Guidance

MIN 626 (M+F) Construction Standards for Fishing Vessels of Less than 15m LOA - Freeing Ports

Updated 29 September 2022

This guidance was withdrawn on

This MIN has expired. You can now find guidance on this topic in MGN 628 (M+F) Amendment 1: Construction and outfit standards for fishing vessels of less than 15m length overall - GOV.UK.

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/min-626-mf-construction-standards-for-fishing-vessels-of-less-than-15m-loa-freeing-ports/min-626-mf-construction-standards-for-fishing-vessels-of-less-than-15m-loa-freeing-ports

1. Introduction/Background

1.1 An amendment to section 3.10 of the Seafish Construction Standards in relation to freeing ports came into effect on 1st February 2014. Details of the amendment are provided below.

1.2 As of 21st July 2020, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) will undertake the survey of new building fishing vessels of less than 24m registered length to Fishing Vessel Construction and Outfit Standards, following the decision of Seafish to cease undertaking this work.

1.3 As part of a smooth transition, the MCA will continue to implement the amendments announced by Seafish via their SFIN (Seafish Information Note) publications regarding the applicable construction standards. This MIN transfers SFIN 11 into the MCA publication portfolio.

2. Construction Standards for Freeing Ports

2.1 As of 1st February 2014, the following amendments should have been applied, and continue to be applicable, in relation to freeing ports on vessels of less than 15m LOA, built to the Seafish Construction Standards and, from 21st July 2020, to vessels built in accordance with MGN 628 Section 3.10:

2.1.1 Lift-up closing appliances should not be fitted to freeing ports, or locking devices fitted to freeing port flaps if they reduce the total freeing port area along either side of the vessel below the freeing port requirement. They will only be considered acceptable where the remaining open freeing port area meets the requirement when the appliances are closed.

2.2 Where information in this notice contradicts the Seafish Construction Standards, or MGN 628, this notice is to take priority.

3. More Information

Fishing Safety Team
Maritime and Coastguard Agency,
Bay 2/22
Spring Place,
105 Commercial Road,
Southampton,
SO15 1EG.

Tel: +44 (0) 203 817 2454

e-mail: fishing@mcga.go.uk

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