UK MCA

UK MCA updates vessel inspection policy amid COVID-19

UK Maritime Coast Guard Agency (UK MCA) published a new policy concerning the UK Vessels which are prevented from arranging the relevant Surveys, Inspections and Audits required for compliance with the relevant Statutory Instruments due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

It should be reminded that from the 23rd March 2020, MCA Surveyors suspended routine survey and inspection activity either domestically or overseas. The relevant Recognised Organisations and Certifying Authorities have developed...

https://safety4sea.com/uk-mca-updates-vessel-inspection-policy-amid-covid-19/

Foreign flagged ship detentions in January 2020, UK

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) announced that during January there were two new detention of foreign flagged vessels in a UK port, while five foreign flagged ships remained under detention during January 2020 after failing port state control (PSC) inspection.

Notes on the list of detentions

  • Full details of the ship. The accompanying detention list shows ship’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) number which is unchanging throughout the ship’s life and uniquely identifies it....

https://safety4sea.com/foreign-flagged-ship-detentions-in-january-2020-uk/

UK MCA suspends IMO 2020 checks amid COVID-19 disruption

In efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on supply chains, the UK Maritime Coast Guard Agency has already suspended all checks on vessels for compliance with the 2020 sulphur cap regulations.

To remind, IMO’s 2020 sulphur cap regulation came into force on January 1st, 2020, aiming to crucially reduce shipping emissions.

Now, following the negative impact of the pandemic to the shipping industry, UK MCA stated that

in terms of enforcing IMO 2020 and ultimately MARPOL Annex VI requirements, as...

https://safety4sea.com/uk-mca-suspends-imo-2020-checks-amid-covid-19-disruption/

UK MCA: Zero new detentions of foreign flagged vessels in March 2020

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) announced that five foreign flagged ships remained under detention in UK ports during March 2020 after failing port state control (PSC) inspection, while there were zero new detentions.

Notes on the list of detentions

  • Full details of the ship. The accompanying detention list shows ship’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) number which is unchanging throughout the ship’s life and uniquely identifies it. It also shows the ship’s name and flag...

https://safety4sea.com/uk-mca-zero-new-detentions-of-foreign-flagged-vessels-in-march-2020/

UK’s foreign flagged ship detentions for February 2020

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) announced that during February there were four new detention of foreign flagged vessels in a UK port, while seven foreign flagged ships remained under detention during February 2020 after failing port state control (PSC) inspection.

Notes on the list of detentions

  • Full details of the ship. The accompanying detention list shows ship’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) number which is unchanging throughout the ship’s life and uniquely identifies...

https://safety4sea.com/uks-foreign-flagged-ship-detentions-for-february-2020/

UK MCA issues advice on seafarers training amid COVID-19

As the shipping industry is facing challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK issued information concerning seafarers training including, COVID-19 update, career information, written and oral exam syllabuses and details for nautical colleges and training centres.

Firstly, the UK published a contingency plan providing information concerning the repatriation and joining of seafarers from vessels.

Specifically, the areas affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the strategy implementation by...

https://safety4sea.com/uk-mca-issues-advice-on-seafarers-training-amid-covid-19/

UK MCA: Survey and inspection amid COVID-19

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency issued a marine information notice which sets out the policy of the MCA with respect to UK Vessels which are prevented from arranging the relevant Surveys, Inspections and Audits required for compliance with the relevant Statutory Instruments due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Specifically, the UK MCA has implemented contingency plans to mitigate disruption to essential statutory activities during the current worldwide coronavirus pandemic. The aim of the...

https://safety4sea.com/uk-mca-survey-and-inspection-amid-covid-19/

UK MCA: Drones can play major role in next-gen SAR operations

Drones play a major role today in shipping operations, with UK Maritime and Coast Guard Agency (MCA) commenting that ‘drones could be used in the future to help save life across the UK.’

Now, the UK MCA announced today that it is looking into a new project to investigate whether drones could improve rescue missions by visiting rescue sites ahead of air, sea or land based recovery teams; by providing a full picture of the situation and helping to develop the appropriate response.

Moreover, the...

https://safety4sea.com/uk-mca-drones-can-play-major-role-in-next-gen-sar-operations/

Captain fined after party boat collides with police dock and vessel

The captain and the owner of a passenger boat have been prosecuted by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency after it collided with both a police dock and police vessel, causing considerable damage.

The captain pleaded guilty to a charge of conduct endangering ships, structures or individuals under section 58 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. He was handed a fine of £1,120 and ordered to pay costs of £1,200 on 24 January 2020 when he appeared before Southwark crown court.

GET THE SAFETY4SEA IN...

https://safety4sea.com/captain-fined-after-party-boat-collides-with-police-dock-and-vessel/

UK MCA to use technology to monitor commercial fishing compliance to ILO 188

The UK Maritime CoastGuard Agency (UK MCA) began monitoring the country’s commercial fishing industry and compliance with ILO 188, assisted by technological means to monitor the situation.

Specifically, according to Marine Management Organisation’s (MMO) UK Sea Fisheries Statistics 2018, the fishing industry in the UK remains on the seventh spot in the EU; However, UK MCA highlights that commercial fishing is the most dangerous profession, with totally seven lives lost in 2019.

As stated above,...

https://safety4sea.com/uk-mca-to-use-technology-to-monitor-commercial-fishing-compliance-to-ilo-188/

+ More