MCA Coding Items Category 2 Sailing Yacht

Code Section

Constructional and Structural Strength

4.1.1. For category 2 is required a watertight weather deck.
4.2.2. The yacht to be built to classification society plan approval.
or in accordance with the hull certification standards for small vessels
or has more than 5 years history of safe operation.

4.3 Decks and Recesses / Cockpits

4.3.2.2. Cockpit volume to not exceed (0.10 x length x beam x freeboard abreast cockpit)
4.3.2.2. Cockpit drains to be at least 10cm2 for category 2
4.3.2.4. Cockpit lockers to be weathertight and lids secure

5.1 Hatchways, Hatches, Windows

5.1.1.3. Hatch at forward part of vessel fitted with hinges at after side of hatch to be secured closed at sea and provided with a suitable blank. (Not anchor locker).
5.1.1.3. Hatch at forward part of vessel with hinges on forward side does not require blank.
5.1.1.4. Escape hatches capable of being opened from both sides.
5.1.2. All Hatch windows to be marked with a sticker on the inside “KEEP CLOSED AT SEA”
14.8.1. The forward cabin hatch window to be labeled as means of escape from the accommodation. Generally it is accepted to have only companionway and the forward cabin hatch window as means of escape from the accommodation.
5.2.2.1. Companionway hatch to have coaming at least 300mm from cockpit sole. If it is less then it requires washboard to at least this height that can be secured in place
5.2.2.2. Companionway hatch washboard if required as above to have facility for securing with lanyard or other securing system.
5.2.2.3. Companionway hatch openings to not exceed 1m maximum breadth
5.4.3. Portlights fitted below the weather deck (Hull Windows) to be non opening and not to exceed 250mm glazed diameter. These are required to be of equivalent strength to the hull therefore toughened acrylic. If the boat is CE then they are likely of a suitable standard.

5.6. Air Pipes

5.6.2. Tank vents which are greater than 10mm inside diameter require a valve or other means to prevent ingress of water

5.7. Sea Inlets and Discharges

5.7.1. All through hulls below weather deck to be provided with valve.
5.7.3. Speed Log fitting to be provided with blank.
5.7.4. Marine toilet inlet and discharge pipes to be looped up to underside of deck.
5.8.1. Valves below waterline in engine compartment to be of metal.
5.8.3. If the engine raw water suction valve is inside the engine space then the inlet piping section from valve to raw water strainer (that must be above waterline) is to be of ISO 7840 fuel type or other equivalent fireproofed hose or fitted with fireproofing sleeve. The sleeve can simply be fiberglass applied around the hose which is accepted. It is preferred to be of proper fireproofed hose.

7.5. Engine Starting and Stopping

7.5.2. Engine starting batteries to be in duplicate or with changeover switch or parallel off the service batteries.

7.7. Stowage of Petrol

7.7.1. Petrol containers to be clearly marked and stowed where can be easily jettisoned and where spillage will drain directly overboard.
7.7.2. or Permitted 5litre container of petrol in deck locker on small yacht.

8.3. Lighting

8.3.1. Emergency lighting to be provided. Torches secured to bulkhead in each cabin and at navigation station permissible.

8.4. Batteries

8.4.1.6. Sailboat batteries to be of sealed type.

10. Bilge Pumping

10.1.4. Bilge suction lines to be provided with strum boxes.
10.1.5. Non return or check valve to be fitted on electric bilge pump suction line.
10.5.1. Bilge alarm required for main bilge. Some certifying authorities do not require this for shallow bilge. RYA want this however. The alarm to have visual and audible indicator and to be noticed from the helm.
29.2. No automatic bilge pumping system in engine compartment unless oils retained inbetween engine bearers.

13. Life-Saving Appliances

13.2.3. Liferaft with capacity for all on board to be compliant with ISAF Appendix A Part 2 specification or ISO 9650 Part I Type I Group A to be provided. RYA does not normally accept other type. ORC type permitted as existing but will be phased out.
13.2.3. Liferaft to be of rigid container (stowed on weather deck) with hydrostatic release or of valise type stowed in cockpit locker.
13.2.3. Each Liferaft to have SOLAS B pack or grab bag to bring equipment to SOLAS B pack. Even if the liferaft is ordered new with SOLAS B pack the equipment actually may be incomplete.
13.2.4. Liferafts to be serviced according to manufacturer recommended intervals except for valise type which annual is only accepted. ORC type also annual servicing. Therefore with ISO 9650 Part I Type I Group A container type which is preferred you do not risk phase out like with the ORC liferafts, you also do not have to service annual like the ORC and valise. It is likely for servicing according to the manufacturer to be every 3 years therefore annual cost for servicing is going to be much less than the other types.

Link to SOLAS B Pack Requirements Checklist

13.3. Lifebuoys

13.3.1. Lifebuoys to be marked with name and one of (Port of choice, SSR number)
13.3.3. 1 Lifebuoy to be fitted with buoyant line 18m and secured to the yacht.
13.3.4. Soft horseshoe type lifebuoys to be fitted with drogues if not fitted with buoyant line 18m
13.3.5. Danbuoy to be attached to lifebuoy without line and self igniting light also.

13.4. Lifejackets

13.4.1. Accepted lifejackets are MCA (DfT) or MED approved or ISO 396 / ISO 12402-3 150N or ISO 399 / 12402-2 of 275N
13.4.3. Lifejackets to be fitted with whistle, retro-reflective strips and light
13.4.4. Inflatable lifejackets to be additional 2 or 10% more (whichever is greater) than the number of people on board.
13.4.6. Inflatable lifejackets to be serviced one month either side of compliance (year 1), renewal (year 5) and intermediate (year 3) examinations. Therefore foam lifejackets would be less annual costs as servicing not required.
13.4.7. Child lifejackets to be provided if children will be on board.

13.11. Training Manual

13.11. A training and instruction manual should contain instructions and information on the lifesaving appliances provided in the vessel and also contain information on the best methods of survival.

It may take the form of instructions from the manufacturers of the life-saving equipment provided, as a minimum, with the following explained in detail:-

.1 donning of lifejackets;

.2 boarding, launching, and clearing the survival craft from the vessel;

.3 illumination in launching areas;

.4 use of all survival equipment;

.5 use of all aids to location

.6 use of sea anchors;

.7 recovery of persons from the water;

.8 hazards of exposure and the need for warm clothing;

.9 best use of the survival craft facilities in order to survive;

.10 methods of retrieval, including the use of helicopter rescue gear (slings, baskets, stretchers), breeches-buoy and shore life-saving apparatus;

.11 instructions for emergency repair of the life-saving appliances;

.12 “Personal Survival at Sea” booklet, e.g. MCA Booklet MCA/075.

Training manual can include copies of safety guidelines from magazines, publications and the Life Saving Appliances manuals.

13.12. LSA Instruction Manual (on board maintenance)

13.12. The manual should contain instructions for onboard maintenance of the life-saving appliances and should include, as a minimum, the following where applicable:-

.1 a check list for use when carrying out the required inspections;

.2 maintenance and repair instructions;

.3 schedule of periodic maintenance;

.4 list of replaceable parts;

.5 list of sources for spare parts;

.6 log of records of inspection.

LSA Requirements Category 2

<16 Persons >=16 Persons
Liferaft Yes Yes
Lifebuoys 2 4
Lifebuoy with Dan Buoy and Light 1 1
Lifebuoy with Light 0 1
Lifebuoy with Buoyant Line 18m 1 1
Lifebuoy without Attachments 0 1
Additional Buoyant Line 0 1
Foam Lifejackets 100%. 100%
or Inflatable Lifejackets 100% plus additional 2 or 10% whichever is greater 100% plus additional 2 or 10% whichever is greater
Safety Harnesses 100% at least 2 100% at least 2
Parachute Flares 4 4
Red Hand Flares 6 6
Buoyant Orange Smoke Signals 2 2
Thermal Protective Aids 100% 100%
Portable VHF 1 1
EPIRB 0 0
General Alarm No Yes
Solas No. 2 Tables 2 2
Training Manual Yes Yes
Instructions for LSA Onboard Maintenance Yes Yes
Emergency Water (Labelled) 2litres person 2litres person
Copy of Annex 6 and 7 of MSN1768 1 1
First Aid Manual 1 1

14.7. Fire Detection

14.7.2 In a vessel carrying 16 or more persons, efficient fire detectors should be fitted in the engine space(s) and spaces containing open flame devices. Battery type fire detectors are permissible.

15. Fire Appliances

<15m Length <16 Persons >15m Length or >=16 Persons
One Hand or Power Fire Pump Outside Engine Space or Below item or Below item
Portable Fire Extinguishers 13A/113B or smaller giving the equivalent total rating 1x13A/113B but as 21A/113B size is readily available in Greece can be used instead 2
Portable Fire Extinguishers 5A/34B at each exit from accommodation 2 0
Portable Extinguishers 13A/113B 0 2
Fire Buckets with Lanyards 2 2
Fire Blanket in Galley 1 1

16.2. Radio Installation

16.2.3. If VHF Antenna on mast then emergency antenna to be carried.
16.2.6. Fixed VHF installation to be marked with vessel’s call sign and MMSI
16.2.6. Radio Distress Procedures to be posted near VHF. Just standard procedures available from any coastguard
16.2.6. Operating Instructions to be provided for Portable VHF
TB 16.1 VHF DSC Required
TB 16.1 Portable VHF Required
TB 16.1 Portable VHF to be of Waterproofed type or Waterproof Cover provided.

17. Navigation Lights, Shapes and Sound Signals

LOA Sail under Power Sail under Sail Anchored Not Under Command Aground Sound Appliances
7-12m All round white + sidelights OR masthead + side lights + stern light OR (if lights have to be offset from centreline) combined lantern side lights plus either all round white or masthead and stern light Sidelights + stern light (sidelights may be combined) OR Tricolour at masthead Night : All round white Day : One black ball at forward Not required Not Required Air Horn
12-20m Masthead (vis 3 miles) + sidelights + stern light Sidelights + stern light (sidelights may be combined ) OR Tricolour at masthead Night : All round white Day : One black ball at forward Night : Two all round red lights in vertical line two metres apart and lowest not less than 4m above weatherdeck.

Day  : Two black balls in vertical line 1.5m apart

 Night : Two all round red lights in a vertical line 2 metres apart plus anchor light;

Day : three black balls (0.6 metres diameter) in a vertical line, 1.5 metres apart.

 Whistle and Bell Required
20-24m Masthead (vis 5 miles) + sidelights Sidelights + stern light, two all round lights near masthead (upper red, lower green) Night : All round white Day : One black ball at forward Night : Two all round red lights in vertical line two metres apart and lowest not less than 4m above weatherdeck.

Day  : Two black balls in vertical line 1.5m apart

 Night : Two all round red lights in a vertical line 2 metres apart plus anchor light;

Day : three black balls (0.6 metres diameter) in a vertical line, 1.5 metres apart.

 Whistle and bell approved by UK nominated bodies

Not under command lights can be portable type with wire 2 metres apart and with securing method and 12v wire connection to socket at helm or chart table. Required above 12m below 12m not required.

Navigational Equipment

18.1.1. Magnetic Compass required or Fluxgate compass with battery separate to main
18.1.1. Magnetic Compass to have deviation card made by competent person. Skipper is accepted.

6.) Each magnetic compass required to be carried by the Regulations shall be properly adjusted and its table or curve of residual deviations available at all times.

Magnetic compasses should be adjusted when:

a.) they are first installed;

b.) they become unreliable;

c.) the ship undergoes structural repairs or alterations that could affect its permanent and induced magnetism;

d.) electrical or magnetic equipment close to the compass is added, removed or altered; or,

e.) a period of two years has elapsed since the last adjustment and a record of compass deviations has not been maintained, or the recorded deviations are excessive or when the compass shows physical defects.
18.1.1.3 Compass Light required
18.1.1.4 Handbearing Compass required
18.3.2.1 GPS required with distance log

19. Miscellaneous Equipment

19.1. Nautical Publications

International Code of Signals

Mariners’ Handbook

Notices to Mariners

Admiralty List of Radio Signals (Volume 5 for Mediterranean)

Lists of Lights

Sailing Directions

Nautical Almanac

Navigational Tables

Operating and Maintenance Instructions for Navigational Aids Carried by the Ship

Less than 12m length are not required to carry these publications and can carry suitable Nautical Almanac instead.

19.1. Up to date charts to be carried. Electronic are permitted.
19.2. Signalling Lamp required
19.3. Radar Reflector required. Prefer the proper cylinder type but will accept basic tube type also which have worse performance.
19.4.1. Barometer required
19.4.2. Inclinometer required for >15 persons
19.4.3. Anemometer required
19.5. Searchlight required
19.6. Standing rigging wire cutter required. For large diameter rigging, rod, dyform it will likely be more effective to have a battery powered small circular grinding wheel.

20. Anchors and Cables

20.3.1. The length of anchor cable should be not less than 4 x the vessel’s mean length or 30 metres, whichever is the longer, for each of the main and kedge anchors.
20.3.3. When the anchor cable is of fibre rope or wire, there should be not less than 10 metres or 20% of the minimum required cable length, whichever is the greater, of chain between the rope and the anchor.
20.5.1. When an anchor mass is more than 30kg, an efficient mechanical means should be provided for handling the anchor.
20.5.3. A vessel should be provided with at least two anchors (one main and one kedge or two main) and cables.
20.4.1. A towline to be provided of not less than the length and diameter of the kedge anchor cable.

Minimum Anchor Mass and Cable Requirements

Mean length is defined as (Length + Length on Waterline) / 2.

Mean Length Anchor Mass Anchor Cable Diameter
metres Main Kedge Main Chain Main Rope Kedge Chain Kedge Rope
6 8 4 6 12 6 10
7 9 4 8 12 6 10
8 10 5 8 12 6 10
9 11 5 8 12 6 10
10 13 6 8 12 6 10
11 15 7 8 12 6 10
12 18 9 8 14 8 12
13 21 10 10 14 8 12
14 24 12 10 14 8 12
15 27 13 10 14 8 12
16 30 15 10 14 8 12
17 34 17 10 14 8 14
18 38 19 10 16 8 14
19 42 21 12 16 10 14
20 47 23 12 16 10 14
21 52 26 12 16 10 14
22 57 28 12 19 10 16
23 62 31 12 19 10 16
24 68 34 12 19 10 16

21.2.4. Sleeping Accommodation

21.2.4. At least 50% of bunks or cots to be fitted with lee boards or lee cloths.

 21.2.5. Galley

21.2.5.2 Gimballed Cooker requires crash bar to prevent it being tilted accidentally by banging into it when set free to swing.
21.2.5.2 Cook to be provided with strap to be secured in position with both hands free for working when vessel is rolling. This can be secured to the crash bar
21.2.5.2 Gimballed Cooker to be provided with gimbal lock

22.3. Sailing Vessels

22.3.1. Railings to be not less than 600mm above the deck. This is usually fine but if not will require replacement of the railings or additional height added. It is possible to restrict passengers going to the bow beyond a certain point and placing a sign in this location but it is more likely for that method to be used on motor yacht where it is actually common.
22.3.1. Rails or wires to be supported at intervals not exceeding 2.2 metres.

22.4. Safety Harnesses

22.4.6. Jackstays to be fitted. These would be led from cleat to cleat at the side decks

22.5. Toe Rails

22.5. A toe rail of not less than 25mm in height to be fitted around the working deck.

22.8. Recovery of Persons from the Water

22.8. An overside boarding ladder or scrambling net which extends from the weather deck to at least 600mm below the operational waterline, or other means to aid the recovery of an unconscious person from the water to be provided.

25.1. Sailing Vessel Features

25.1.1. Storm Sails to be carried (Storm Jib and Deep reef in main of 60% hoist or Tri Sail). Storm jib to be provided with dedicated stay or a means to attach the luff (via loop) to the the genoa furler.
25.1.3. Spars and rigging inspection by rigger required at least once during the term of the certificate and a report provided.

27.4.2. Examination requirements other than compliance or renewal 

Carrying 15 or less persons and carrying cargo less than 1000Kg. Annual inspection is by Owner or Managing Agent and 3 year in water inspection is by Authorised person (Coding Surveyor).

Carrying 16 or more persons annual inspection is by Authorised person (Coding Surveyor).

Annex 5 – LPG Installation for Domestic Use

Annex 5 LPG installation to be as per CE rules
5.1. Gas water heaters to be of room sealed type
7.1. Gas detector and alarm to be fitted in galley
8.1. Gas notice to be posted at galley

The information given should include the following:-

.1 The need to be ever alert for gas leakage; and

.2 When leakage is detected or suspected, all gas-consuming appliances should be shut off at the main supply from the container(s). NO SMOKING should be permitted until it is safe to do so (i.e. the gas leakage has been eliminated and the spaces fully ventilated)

.3 NAKED LIGHTS SHOULD NEVER BE USED AS A MEANS OF LOCATING GAS LEAKS.

MLC Certification

MLC Certification is required. Additional advice to be provided on this.

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