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Small Commercial Vessels
Small Commercial
Vessels (SCV) are described as any vessel, motor or sail, which are less
than 24 meters load line length (approx 78’9”), engaged at sea on a
commercial basis and do not carry cargo or more than 12 passengers. This
includes all charter boats, bareboat or skippered, day charter or term
charter.
In February 2004 the BVI
Government enacted a law which dictates that all SCV which operate in the
British Virgin Islands have to be certified to comply with the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency Code
of Practice. This is the “Blue” code for sailing vessels and “Yellow”
code for motor vessels. The operators of the boats were given 12 months
to come to compliance. This time has now passed and all vessels are
supposed to be in compliance.
The Blue code book is
available as a PDF download HERE
The Yellow code book is
available as a PDF download HERE.
These codes have now been
replaced by the “Combined Code” available as a PDF download HERE
Vessels originally Coded
Yellow or Blue will continue as such but new Code vessels will be coded
under the Combined Code
The Codes are however not
being implemented in the BVI exactly as written. For example, hatches may
open forward.
The process is as follows.-
Apply to a Certifying Authority such as the BVI Government or the Royal
Yachting Association for a “Certificate of Inspection” and they will
appoint an inspector to go over your vessel. Your application will also need the following,
applicable fee, supporting documents, Radio Licence, Captains Licence /
qualifications, Stability information, Bill of Sale. The inspector will
go over the vessel and give you a list of items requiring remedial
action. When repairs have been completed, the Certificate will be issued.
To download a copy of the
BVI Maritime Administration form to apply for a Certificate of Inspection
click HERE.
To download a further
guidance paper from the BVI Government click HERE
W. Bailey AMS, MIIMS is
approved by the following Certifying Authorities, International Institute
of Marine Surveying, Royal
Yachting Association, Government of the BVI, as a MCA Inspector for Code
inspections. Caribbean Marine Surveyors offer two services for MCA Code
compliance. First we offer a “Pre-inspection”. We will go over your boat
and give you a report indicating what you need to do to achieve
compliance. Most people find this very useful as we will tell you what
equipment you need to obtain and this means that you do not waste money
on unnecessary items. We charge US$250.00 for this inspection. However if
we do the inspection at the same time as a survey for insurance, we will
only charge an addition US$100.00 to our normal fee. Our second
inspection type is the inspection for Certification. If you are a RYA
Member, and are applying to the RYA for the Certificate, you will have
already paid the RYA for the inspection and they will pay our fees
directly. Otherwise if you are applying to another Certifying Authority,
such as the BVI Government, or the International Institute of Marine
Surveying we can provide you with an inspection report acceptable to the
Certifying Authority. This will cost US$700.00. The full inspection is in
and out of water. If this survey is carried out at the same time as an
insurance survey, we will offer a 50% discount on the MCA Inspection
There are various reasons why you should be in
compliance with the SCV Code. The vessel is liable to seizure by the BVI
Government (unlikely but possible). Your insurance may be void if there
is a clause which states that you “warrant that the vessel complies with
local laws or regulations” or similar clause. Also should you be involved
in an accident, the BVI Courts will very likely poor view a non compliant
vessel.
STABILITY ASSESSMENT
All vessels operating in Category 0 or 1, or
carry 16 or more persons, or carry cargo greater than 1000kg, or fitted
with a crane, or towing vessels need to have a full stability assessment
and booklet. All multihulls over 6 meters need to have a full stability
assessment and booklet. Other vessels can be given a simplified stability
assessment as required by
the Certifying Authority. Caribbean Marine Surveyors are fully approved
and equipped to carry out both inclining experiments for the stability
booklet and heel tests for the simplified method.
Please contact us for more information info@caribbeanmarinesurveyors.com
Tel 284 494 2091
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