Sailing vessels engaged in racing and the MCA Sport or Pleasure Vessel Code
Guidance for sailing vessels competing in racing events where their use is classed as commercial activity
Introduced in 2025, the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) Sport or Pleasure Vessel Code includes a dedicated section for sailing vessels engaged in racing activities. This replaces Section 28 of MGN 280. It applies to sailing vessels that fall under the definition of a commercial vessel and are competing in a racing event. The requirements are based on the World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations and some additional requirements.
Vessels that meet the definition of a pleasure vessel – for example, privately owned yachts where the crew are not paying to be onboard - do not need to comply with this section of the Code.
Key changes from Section 28 of MGN 280
- Vessels racing in MCA Area Category 0-3 (including any racing at night or more than 20 miles from a safe haven) require an inspection by an RYA surveyor not more than 2 years before the race or following any grounding
- Vessels racing in MCA Area Categories 4-6 require an inspection by the owner or someone they appoint not more than 2 years before the race or following any grounding
- All vessels are required to have a Safety Management System in place
- Vessels racing outside UK waters will need a Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) inspection
Who needs to comply
Coded vessels
Section 27A of the Sport or Pleasure Vessel Code allows coded vessels (those already certificated under an MCA code of practice) to operate beyond their normal area category of operation, or without their full code equipment or manning, for competing in a racing event provided they meet the requirements in Section 27A.1.1.
Vessels must comply with the relevant World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations and any other relevant rules in place for the racing event.
The requirements differ depending on how far offshore the race will take the yacht, with those racing at night or more than 20 miles from a safe haven requiring further checks. The Organising Authority may also conduct their own checks.
Non-coded vessels
Section 27A of the Sport or Pleasure Vessel Code allows non‑coded vessels (those not certificated under an MCA code of practice) to operate as commercial vessels for competing in a racing event provided they meet the requirements in Section 27A.1.2.
You will need to apply to the RYA for a Racing Charter Licence which certifies the vessel as being a vessel in commercial use only for the purpose of racing. This certificate will list the names of the racing events that the vessel plans to take part in.
Requirements for sailing vessels engaged in racing activities
The requirements differ depending on how far offshore the race will take the yacht, with those racing at night or more than 20 miles from a safe haven requiring further checks.
In all cases, the vessel must have processes in place to ensure there are suitable structural inspections, planned maintenance and onboard procedures covering emergency actions.
At least two years before the start of the race, or after a grounding, the vessel must be examined out of the water, including checks of the appendages. For vessels racing in daylight and within 20 miles of a safe haven, this inspection can be performed by the owner or someone they appoint. For vessels racing at night or more than 20 miles from a safe haven, the inspection must be undertaken by an RYA authorised surveyor.
Category descriptions
Where the Notice of Race specifies an OSR category, this should be followed. If not, the MCA area categories align as follows:
| MCA Area Category of Operation | World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations Category |
| 0 – unlimited | Category 0 |
| 1 & 2 – up to 150 miles from safe haven | Category 1 |
| 3 – up to 20 miles from safe haven | Category 2 |
| 4 – up to 20 miles from safe haven in favourable weather and daylight | Category 3 |
| 5 – within 3 miles of land and not more than 3 miles radius from point of departure, in favourable weather | Category 4 |
| 6 – within 3 miles of land and not more than 3 miles radius from point of departure, in favourable weather and daylight | Special Regulations for Inshore Racing (OSR Appendix B) |
Example scenarios
Puddleton-on-Sea Yacht Club (PYC) is organising its annual keelboat regatta. The event consists of several passage races held within 20 miles of the harbour and during the day. There is also an optional overnight feeder race for boats travelling from further along the coast.
The Notice of Race states that yachts should comply with OSR Category 4 or, for the feeder race, OSR Category 3.
A crew from further afield have told the event organisers they are keen to come and race but don’t have their own yacht. They are hoping someone might be able to charter them one for the event.
Example 1
Steve owns a 43ft yacht which he normally races in the regatta himself, but this year he is going to be away on holiday. Steve regularly takes part in PYC’s offshore series, so the yacht is compliant with the requirements of OSR Category 3. He is happy to offer it for charter because it will help him pay for a new spinnaker. However, because his yacht is not commercially coded, he is concerned about what regulations might apply.
Because the yacht is not commercially coded, Steve will need to apply to the RYA for a Racing Charter Licence. Steve must ensure that the vessel has been examined out of the water within the last two years. If the crew chartering the yacht only want to compete in the day races, Steve can carry out the inspection himself and can use the OSR Appendix L and OSR Cat 4 checklists produced by World Sailing. If the crew want to participate in the passage race, the inspection must be carried out by an RYA authorised surveyor.
Example 2
The local RYA Recognised Training Centre, Harbour Breeze Sailing School (HBSS), has a 36ft yacht that it uses for running the RYA Sail Cruising Scheme courses. The yacht is commercially certified to MCA Area Category of Operation 2.
Because the yacht already has a Small Commercial Vessel Certificate, an RYA Racing Charter Licence is not required. HBSS should ensure that the vessel meets the relevant OSR category requirements, which may be less than the MCA Cat 2 certification requires. HBSS can remove equipment that is required for MCA Cat 2 but not required for OSR Cat 3 or 4.
HBSS will need to ensure that the vessel has been examined out of the water within the last two years. If the crew chartering the yacht only want to compete in the day races, HBSS can undertake the inspection and can use the OSR Appendix L and OSR Cat 4 checklists produced by World Sailing. If the crew want to participate in the passage race, the inspection will need to be carried out by their Certifying Authority or an RYA authorised surveyor.
Further questions
If you require further guidance, please contact the RYA team.