Published on: 17 June 2021
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has opened a consultation on Marine Guidance Note (MGN) 535(M) updates to reflect the merchant shipping regulations 2020 amendment (safety standards for passenger ships on domestic voyages).
This consultation seeks comments on a draft updated MGN that reflects changes made in legislation relating to those domestic passenger ships which may be permitted to meet the standards contained in the Small Seagoing Passenger Ships (SSPS) Code.
MGN 535 Amendment 1 updates the original version of the MGN to reflect the fact that:
- The UK has left the European Union (EU); and
- Directive 2017/2108/EU, which removed vessels of under 24 metres in length from the scope of the Domestic Passenger Ships Directive 2009/45/EC, took effect prior to the UK leaving the EU, and was therefore implemented into UK law by the Merchant Shipping (Safety Standards for Passenger Ships on Domestic Voyages) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/1222)
The full consultation and all supporting documents can be found here, this consultation opened on 10/06/2021 and closes on 09/07/2021.
To respond to the consultation please complete the Annex A Response form and Annex B Feedback form and choose one of the following:
- Send an email to the MCA (dpv@mcga.gov.uk) and copy the British Marine technical team (technical@britishmarine.co.uk).
- Send an email to the British Marine technical team (technical@britishmarine.co.uk) using ‘MGN 535 consultation’ as your email subject and requesting the team forward the response on your behalf.