do you need coding

[nik]

I have done a search on coding and havnt found the answer, so here goes.

If I have a boat that I use as part of my business, but I do not carry passengers, does the boat need to be coded?

Nick.

[Tim M]

What do you use it for?

[nik]

Originally Posted by Tim M

What do you use it for?

To enable me to get photographs at sea

[SeaSkills]

Coding applies to "United Kingdom (UK) vessels of up to 24 metres Load Line length which are engaged at sea in activities on a commercial basis, which carry cargo and/or not more than 12 passengers, or provide a service in which neither cargo nor passengers are carried, or are UK pilot boats of whatever size."

You would be exempt from coding if you were operating solely as a pleasure vessel, but if you are using the boat for a commercial purpose - my reading of the regulations would be that you should get the boat coded. (I don't claim to be an expert, though - so I suggest you call the Technical Dept of the RYA or the MCA for a definitive answer)

[nik]

I phoned the mca today and, yes I do need to be coded.
Next, I have to see how feasible it is.

Nick.

[SeaSkills]

Originally Posted by nik

Next, I have to see how feasible it is.

And how expensive. Unfortunately, it doesn't come cheap (depending how much kit you have on board already, of course)

There are a number of different companies who can carry out a coding assessment for you. It's worth shopping around, prices vary considerable (We found the RYA to be the best option for us with RIBs)

[Tim M]

Nick. I assume you will be working mainly in the Solent? If so, you can get local area coding which is a lot less expensive and less hassle. Newport will still licence a boat without a liferaft, but of course you are limited to anywhere between Bembridge and the Needles, so photos of things like Round the Island Race might be a bit tricky.

[hamster]

Nik
If you are just going to be operating in the Solent then it may be worth looking into local authority coding instead of MCA coding as they often have slacker restrictions depending on how you intend to use the boat.
I believe you can code with any local authority that covers the Solent (Isle of Wight, Southampton, New Forest) and they all have slightly different regulations.
I know others on here have coded with Isle of Wight (Newport) council for boats that run out of Southampton due to this.
Speak to Doug at Stormforce as I know he coded his Ribeye with Isle of Wight ealier this year.

Hamster

[C2 RIBS]

Nik, I had one boat coded on a local authority level with Eastleigh initially under Hamble River Authority and it was only just a little cheaper but that was because they did not require a liferaft but recently the coding on local levels is going to almost the same position and then you are left stuck with one area of restricted waters. I have coded to MCA levels and this has higher requirements as to lifejackets on board and liferafts and helm qualifications and then the annual checks. Newport on the wight still did not need liferafts but check now as this coming year they may be forced to abide by higher levels which does make it costly unless you hire one for just days working as a commercial level which quite a few do even now. Generally the kit levels do not change much. If it works out too expensive then work out the costs to code your boat then maybe strike a deal on a local operator to take you out if anyone does hour trips that might be cheaper depending on your needs. Hope this helps

[nik]

Thanks Guys,
I started reading some stuff today and one thing I picked up on was that there appears to be a harmonisation process going on, which means that local authorities will be adopting mca standards.
A large document I was looking at had so much in it that was not relevant, cranes, tugs etc, it was hard to find the stuff that was. The chap at the mca who dealt with coding seemed very helpful, so I will be probably be speaking to him again.

Nick.