UK MCA: Ensuring safety for UK seafarers

According to UK MCA, vessel traffic management can involve Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) or Local Port Services (LPS).

Vessel traffic services

Local Port Service

A local port service is applicable to those ports where it has been identified from their Formal Safety Assessment that a VTS is excessive or inappropriate but there is still a need to disseminate information to those using the port. This is not a lower standard or poorer service – it just means that VTS is not provided.

Navigational warnings

MCA is responsible for broadcasting the warnings issued by the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) to vessels at sea. Radio broadcasts are made about known and potential risks.

‘Navigational warnings: reporting and broadcasting hazards at sea’ outlines:

• how and when warnings are broadcast
• what kind of activities require a warning
• how to inform UKHO that a hazard requires a navigational warning

Digital nautical publications

Ship operators and owners must meet approval and installation standards for electronic equivalents of nautical charts and publications.

Digital nautical publications – requirements and equivalency

The safety of life at sea (SOLAS) convention chapter V regulation 19.2.1.4 states that all ships whatever their size must have “nautical charts and nautical publications to plan and display the ship’s route for the intended voyage and to plot and monitor positions throughout the voyage” and that “an electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) is also accepted as meeting the chart carriage requirements”.

SOLAS chapter V regulation 2.2 defines that a nautical chart or nautical publication as “a special-purpose map or book, or a specially compiled database from which such a map or book is derived, that is issued officially by or on the authority of a government, authorised hydrographic office or other relevant government institution and is designed to meet the requirements of marine navigation”.

Requirements for ECDIS mandatory carriage is further detailed within SOLAS V/19 and a key point to note is that should a vessel’s primary means of navigation be conducted electronically then a suitable backup must be provided. This may be electronic (type approved) or paper.

The use of Digital nautical publications is accepted on UK registered vessels only if the system in use has been provided an MCA issued recognition letter. The use of digital nautical publications on a vessel must comply with requirements as described in Annex C of  MGN 610 (M+F) SOLAS chapter V: Guidance on the merchant shipping (safety of navigation) regulations 2020.

Alternative arrangements

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) makes exemptions or alternative arrangements from the requirements for certain types of vessel, for example:

• MCA code vessels under 24 metres in length – refer to marine guidance note MGN 293 (M+F)
• MCA code vessels under 24 metres in length – Electronic charting regulations via the Mini-ECDIS standard with full guidance in MGN 319 (M+F) as amended.
• Pleasure vessels below 150 GT – refer to Statutory Instrument 2020 No.673 The Merchant Shipping (Safety of Navigation) Regulations.
• Fishing vessels of over 15 and less than 24 metres in length – refer to MSN 1872 (F) The Code of Safe Working Practice for the Construction and Use of Fishing Vessels of 15m Length Overall to less than 24m Registered Length
• Fishing vessels over 24 metres in length – refer to MSN 1873 (F) The Code of Practice for the Construction and Safe Operation of Fishing Vessels of 24m Registered Length and Over

SOLAS Chapter V

SOLAS Chapter V applies (in parts) to all vessels and stipulates all aspects of safe navigation both onboard the vessel and coastal state.

COLREG Guidance

As explained, all vessels, including personal watercraft as defined within the Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) Order 2023 are required to comply the Collision Regulations (COLREG).