Statutory guidance

MSN 1916 (M) Workboat Code Edition 3 – Annex 3 The Safety of Police Boats

Published 31 May 2024

Summary

This Merchant Shipping Notice (MSN) announces the latest amendment of the MCA publication “The Safety of Police Boats”, this revision will be known as Workboat Code Edition 3 – Annex 3 The Safety of Police Boats.

The changes arising from the publication of Workboat Code Edition 3 – Annex 3 The Safety of Police Boats apply to new vessels, constructed on or after 1st June 2024. This MSN describes how this publication is applicable to Police Boats, and how it affects other existing vessels.

1. Introduction

1.1 In 1993, the Agency published its “Codes of Practice for Police Craft” (also known as The Safety of Police Boats Edition 1).

1.2 The latest edition of The Safety of Police Boats has now been published as Workboat Code Edition 3 – Annex 3 The Safety of Police Boats and replaces The Safety of Police Boats Editions 1, 2 and 3.

1.3 “Police Boat” is a vessel or personal watercraft owned or operated by a Police Service. Any reference to “vessel” or “boat” provided within the Workboat Code Edition 3 – Annex 3 The Safety of Police Boats shall mean “ship” under the definition provided by S.313 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (Ch.21).

1.4 For new vessels, Workboat Code Edition 3 – Annex 3 The Safety of Police Boats, replaces:

1.4.1 Codes of Practice for Police Craft;

1.4.2 Police Boat Codes, (PBC2);

1.4.3 Police Boat Code, Amendment 3 (PBC3).

2. Workboat Code Edition 3 – Annex 3 The Safety of Police Boats

2.1 This Annex is an amendment by addendum to the Safety of Small Workboats and Pilot Boats - A Code of Practice (Workboat Code Edition 3), enabled and underpinned through statutory instrument by The Merchant Shipping (Small Workboat and Pilot Boats) Regulations 2023 (SI 2023/1216).

2.2 This Annex, in conjunction with Workboat Code Edition 3, provides all information needed for vessels intending to operate as a Police Boat.

2.3 The changes contained in Workboat Code Edition 3 – Annex 3 The Safety of Police Boats apply to new vessels, and existing vessels may choose to either continue to comply with Police Boat Codes, Amendment 3 or fully comply with Workboat Code Edition 3 – Annex 3 The Safety of Police Boats.

2.3.1 “New vessel” means a vessel, the keel of which was laid, or the construction or lay-up was started, on or after the first day on which this Annex came into force, or any vessel where there has not been a valid certificate for the previous five years;

2.3.2 “Existing vessel” means a vessel which is not a new vessel;

2.4 Workboat Code Edition 3 – Annex 3 The Safety of Police Boats came into force on 1st June 2024.

3. Further Information

3.1 Further information relating to Workboat Code Edition 3 – Annex 3 The Safety of Police Boats can be obtained from the contact details listed below.

3.2 The Workboat Code Edition 3 – Annex 3 The Safety of Police Boats can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-workboat-code-edition-3.

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

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

Please note that all addresses and telephone numbers are correct at time of publishing.