Tailor-made code applicable to commercial yachts <24m from 1st April 2024
The Merchant Shipping Directorate within Transport Malta issued a tailor-made code for small commercial yachts registered under the Malta flag.
In a Commercial Yachting Notice issued on the 20th of March, acknowledging the importance of this segment, the Directorate announced the new set of more focused regulations in response to internal and external feedback from industry stakeholders.
Officially named the Small Commercial Yacht Code (sCYC), the main aim for these regulations is to spur the growth in this sector, serve the needs of the yachting industry and “optimise the regulatory regime to the particular needs, demands and technologies of this market, in conformity with safety and international regulations and standards.”[1]
The sCYC will be applicable for all small commercial yachts under 24 metres in length as from 1st April 2024 and replaces the requirements of the same yachts applicable under the Commercial Yacht Code (CYC) 2020.
Existing small commercial yachts that are already certified in terms of CYC 2020 are deemed to be compliant with sCYC. However, they shall be surveyed and certified in conformity with the new sCYC by not later than that yacht’s first renewal survey carried out after 1st June 2024.
The sCYC does not apply to:
- Pleasure/private craft and yachts not employed in commercial use
- Vessels carrying more than 12 passengers
- Commercial yachts <12m hull length
- Commercial yachts >24m (the CYC 2020 shall remain applicable to these craft)
- Yachts under Design Category D and Rigid Inflatable Boars (RIBs) Design Category C or D
- Vessels owned or operated on non-commercial services[2]
The Code sets the required standards for safety, pollution prevention and crew welfare which are more appropriate to the size and regular navigation of the yacht and in line with International Conventions, EU Regulations and Directives and Industry Standards.
The sCYC 2024 can be accessed here.
[1] Commercial Yachting Notice 12 – Merchant Shipping Directorate, Transport Malta, 20/03/2024
[2] Small Commercial Yacht Code (sCYC) 2024 – pp.5
