Published on: 21 March 2023
Wescom Group today announced that its commercial marine pyrotechnics have received MCA approvals to carry the Red Ensign logo. A Red Ensign UK Conformity Mark is now required for new marine safety equipment on board British-flagged vessels under updated MCA Requirements (performance and testing standards.)
The regulations under Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) MSN 1874 amendment 6 apply to marine equipment on commercial SOLAS vessels, including life saving appliances, manufactured from 2023 onwards.
The aim is to ensure the conformity of marine equipment, with a focus on improving safety at sea. The updated regulations apply to UK merchant ships, fishing vessels, small commercial vessels and large leisure craft.
Sean McCrystal, Marketing Director of world-leading marine pyrotechnic manufacturer Wescom Group, says: “Wescom have always been committed to the highest regularity and performance standards and are delighted to offer compliant pyrotechnics. UK fleet managers should review labelling on any new pyrotechnics brought onboard, to ensure their distress signals for the bridge, lifeboats and liferafts meet the new MCA regulations. Pains Wessex and Comet SOLAS distress signals, which carry the Red Ensign logo, are fully approved and available now.”
MED-approved equipment on board a UK-flagged vessel before 1 January 2023, can remain until the end of its operational life and products manufactured in 2022 can still be supplied without the Red Ensign.
Manufacturers must seek approval from MCA accredited (approved bodies) before their products can carry the Red Ensign mark. Certification lasts for up to five years.
About Wescom Group
Wescom Group has a global reputation for the manufacture of innovative survival solutions in the marine and defence sectors. It has specialist manufacturing facilities in the UK, Germany, Spain and Australia for SOLAS, MED, MER and USCG-approved pyrotechnic marine distress signals.
Its Pains Wessex, Comet, Oroquieta and Aurora brands which have a heritage dating back 400 years, provide pyrotechnic distress signals trusted by the world’s navies, lifeboat and rescue services and merchant fleets, while the
MRT brand is a global leader in personal locator beacons in the offshore energy sector.
For further information about Wescom Group, please visit www.wescom-group.com.
Update
What’s happening?
From 1 January 2023 new MCA legislation for a Red Ensign UK conformity mark is now required for new marine safety equipment on board British-flagged vessels, replacing European standards for marine safety products as part of the realignment of legislation post Brexit.
What is the legislation?
The regulations under Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) MSN 1874 amendment 6 apply to marine equipment.
What vessels are impacted by the change?
UK merchant ships, fishing vessels, small commercial vessels and large leisure craft.
What happens to non-approved products?
From the first of January all commercial Pyro that doesn’t carry the Red Ensign logo is no longer acceptable as the required distress and survival equipment onboard UK flagged vessels. MED-approved equipment placed on board a UK-flagged vessel before 1 January 2023, can remain until the end of its operational life when products carrying Red Ensign will then apply.
What is the main message to our customers?
All Pains Wessex and Comet brand SOLAS distress signals now carry the Red Ensign logo, are fully approved and available now.