Guidance

MGN 702 (M) Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) of Less than 2.5 Metres in Length Overall

Published 5 August 2024

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Summary

This Marine Guidance Notice (MGN) explains a General Exemption which has been issued for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships of <2.5 metres in length overall.

This General Exemption enables eligible vessels to operate without certification issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), or its delegates.

This General Exemption is effective from 05 August 2024.

1. Introduction

1.1 Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) include every description of vessel or craft used in navigation that can for any part of its voyage, fully or in part navigate or operate autonomously or through remote operations.

1.2 Remotely Operated Unmanned Vessel (ROUV) means a vessel with no persons on board, that is operated from a location remote to the vessel.

  1. 2. Background

  2. 2.1 To date, there have been two pathways to certification available for MASS:

    1. 2.1.1 MASS may undertake a case-by-case assessment through application of the MGN 664 process and, if successful, may be issued with a load-line exemption certificate; or

    2. 2.1.2 ROUVs of <24 metres in load-line length may be surveyed and issued with a Workboat Code Edition 3 certificate.

  3. 2.2 To provide specific support to the MiniMASS sector the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have issued a General Exemption for MASS of <2.5 metres in length overall, which ensures that eligible vessels have an available proportional pathway.

  4. 2.3 Owners or operators of MASS of <2.5 metres in length overall may alternatively still choose to follow either of the pathways set out in 2.1.

  5. 2.4 This General Exemption is effective from 05 August 2024.

3. General Exemption for MASS <2.5 metres in Length Overall

3.1 This General Exemption only applies to MASS of <2.5 metres in length overall which comply with all of the conditions set out within the General Exemption.

3.2 There may be other Regulations which apply to a specific vessel. The owner/operator of a vessel has a responsibility to identify which Regulations apply to a specific vessel and its intended operations.

3.3 The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has made the assumption that MASS of <2.5 metres in length overall will not carry EPIRBs.

If the owner/operator of a vessel to which this General Exemption applies chooses to carry EPIRBs they shall comply with The Merchant Shipping (EPIRB Registration) Regulations 2000 (SI 2000/1850).

3.4 The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has made the assumption that MASS of <2.5 metres in length overall will not be designed or constructed to carry ballast water.

A MASS of <2.5 metres in length overall which is designed or constructed to carry ballast water shall comply with The Merchant Shipping (Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments) Regulations 2022 (SI 2022/737).

3.5 The Maritime and Coastguard Agency recommends that the operator of a MASS of <2.5 metres in length overall implements appropriate means to enhance the visibility and detectability of the vessel by other water users.

3.6 All MASS of <2.5 metres in length overall should consider fitting, where practicable, the most effective and appropriate radar reflector or radar target enhancer for their circumstances; and ensure those comply with international standards (see MGN 349, as amended).

3.7 The General Exemption will be reviewed alongside the Post-Implementation Review (PIR) of Workboat Code Edition 3.

3.8 The Maritime and Coastguard Agency retains the right to retract this General Exemption at any time.

  1. 4. Further Information

  2. 4.1 Further information relating to Workboat Code Edition 3 can be obtained from the links listed below:

    1. 4.1.1 Workboat Code Edition 3 can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-workboat-code-edition-3.

    2. 4.1.2 The Merchant Shipping (Small Workboats and Pilot Boats) Regulations 2023 can be accessed at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/1216/contents/made.

  3. 4.2 Further information relating to MGN 664 can be obtained from the link listed below:

    1. 4.2.1 MGN 664 (Amendment 1) Certification Process for Vessels using Innovative Technology https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mgn-664-mf- amendment-1-certification-process-for-vessels-using-innovative-technology

More Information

Code Vessel Team, UK Technical Services Ship Standards Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Bay 2/23 Spring Place
105 Commercial Road Southampton
SO15 1EG

Telephone: +44 (0)203 817 2000

Email: codes@mcga.gov.uk

Website: www.gov.uk/mca

Please note that all addresses and telephone numbers are correct at time of publishing.

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