Race support boats and the MCA Sport or Pleasure Vessel Code

Key changes from Part 2 of the IPV Code  

• Payment  for race support boats is now permitted. 

• Night operations  are allowed, provided full manning requirements are met (e.g., Advanced Powerboat Commercially Endorsed).   

• The  RYA must issue a certificate  confirming OA affiliation and the legitimacy of the race.* 

* This service is available free of charge for affiliates through the RYA portal or by emailing  scvcert@rya.org.uk   

Requirements for race support boats  

Section 27B of the  Sport or Pleasure Vessel Code  allows  noncoded vessels  (those not certificated under an MCA code of practice) to operate as race support boats if they meet the minimum requirements listed in section 27B.2. 

The OA must have a  Safety Management System , following RYA affiliation recommendations. 

If the vessel has a  CE plate  or  UKCA plate  and complies with the  UK Recreational Craft Regulations (RCR) , some requirements may be considered met. However, the OA must ensure the vessel’s  design category  is appropriate for the expected operating conditions (see table below). 

If these conditions are satisfied, sections 27B 2.2 to 2.9 may be disregarded. 

Category descriptions  

[ insert example CE/UKCA plate picture ]  

Additional requirements  

Section 27B also sets out minimum requirements for: 

• Lifesaving appliances 

• Fire safety equipment 

• Radio equipment 

• Navigational equipment 

• Anchors and lines 

• Manning (including evidence of competence) 

• Pollution prevention  

A CE- or UKCA-plated vessel compliant with the Recreational Craft Regulations and meeting RYA Training Centre Coastal requirements qualifies with the addition of: 

• Two thermal protective aids (instead of one) 
• Two throwing lines (minimum length 18 m each) 

Understanding if you need to comply with the Code  

If your proposed usage of the vessel falls within the definition of a pleasure vessel, then it is not in commercial use, and you do not need to comply with the Code.  

In simple terms, if payment for a vessel owned by an individual or company is being made for use of the vessel beyond a contribution to the direct costs of the specific voyage (i.e., fuel, food and berthing costs but not general maintenance or upkeep) then the vessel is not a pleasure vessel and is subject to the regulations for commercial vessels. If the vessel is owned by a sailing club, then the club can charge for use of the vessel. It is important, however, to fully consider all the requirements of the pleasure vessel definition as payment is not the only factor. 

Example Scenarios  

We have written the following examples to help you understand when a vessel would be in commercial use.  

Puddleton-on-Sea Yacht Club (PYC) is organising its annual regatta and needs additional RIBs to bolster the safety fleet and to undertake mark laying duties in addition to its existing club RIBs. It also needs an additional committee vessel to allow it to run a second course area. The club committee is concerned about what regulations it may need to follow. 

Example 1  

North Puddleton Sailing Club (NPSC) has a 4.5m RIB which it has offered to charter to PYC for the regatta. NPSC has no involvement in the organisation of the PYC Annual Regatta and none of its members are competing in the event.  

This usage of the NPSC RIB would be considered commercial, as it cannot be claimed that the vessel is being used for the sport or pleasure of NPSC members. As it is to be used as a Race Support Boat, PYC can apply Section 27B of the Code. PYC must: 

• have a safety management system in place covering usage of the RIB, 

• apply to the RYA for a certificate confirming the vessel is in commercial use only for the purpose of race support activities 

• check the RIB to ensure it meets all Section 27B requirements.  

If NPSC members were competing in the event, the RIB’s use could be considered as for their sport, meaning it would meet the definition of a pleasure vessel. In that case, because it is owned by a club, payment in addition to expenses would be allowed.  

Example 2  

Steve has offered to provide his 43’ yacht for the PYC Annual Regatta. He owns his own yacht and is happy for the regatta to use it as a committee vessel, as long as he is the skipper and his fuel and berthing costs are covered. 

This usage of Steve’s yacht is as a pleasure vessel. He takes pleasure from volunteering and helping to run the committee boat and he receives no payment other than a contribution to direct expenses. 

The RYA recommends that a Safety Management System is in place covering the event including the use of the committee vessels but there are no additional regulatory requirements. 

Example 3  

Steve has become ill and can’t make the regatta, but he’s told the Regatta Chair they can still use his yacht for the committee vessel if his friend Sarah, who he trusts, is the skipper. Steve’s daughter Tina will be racing in the regatta in her Feva. 

This usage is still a pleasure vessel. Although Steve is unable to be onboard, the vessel is still being used for the sport of his immediate family, given his daughter is competing in the event, and it is being used for the pleasure of his friend Sarah, who is taking pleasure from volunteering and helping the event. 

Example 4  

Jenny is a member of NPSC and owns her own 5.8m RIB. She doesn’t have any involvement with PYC and is away on holiday whilst the regatta is happening, but she is happy for her RIB to be used as long as the cost of the fuel is covered. PYC intends to use it as a safety boat, with some of its regular club safety crew onboard. 

This usage of the RIB is considered commercial. Even though Jenny is not receiving any payment for its use, neither her, nor her immediate family or friends are getting any sport or pleasure from its use. Because it is to be used as a Race Support Boat, PYC can apply Section 27B of the Code. PYC must: 

• have a Safety Management System in place covering usage of the RIB, 

• apply to the RYA for a certificate confirming the vessel is in commercial use only for the purpose of race support activities 

• check the RIB to ensure it meets all Section 27B requirements.  

Example 5  

Chris is coming to the event to be an on-water judge. PYC have asked him if he would be able to bring and use his 5.3m RIB. Chris is happy to bring the RIB but has asked the club if they will cover his towing costs, fuel used at the event, and pay a nominal fee to help cover ‘ongoing maintenance costs and wear and tear’. 

This usage of the RIB is considered commercial. Even though Chris is operating the RIB himself, may be taking pleasure from volunteering his time as a race official, and is not profiting from the use of the RIB, he is receiving more than a contribution to the direct costs of the voyage. Because it is to be used as a Race Support Boat, PYC can apply Section 27B of the code. PYC must: 

• have a Safety Management System in place covering usage of the RIB, 

• apply to the RYA for a certificate confirming the vessel is in commercial use only for the purpose of race support activities 

• check the RIB to ensure it meets all Section 27B requirements.  

Example 6  

The local RYA Recognised Training Centre, Harbour Breeze Sailing School (HBSS) has a number of RIBs that it has offered to charter to PYC for the regatta. 

HBSS mainly uses its RIBs for Powerboat Level 2 courses and for instructors teaching the Dinghy Sailing Scheme courses which it runs. Although the normal use of the HBSS vessels does not meet the definition of pleasure vessel, they are not coded as they operate under the RYA MCA Code Equivalency Agreement for RTCs when operating in accordance with the recognition guidance notes (RGNs). 

When the HBSS RIBs are chartered to PYC for the event they are not being used for RTC activity covered by the RGNs and, therefore, cannot rely on the RYA MCA Code Equivalency Agreement for RTCs. Because the RIBS are to be used as a race support boats, PYC can apply Section 27B of the code. PYC must: 

• have a Safety Management System in place covering usage of the RIB, 

• apply to the RYA for a certificate confirming the vessel is in commercial use only for the purpose of race support activities 
• check the RIB to ensure it meets all Section 27B requirements.  

Further questions  

If your vessel is currently  coded , please contact your  certifying authority  directly for vessel-specific advice. 

If your affiliated organisation’s vessel is  not coded  and you require further guidance, please contact the  RYA team .