MCA Inspections, Solent, Summer 2005

[MCA]

As you will almost certainly be aware there are a number of high-profile events taking place during the summer months in the Solent, including the International Fleet Review, the International Festival of the Sea, the return of the Global Challenge fleet, Cowes Week and the British Powerboat Grand Prix.

If you are planning on operating your vessel for non-pleasure purposes during these events the MCA understands that you would prefer not to be boarded during when you may have clients onboard. Please arrange a pre-summer 2005 inspection during April, May and early June with the MCA. If your vessel has not received a pre-summer 2005 inspection the MCA may board during one of the summer events in the Solent to ensure compliance.

We would expect to find that all vessels operating for non-pleasure purposes are carrying an appropriate statutory certificate for their area of operation. An appropriate certificate may be a Local Authority Licence for operation within the Solent, or a Small Commercial Vessel Certificate. Those vessels with Small Commercial Vessel Certificates for a sport or pleasure vessel should comply with the Code of Practice for which a certificate of compliance has been issued to the vessel even though the vessel is not at sea. A copy of the certificate should be onboard (however on a RIB or other open vessel, I would recommend a copy of the certificate is carried, or the certificate is laminated).

Although not at sea, on a skippered charter we would expect the minimum qualification of the skipper on a Small Commercial Vessel to be a commercially endorsed RYA Powerboat Level 2 Certificate (for a motor vessel), and a commercially endorsed RYA Day Skipper Practical (Sailing), (for a sailing vessel). On a bareboat charter, the owner should be satisfied that the person in charge of the vessel is capable of operating the vessel. If the vessel is on a bareboat charter, but being used for further commercial work, the standard minimum manning requirements (above) apply.

To arrange an pre-summer 2005 inspection or if you have any questions please call the MCA’s Southampton Marine Office on 023 8032 9329.

[scm]

non-pleasure purposes during these events

Does this include being a marshal for the fleet review working under a warrant issued by QHM?
If so, perhaps you could send the above message to the Portsmouth QHM who will have apporx 100 ribs at his disposal during the fleet review.
Regards
SM

[Jono]

I've got some questions here...

1) Who, exactly, are you ? You put down MCA. Are we to understand that you are the lawful representative of The Maritime and Coastguard Agency? If so please give your name and position within that agency.

2) Why do you use the phrase "expect to find" in this post?

3) Why do you use the word "should" and not "must" in several areas?

I'm only curious, please don't take offence...I just like to be crystal clear on things.....

[Andy]

How does the MCA normally communicate with commercial skippers?

[tim griffin]

This is the notice that i have seen posted around various marina's so i guess someone is trying to be helpful to us commercial skippers . I think they would have been better saying who they are rather than just stating MCA . But it is a true statement so any one trying to blag work and is not coded MCA or local Authority don't do it as they do board you some are quite pleasant and the clients think its fun kind of Miami Vice . Others are a tad less pleasant and can be quite rude and this can be quite upsetting to clients .

[Scary Des]

Originally Posted by scm

Does this include being a marshal for the fleet review working under a warrant issued by QHM?

No MCA QHM MOD and RYA and for all I know EOE are working together on this event and have an understanding about what is expected of the Marshals.
MCA are after unscrupulous commercial operator cashing-in with passengers they may not be allowed to take. Des

[scm]

Funny, not what the guy at the MCA said to me

[Andy]

scm ...... you seem to want to prove us all wrong on this one and you seem slightly bitter!

Let's say QHM did pay you commercial boys to do this ... do you have 100 RIBs, all coded with 100 skippers all ready to go?

The money for commercial boys will be in taking out the press and fee paying public on expensive charters.

Your arguement is not lost on me, just take it to QHM, all the good people on here have done is volenteer their valuable free time when asked by a respected local authority to help out in an hostorical event. They are making no money and are giving far more than they are taking.

[Rogue Wave]

what's the point of having the coding sticker on your boat if your gonna get inspected all the time! Why not just inspect the boats without a sticker!

I don't have a problem with running the cowboys out of town.

Doh!

[Scary Des]

Originally Posted by scm

Funny, not what the guy at the MCA said to me

Funny, that is what the guy at the MCA said to me