Maritime Coastguard Agency
This Code must, from the date of entry into force (13 December 2023), be used for new workboats and pilot boats.
Existing vessels that are certificated under the Brown Code, its equivalent standard published in the technical Annex to MGN 280(M), or Workboat Code Edition 2, Amendment 1 shall meet the requirements of Workboat Code Edition 3 by the vessels next renewal examination or three years after the date of entry into force of the Code, whichever is later, except, where references to previous requirements are explicitly specified within individual sections of the Code they may comply with such requirements.
New vessels which have their keels laid, or are at a similar stage of construction, between the entry into force of Workboat Code Edition 2 and the date of entry into force of the Code, may be considered as existing vessels that are certificated under Workboat Code Edition 2; or shall meet the requirements of Workboat Code Edition 3 in full.
It should also be noted that, where any existing vessel upgrades, and phases-in, to the Workboat Code Edition 3 regime, it must do so fully. A vessel cannot meet a combination of the Workboat Code Edition 3 standards and those of earlier codes or standards.
This Code should be read in conjunction with SI 2023 No. 1216.