Is coding required?

[CJL]

If somebody wants to charter me and my boat to do some safety cover work, without taking fee paying passengers do I need to get the boat coded for use on the sea??

Chris

[pop]

i dont think so mate you can get info on mca website there is a coding news letter try that it simplifies things a little

fun ribbing

[Andy Gee]

Originally Posted by CJL

If somebody wants to charter me and my boat to do some safety cover work, without taking fee paying passengers do I need to get the boat coded for use on the sea??

Chris

If he's paying you hard cash or fuel then yes yould would have to be coded , there is a memerandum (sp) of understanding between the MCA etc that also cover's inland waterways, non-coastal waters etc etc concerning workboat operations.
HTH
Andy

[CJL]

and if they just cover my expenses and I don't actually recieve payment??

[Simon Hawkins]

If you are not taking fair paying passengers then no you wont ned to be coded. With regards to the safety boat side of things make sure your boat is Insured for this use, and make sure you are competant in what you are doing.

Simon

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by CJL

If somebody wants to charter me and my boat to do some safety cover work, without taking fee paying passengers do I need to get the boat coded for use on the sea??

Chris

Anything involving the word Charter has to involve coding and being a commercial skipper in my opinion - the way I look at things is that if something goes wrong and you're not qualified and don't have the right safety equipment on board, then the courts will hold you responsible.

Doing safety work for racing is a different thing - you're not being chartered - Just my opinion!

[Andy Gee]

Originally Posted by Simon Hawkins

If you are not taking fair paying passengers then no you wont ned to be coded. With regards to the safety boat side of things make sure your boat is Insured for this use, and make sure you are competant in what you are doing.

Simon

It would depend on what you are being a safety boat for, if for example it is for another company and they are paying you then you would require to be coded under the workboat code.
Just because you do not carry fare paying passengers does mean that you are exempt from the exisiting yellow code but not the brown i.e workboat.

I am by no means an expert in codes, but have a pretty good understanding of them and have been working with them since there introduction.
If I am unsure of any work being offered I usually phone the local MCA surveyors and take their advice, as it's them that would prosecute if it all turned to shite.
HTH
Andy

[Simon Hawkins]

I am not an expert neither, but if what you are saying is correct that would mean that every Club Safety boat would have to be coded. If a vessel is used in SAR then yes this would have to be coded under the safety Boat Code. I do stand to be corrected though.

[Andy Gee]

Originally Posted by Simon Hawkins

I am not an expert neither, but if what you are saying is correct that would mean that every Club Safety boat would have to be coded. If a vessel is used in SAR then yes this would have to be coded under the safety Boat Code. I do stand to be corrected though.

Members club safety boats are to a degree exempt form the rules, as are safety boats that are covering racing, so long as they are not Chartered or employed to carry out these duties.
There are also other types of safety duties, such as giving boat cover to men/people working over water, safety cover for commercial diving operation, filming work where actors etc enter the water the list is endless and would come under the workboat code.
HTH
Andy

[DGR]

I think that if you receive monies, or benefits for doing the work, then you need to be coded.

If you are helping out doing safety cover on a sunday morning for the local sailing club (even if they pay for your fuel) then I don't think you do need to be coded. I understand that it depends on whether you are paid for it (and therefore a commercial charter) or not.

Either way - it is explained quite clearly in the MCA harmised coding document mentioned earlier.

Hope this helps.

Dylan...

[Jimbob]

I would check with the MCA.

The new rules (harmonised) are for small vessels in commercial use for sport and pleasure. The word Charter is important in this instance.

Also the Vessel has various definitions as i remember , if you read this section (about page 24/25) of MGN 280

If you own the vessel it will be on a free voyage - providing its your family then it needs no coding - not a surprise as this is what most boater do, however further on it talks about ownership of the vessel (clubs).

In your case you own the vessel but want to help a club, which crosses the boundaries

I would say you have to code in this instance. The best option is to get the club to insure your boat for safety cover, you will still have to ensure you have the correct gear and are trained.

Hope this helps