The Safety of Small Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure – A Code of Practice
Understand how the MCA’s code of practice for small commercial vessels in use for sport or pleasure applies
Introduced in December 2025, the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) Sport or Pleasure Vessel Code provides a single, modern code of practice for small commercial vessels under 24 m in commercial use for sport or pleasure. It brings previous guidance together into one consolidated framework.
What it replaces
The Sport or Pleasure Vessel Code replaces:
- The Blue, Yellow, and Red Codes
- MGN 280
- The Intended Pleasure Vessels (IPV) Code
Creating one unified standard, the new Code reflects developments in vessel design, propulsion technology, and safety practices, while supporting environmental goals such as decarbonisation. It also introduces clearer requirements for survey, inspection, and certification, and includes provisions for alternative fuels and hybrid/electric propulsion.
How it applies
- When a boat is no longer deemed to be a ‘pleasure vessel’, Merchant Shipping Regulations state that it should comply with the certification, survey, safety and manning standards laid down in the Safety of Small Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure – A Code of Practice (The Sport or Pleasure Vessel Code).
- The Code applies to small vessels under 24m that are in commercial use for sport or pleasure, carrying no cargo, and no more than 12 passengers.
- Vessels that meet the definition of a pleasure vessel remain out of scope and do not need to comply.
- Vessels operated by RYA Recognised Training Centres (RTC) in accordance with the Recognition Guidance Notes (RGN) for dinghy, keelboat, multihull, powerboat and personal watercraft centres, where training is delivered up to three miles out to sea in daylight hours only, do not need to comply. RYA recognition is recognised by the MCA as equivalent to Category 6 of the Code of Practice for Small Commercial Vessels.
- RTCs offering the Yachtmaster scheme, Advanced Powerboat or Tender Operator courses should have vessels which are certified to operate commercially and at night. RTCs offering the Powerboat Intermediate course may also require commercially certified vessels.
The Code is enabled by the Merchant Shipping (Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure) Regulations 2025 .
Race support boats
The Code contains a dedicated section for race support boats , replacing Part 2 of the Intended Pleasure Vessel (IPV) Code. This applies to vessels that become commercial vessels when used for race support activities such as a yacht chartered for use as a committee vessel for a regatta.
How to comply with the code
Small Commercial Vessel Certificates are issued by certifying authorities, such as the RYA , on behalf of the MCA. Each certifying authority holds a list of surveyors authorised by them to conduct coding surveys.
Once you have chosen a certifying authority, decided how far you want to operate (your area category of operation) and how many people you wish to carry, your certifying authority will appoint a surveyor to conduct a compliance examination of the vessel. The surveyor will advise you on what is required to bring the boat into compliance - checking things such as structural documentation, stability, and lifesaving appliances.
When the surveyor and certifying authority are satisfied that the vessel is compliant with the Code, and everything is in place, they will issue the certificate that allows the vessel to operate commercially.
Depending on the vessel operation profile, the certifying authority will advise on whether you require annual examinations by a surveyor or if you are able to self-declare.
