The Red Ensign Group launch public consultation

The Red Ensign Group of British maritime administrations (REG) have launched a public consultation on the new Red Ensign Group Yacht Code, which is planned for publication in November 2017.

The REG dominates the large yacht market, and its members (the UK, together with its Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories) have worked continuously to develop forward-looking codes to keep pace with emerging technological opportunities and safety standards. The new code, authored by a cross-REG working group under a secretariat provided by the Cayman Islands, will update the Large Yacht Code (LY3) and Passenger Yacht Code (PYC) within a single publication.

A key feature of the new Code has been the exceptionally close collaboration between the REG administrations and groups representing the large yacht industry across the world.  This reflects the  international nature of the existing codes’ users, and will ensure that the new Code continues as the world’s most relevant and authoritative international standard for the design, construction and operation of large yachts.

Alan Massey, MCA Chief Executive and Chair of the REG said: ‘It makes absolute sense for us to engage with those people for whom the new Code will have the greatest value and impact. We involved ten working groups across three countries - more than 300 delegates in total - in discussions with the REG.

‘These working groups represented a wide span of the industry, including captains and crews, shipyards, naval architects and managers, classification societies, associations and industry bodies.  We asked them to contribute innovative and creative thinking to the new Code, building on the success of the REG’s leadership in this sector since the first Large Yacht Code was published exactly 20 years ago’.

www.redensigngroup.org/consultations.aspx

The consultation continues until 13th October, spanning the industry’s premier gathering at the Monaco Yacht Show at the end of September in order to further fuel the discussions.  The New REG Yacht Code will then be published at The Global Superyacht Forum in Amsterdam on 13th November.

Alan concludes: ‘We strongly encourage people to offer their views, ideas and concerns through this consultation.  Doing so will help us produce a document that is useful, relevant and authoritative for the next 20 years’.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Red Ensign Group Yacht Code will be a code of two parts with common annexes, enabling builders and designers to continue to recognise the familiar formats of the existing REG codes. An updated version of LY3 in Part A will continue to be applied to yachts that are 24m-plus in load line length, in commercial use for sport or pleasure and don’t carry cargo or more than 12 passengers.

Part B will consist of the latest version of the PYC applicable to yachts of any size, in private use or engaged in trade, which carry more than 12 but not more than 36 passengers and don’t carry cargo.

The new code will aim to make better use of industry best practice and international standards such as ISO. It will also follow the IMO’s overarching remit for increased ‘goal-based’ standards as a form of regulations, allowing room for further flexibility and innovation in the design and construction of yachts.

The Red Ensign Group is comprised of the United Kingdom, Crown Dependencies (Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey) and UK Overseas Territories (Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, St Helena and the Turks & Caicos islands).


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