Guidance

MSN 1871 Construction and safe operation fishing vessels under 15m

Code of practice for the safety of small fishing vessels of less than 15m length overall, taking into account MAIB investigation findings.

From:
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Published
17 October 2017
Last updated
1 November 2017 — See all updates

This publication was withdrawn on

MSN 1871 has been replaced by MSN 1871 Amendment 1

Documents

MSN 1871 (F) The code of practice for the safety of small fishing vessels of less than 15m length overall

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Details

Summary

Notice to all designers, builders, owners, employers, skippers and crew of fishing vessels

This notice replaces MSN 1813 , the main changes from MSN 1813 are:

  • Liferafts required on open vessels of 7m registered length (L) to less than 15m (LOA) and decked vessels of 7m (L) to less than 10m (L), to come into force on 23 October 2019 for existing vessels only, new vessels must comply immediately;

  • Vessels built prior to 16 July 2007 newly entering the fishing industry must have a certifying authority survey prior to registration and MCA inspections of the vessel are required at change of ownership;

  • Emergency drills are now required;

  • Radar reflectors are now to be fitted to all vessels;

  • Bilge alarms required for open vessels (7m (L) -15m length overall (LOA));

  • Certificates to be issued for small fishing vessels;

  • Substantial modifications, fitting of new gear or changes to the mode of fishing to be approved by MCA prior to work taking place;

  • EPIRBs with a built in GPS receiver capable of transmitting the position to a satellite are required all vessels of 10m (L) and over. Vessels less than 10m may have PLBs with a GPS receiver for each crew member or an EPIRB with a built in GPS receiver. EPIRB and PLB requirements to come into force on 23 October 2019 for existing vessels only, new vessels must comply immediately;

  • Stability requirements for new or significantly modified vessels of 12m (L) – 15m (LOA)

  • Carbon monoxide monitors for vessels with enclosed spaces which contains a fired cooking or heating appliance or where engine exhausts penetrate those spaces. The code strongly recommends fishermen wear personal flotation devices.

The code also provides guidance for owners and skippers of vessels of less than 12m on how to assess the stability of their vessel.

Published 17 October 2017
Last updated 1 November 2017 + show all updates

  1. updated document

  2. First published.

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