GovWire

The Merchant Shipping (Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure) Regulations 2025 (the new Regulations) will apply to vessels used commercially for Sport or Pleasure. The new Regulations will apply to seagoing United Kingdom vessels wherever they may be and to other seagoing vessels operating from United Kingdom ports whilst in United Kingdom waters.

The new Regulations will revoke and replace the Merchant Shipping (Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/2771) (the 1998 Regulations). The new Regulations will give effect to two Codes of Practice: Part A of the REG Yacht Code for large vessels of 24 metres or more load line length and the new Sport or Pleasure Vessel Code for small vessels of less than 24 metres load line length. The new Regulations will provide a more coherent legal framework for operators of large or small vessels operating commercially for sport or pleasure.

Part A of the REG Yacht Code already has effect. The REG Yacht Code is not the subject of this consultation; however, the new Regulations will continue to give effect to this Code as well as set out comprehensive requirements for the survey and certification of large vessels.

The new Sport or Pleasure Vessel Code reflects the development of standards since the publication of the previous editions, addresses a number of key Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) recommendations into improving safety standards for vessels in this sector and contains a regulatory framework for vessels using alternative fuel sources and propulsion types that will keep the UK at the forefront of decarbonising the shipping industry.

The new Regulations also make consequential amendments to other instruments to ensure that the requirements for vessels in commercial use for sport or pleasure apply consistently across the maritime regulatory framework.