Operational standards for small vessels
Certification
Any small commercial vessels not used as ‘pleasure vessels’ must have the right small commercial vessel certificate.
To get the right certificate, you must arrange a survey of your boat by a Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) approved authority.
If your boat passes this, it’ll be issued with either a:
- small commercial vessel certificate
- workboat certificate
- pilot boat certificate
This must be kept on board your boat and is valid for 5 years.
Boats being surveyed for the first time must also meet stability requirements outlined in section 11 of Marine Guidance Note 280.
Read more in MGN 280 (M) Construction standards for small vessels in sport use.
If you’re in charge of a business boat
You must have the correct certificate to be in charge of a small business boat.
Check the appropriate code of practice for your boat to see which certificate you need.