The Maritime and Coastguard Agency's Large Yacht Code was developed from initial work carried out by the Isle of Man. The Code was intended for application to Red Ensign yachts over 24m in length in Commercial use.

The "Code of Practice for Safety of Large Commercial Sailing and Motor Yachts" was introduced in 1997 and came into force on the 16th December 1998, and has since become the recognised international safety standard for yachts over 24 meters in length. In effect the Code brings together all the safety and operational rules and standards from the UK and other maritime nations, which may already apply but have rarely be enforced.

The Code recognises that vessels in commercial use for sport or pleasure do not fall naturally into a single classification and prescribed merchant ship safety standards may be incompatible with the safety needs particular to such vessels.

The Code applies to vessels registered in the UK, and the Red Ensign countries of the Isle of Man, Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Gibraltar, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Falkland Islands, Guernsey, Jersey, Montserrat, St Helena and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

To Whom Does the Code Apply?

The Code applies to existing and new Red Ensign vessels which are:

• Over 24 meters in length, or;
• Over 150 gross tons if built prior to 21st July 1968
• Are in commercial use for pleasure or sport
• Do not carry more than 12 passengers
• Do not carry cargo

Chartering is a commercial use of the vessel and thus all vessels that charter under the Red Ensign should comply with the Code. Information on the MCA and the full "Megayacht Code" can be obtained from our Download Library