the towing vessel;

   13. (m) The vessel is permitted to only carry out lifting operations where the stability of the vessel is not negatively affected^{[footnote 14]};

   14. (n) The vessel is only permitted to operate at speeds where latency does not prevent the vessel from complying with the applicable requirements of COLREGs;

   15. (o) the vessel is not permitted to operate at a speed greater than:
       1. .1         the vessel’s declared planing speed; or
       2. .2        6 knots;

   16. whichever is lower;

   17. (p) The vessel is not permitted to have an engine which can only be hand started;

   18. (q) The vessel is not permitted to have open flame appliances or gas installations;

   19. (r) The vessel is not permitted to have liquid fuelled cookers or liquid fuelled heating appliances installed;

   20. (s) The vessel is not permitted to be fitted with a diver lift or be used as a diving platform;

   21. (t) The vessel is not permitted to operate as a mother vessel^{[footnote 15]};

   22. (u) The vessel is not in commercial use for sport or pleasure;

   23. (v) The vessel is not a pleasure vessel;

   24. (w) The vessel does not have an anti-fouling system applied which contains Cybutryne or a banned organic compound;

   25. (x) The vessel has a continuously available communications system(s) operated from or installed at the control position providing the following capabilities for the area in which the vessel is operating, not the location of the control position:

       1. .1 transmitting ship-to-shore distress alerts by two separate and independent means, each using a different radiocommunication service;

       2. .2 receiving shore-to-ship distress alert relays;

       3. .3 transmitting and receiving ship-to-ship distress alerts;

       4. .4 transmitting and receiving on-scene communications including search and rescue co-ordinating communications;

       5. .5 transmitting and receiving signals for locating;

       6. .6 receiving Maritime Safety Information^{[footnote 16]};

       7. .7 transmitting and receiving urgency and safety communications; and

       8. .8 transmitting and receiving bridge-to-bridge communications;

   26. (y) The position of the vessel is automatically interfaced to the communication system(s);

   27. (z) All applicable requirements set out in Section 4 of MGN 705 are complied with; and

   28. (aa) Complete the Self-Declaration Form and email the completed form to codes@mcga.gov.uk.

A vessel to which this exemption applies operating in non-United Kingdom waters must comply with any provisions required by Maritime Administration(s) of the waters in which they are operating.

1. These exemptions shall have immediate effect for vessels which meet conditions (a) to (aa) and remain effective to the extent that:

   1. (1) Conditions (a) to (aa) continue to be met; and

   2. (2) Each and any of the regulations listed above remain in force, or the exemption is amended or revoked.

This exemption shall remain in force until 31 December 2027, unless cancelled or modified by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Dated this day 20 December 2024 

Fraser Heasley 

Director – UK Technical Maritime Services

More Information

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

Telephone: +44 (0)203 817 2000

Email: codes@mcga.gov.uk

Website: www.gov.uk/mca

1. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/spectrum/radio-equipment/maritime-information/ ↩

2. Including but not limited to the ROUV, ROC, command and control and GMDSS communications systems and networks. ↩

3. e.g. IEC 31010:2019 Risk management – Risk assessment techniques ↩

4. In exercise of the power conferred by Regulation 6(2) of the Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Cargoes) Regulations 2024 (SI 2024 No. 637) ↩

5. In exercise of the power conferred by Regulation 59(1) of the Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Regulations 2022 (SI 2022 No. 1342) ↩

6. In exercise of the power conferred by Regulation 8(1),(2) of the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances and Arrangements) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020 No. 501) ↩

7. In exercise of the power conferred by Regulation 5(3) of the Merchant Shipping (Survey and Certification) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015 No. 508) ↩

8. In exercise of the power conferred by Regulation 14(1) of the Merchant Shipping (Musters, Training and Decision Support Systems) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999 No. 2722) ↩

9. In exercise of the power conferred by Regulation 5(1),(2) of the Merchant Shipping (Load Line) 1998 (SI 1998 No. 2241) ↩

10. In exercise of the power conferred by Regulation 47 of the Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection: Small Ships) Regulations 1998 (SI 1998 No. 1011) ↩

11. Remotely Operated Unmanned Vessel (ROUV) means a vessel with no persons on board that is operated from a location remote to the vessel ↩

12. The definition of “ship” provided in Section 313 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 is – “ship” includes every description of vessel used in navigation ↩ ↩²

13. “Dangerous goods” means cargoes classified in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code which is given force of law through the Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants) Regulations 1997 (SI 1997 No. 2367), as amended ↩

14. “Lifting device” means a device used for lifting or lowering loads, and includes its attachments used for anchoring, fixing, supporting the device and connections between device and load ↩

15. A mother vessel is a vessel which leads, serves, or carries tenders, and may provide a safe haven for a tender ↩

16. Maritime Safety Information should be received in accordance with MSC.1/Circ.1645 ↩