red ensign group yacht code part b

Red Ensign Group Yacht Code - Part B | Marine training course

Learn the construction and operational standards of reg b.

Red Ensign Group Yacht Code (REG Code) was implemented to replace two codes: Part A to Large Yacht Code 3 (LY3) & Part B to Passenger Yacht Code (PYC). 

REG B includes requirements to be met by passenger yachts carrying between 12 and 36 passengers on international voyages, with respect to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS 1974). 

Enroll in this course and learn the design criteria, construction standards and other safety measures for pleasure yachts to which this Code apply.

Our team remains available to provide you with any further information you may need. Contact us by writing to [email protected] .

Duration and price

Online course

Duration:  2 days

Price: EUR 600,00 (plus VAT, if applicable)

Physical classroom at Greece's facilities

Price:  EUR 650 (plus VAT, if applicable)

Course objectives

Content summary.

• Introduction to the RedEnsign Group
• Application to the code Part B
• Load Line Convention
• Construction requirements for yachts up to 36 passengers
• Stability requirements & damage stability
• Fire protection, detection and extinction
• Life saving appliances and means of escape
• Radiocommunication, safety of navigation
• Accommodation and recreational facilities requirements
• Requirements for sailing vessels
• Protection of personnel
• Manning, Certification and Hours of Work
• Surveys & Certification

Target audience

- Shore personnel of maritime companies managing yachts

- Crew of yachts

Certificate

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Large Yacht Codes of Practice and Standards

Red ensign group large yacht code.

Collaboration between members of the Red Ensign Group (REG), which includes the UK and the industry as a whole, has led to the creation of a new yacht code.

The REG Yacht Code, which was launched on 13 November 2017 at the Global Superyacht Forum in Amsterdam, has considered all the expertise gained across almost two decades of regulating the large yacht sector since the Code of Practice for the Safety of Large Commercial Sailing and Motor Vessels, or LY1, was published by us in 1997.

In its new format, the REG Yacht Code is made up of two parts with common annexes - such as for over-side working systems, sailing vessels and helicopter landing areas. It keeps the familiar format of the existing REG codes while being more dynamic to industry change and development.

The REG Yacht Code combines the existing Large Yacht Code 3 and the Passenger Yacht Code into a single document and came into force on 1 January 2019.

The REG Yacht Code is in two parts with common annexes .

• Part A relates to the Large Yacht Code
• Part B relates to the Passenger Yacht Code

Large Commercial Yacht Code (3) or “LY3”

LY3 was launched at the 2012 Monaco Yacht Show and came into effect on 20 August 2013. It introduced equivalent requirements for large yachts to the requirements of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).

It also included updates for the requirements for masts and rigging for sailing yachts and the latest technology in radio communication equipment. 

LY3 has been replaced by the Red Ensign Group yacht code which came into effect on 1 January 2019.

Large Commercial Yacht Code (2) or “LY2”

LY2 came into effect on 24th September 2004. Chartering is a commercial use of a vessel, and therefore all yachts engaged in chartering activities must comply with the Code. A significant change in LY2 was the introduction of the Short-Range Yacht. LY2 was replaced by LY3 in 2013.

The Passenger Yacht Code

This Code has now been replaced by the Red Ensign Group Yacht Code Part B . 

The Passenger Yacht Code (PYC) was applicable to pleasure yachts: 

• Of any size 
• In private or commercial use 
• Carrying 13 to 36 passengers 
• Not carrying cargo 

It represents an International Maritime Organization (IMO) accepted equivalence to the requirements of international conventions including SOLAS up to 36 passengers.

The purpose of the 13 to 36 Passenger Yacht Code (PYC) was to provide design criteria, construction standards and other safety measures for yachts carrying 13 to 36 passengers to minimise the risk to such ships, to the personnel on board and to the environment. The criteria were largely based on the Conventions and Instruments referred to in the Code. 

• Large Yacht (Part 1)
• New Registration
• Change Details
• Change of Ownership
• Codes of Practice and Standards
• Large Yacht Guidance
• Newbuild and Stability Service
• Provisional Registration

Red Ensign Group Publications

See Red Ensign Group publications and guidance on the REG website.

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Red Ensign Group yacht code

The code of safe practice for large commercial yachts.

MSF1100 REG Division of responsibilities

ODS , 17.5 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument format

The code came into force on 1 January 2019 and combines the large yacht code version 3 and the passenger yacht code .

• division of responsibilities

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Red Ensign Group Yacht Code

The Red Ensign Group (REG) has developed a new regulatory framework for yachts, titled ‘Red Ensign Group Yacht Code’. The code consolidates an updated version of the Large Yacht Code (LY3), and the latest version of the Passenger Yacht Code (PYC).

The Code’s aim is to further develop the well-established industry standards of LY3 & PYC, combining the lessons learned from the REG members from almost 20 years of regulating the large yacht sector since the first version of the Large Yacht Code was published by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in 1997.

Highlighted in the Code are the necessary steps required to adapt to the IMO’s new four yearly adoption and amendment cycle for its Conventions to which the Codes form equivalences (SOLAS, Load Line & STCW). This will make the REG Yacht Code more dynamic to industry change and development, whilst slowing the annual PYC editions to continue to meet the new international requirements for passenger ships.

The new Red Ensign Group Yacht Code is one of 2 parts with common annexes such as for over-side working systems & helicopter landing areas, enabling builders and designers to continue to recognise the familiar formats of the existing REG Codes. An updated version of LY3 in ‘Part A’ will continue to be applicable to yachts which are 24 metres and over in load line length, are in commercial use for sport or pleasure, do not carry cargo and do not carry more than 12 passengers. ‘Part B’ consist of the latest version of the PYC applicable to pleasure yachts of any size, in private use or engaged in trade, which carry more than 12 but not more than 36 passengers and which do not carry cargo.

The new Code makes larger use of industry best practice and international standards such as ISO, as well as following the IMO’s overarching remit for increased ‘Goal Based Standards’ as a form of regulations, allowing room for more flexibility and innovation in the design and construction of yachts.

The new REG Code came into force on 1st January 2019, to give the industry time to become familiar with it. The new Code also has what is known as a ‘retrospective application clause’. This means that there are sections within the Code that will be applied not just to new vessels, but to existing vessels also that are currently certificated under the existing Large Yacht Code or Passenger Yacht Code, from the first annual survey after 1st January 2019.

Since the entry into force of the REG Code, there have been two updates in the form of corrigenda.  These corrigenda were drafted following receipt of extensive industry feedback and a consultation process involving designers, shipyards, management companies and classification societies. The latest of these is Corrigenda No. 2, which was released on 31 st December 2020 and will enter into force (keel laid on or after) 1 st June 2021.

How Does It Affect You And Your Yacht?

We have created a handy guide to help take you through the application of the new Red Ensign Group Yacht Code, and how it affects you.  Download it here and learn how to get your yacht ready for the new changes coming into force in January 2019.

REG-YC January 2019 Edition – Part A  (2 MB PDF)

REG-YC January 2019 Edition – Part B  (3 MB PDF)

REG-YC January 2019 Edition – Common Annexes  (1 MB PDF)

REG-YC January 2019 Edition – Corrigenda No.1 (521 KB PDF)

REG-YC December 2020 Edition – Corrigenda No.2 (455 KB PDF)

REG Safe Return To Port 2019 Edition (1,400 KB PDF)

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The REG Yacht Code – Bringing Regulations Up-to-Date

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Red Ensign Group to create new consolidated yacht code

A new consolidated code for regulating the construction and operation of superyachts will be introduced by the Red Ensign Group next year, it has been announced. Known as the Red Ensign Group Yacht Code, the new framework aims to consolidate and build upon the outgoing LY3 and PYC codes.

In a statement, the Red Ensign Group said: “This code further develops the well-established industry standards of LY3 and PYC, combining the lessons learned from almost 20 years of regulating the large yacht sector.”

Updated to meet the latest SOLAS requirements, the new code uses industry equivalences to reduce the administrative burden on shipyards. Due to be introduced at the 2017 Monaco Yacht Show , the new code will be split into two parts.

As before, Part A will apply to yachts which are 24 metres and over in load line length, are in commercial use for sport or pleasure, do not carry cargo and do not carry more than 12 passengers.

Part B will consist of the latest version of the PYC applicable to pleasure yachts of any size, in private use or engaged in trade, which carry more than 12 but not more than 36 passengers and which do not carry cargo.

Common annexes will cover the regulation of superyacht helicopter decks , ensuring continuity with the previous codes, while the restrictions regarding gross tonnage will remain unchanged.

The Red Ensign Group added that the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry will take the lead in developing the new code, and a series of industry working groups will be set up to ensure that the code is practicable and internationally recognised.

Comprised of the UK and several British overseas territories, the Red Ensign Group regulates roughly 80% of the world’s large yachts, including the 162 metre Eclipse and the 156 metre Dilba r .

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Red Ensign Group Yacht Code revision published

A new revision of the gold standard Red Ensign Group Yacht Code, set to come into force in July 2024, has been published, which intends to provide guidance on the best practice to facilitate safe solutions for commercially operated yachts over 24 metres (78 feet) in load-line length.

The new revision represents all the expertise gained across almost three decades of regulating the large yacht sector since the first version was published by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in 1997.

A spokesperson for Red Ensign Group said, “The Red Ensign Group Yacht Code is the international standard for the design, construction, and operation of these vessels. We will never compromise on safety and crew welfare and maintain the highest maritime regulatory standards. However, we do recognise that it’s important to support innovation and technological developments in a rapidly changing industry.”

This is the first significant revision since 2019 and has been developed over a period of two years in close consultation with the REG Yacht Code Industry Working Group, which consists of a wide-ranging number of stakeholders including shipyards, designers, management companies, and regulatory authorities.

Substantive changes have been made to reflect the relevant regulatory amendments that have been published in recent years by the IMO and to accommodate current trends and innovation in yacht design.

The new revision of the Red Ensign Group Yacht Code includes guidance on battery systems, over-side working systems, emergency training, installation of fire appliances, petrol storage, and more.

Significant amendments to the existing text have also been made to provide additional clarification to those areas of the Code which have previously been open to interpretation, to ensure its consistent application and to set a level playing field for the industry.

Although the Code will not come into force until July 2024 to give the industry time to become familiar with it and comply, it has already been published.

Download the code: Red Ensign Group Yacht Code

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Understanding the REG Code

Capt. Ted Morley was raised aboard a schooner and has made a career working on board vessels ranging from superyachts to super tankers. During his tenure at sea, he worked his way up from seaman to master. He currently holds a USCG Master’s License, Unlimited Tonnage as well as several foreign certificates. Capt. Morley actively participates in maritime advisory committees in the U.S. as well as overseas and is involved in regulatory policy review in the U.S.. 

For years, captains, crew, and managers of large yachts have had to deal with a bevy of codes and standards. While the IMO STCW Code remains the international standard for training and certification, last year we saw a change in the requirements that the Red Ensign yachts must comply with. The MCA had initially established the Large Yacht Code 3 (LY3) and the Passenger Yacht Code (PYC), dependent upon the tonnage and the number of passengers the yacht carried. 

In 2019, the Red Ensign Group Yacht Code (REG Code) was implemented as a replacement to these two codes. The goal was to standardize and simplify existing yacht codes across the Red Ensign registries. This code was introduced in 2017 to provide time for vessel operators to learn more about it prior to implementation, but there are still many questions. 

While the REG Code does not change the STCW Code, it does discuss emergency training and drills along with equipment and kit that must be carried aboard applicable yachts in both the over and under 500 GT categories. 

The code is split: Part A for large yachts carrying up to 12 passengers and Part B for passenger yachts carrying up to 36 passengers (this count doesn’t include seafarers or occasional workers on board). There are also Common Annexes that pertain to the classifications. If a yacht is engaged in trade that includes cargo, it must then comply with a different set of rules that govern commercial cargo vessels. 

While the REG Code does not change the STCW Code, it does discuss emergency training and drills along with equipment and kit that must be carried aboard applicable yachts in both the over and under 500 GT categories. This means that the code is designed specifically for yachts and is not intended for commercial cruise or ferry vessels as outlined in the STCW Code and SOLAS Convention. This simplifies many of the large yacht construction and operational requirements but still refers to the applicable STCW Code and flag state requirements for crew manning, training, and certification. SOLAS is also referenced in the various code sections and remains the international compliance standard.

Whereas the new REG Code simplifies and clarifies the previous codes, the crew still must comply with the STCW and flag state requirements. Captains and managers are advised to research the REG Codes and perhaps engage an industry expert to guide them through the implementation of the new code aboard. All applicable Red Ensign yachts must comply with the new code as of their first compliance survey after January 1, 2019. Many yachts have adopted a program in which they work to phase in their compliance. Yachts with their keels laid after January 1, 2019, must comply with the requirements that include structural changes to ensure full compliance. 

A year into implementation and there are still yachts that don’t fully understand the new regulations. You can download Part A and Part B and the Common Annexes to familiarize yourself with the relevant sections.   

The column originally ran in the April 2020 issue of Dockwalk.

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Update to the Red Ensign group Yacht Code

• January 16, 2024

A recent update to the esteemed Red Ensign Group Yacht Code has been released, aiming to offer guidance on optimal practices for ensuring safe operations of commercially run yachts exceeding 24 meters (78 feet) in load-line length.

This fresh revision embodies the accumulated expertise acquired over nearly three decades of overseeing the large yacht sector, tracing back to the inaugural version introduced by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in 1997. A spokesperson from the Red Ensign Group emphasized, “The REG Yacht Code stands as the global benchmark for the design, construction, and functioning of these vessels. We are unwavering in our commitment to safety and crew well-being, upholding the highest maritime regulatory standards. Nevertheless, we acknowledge the importance of supporting innovation and technological advancements in this swiftly evolving industry.”

This marks the first notable revision since 2019 and has undergone a two-year development period, closely collaborating with the REG Yacht Code Industry Working Group. The working group comprises a diverse array of stakeholders, including shipyards, designers, management firms, and regulatory bodies. Substantial adjustments have been implemented to align with pertinent regulatory modifications published by the IMO in recent years and to accommodate contemporary trends and advancements in yacht design.

The updated Red Ensign Group Yacht Code incorporates guidance on various aspects, such as battery systems, over-side working systems, emergency training, installation of fire appliances, petrol storage, and more. Noteworthy amendments to the existing content aim to offer additional clarity to sections of the Code susceptible to varied interpretations, ensuring uniform application and establishing an equitable playing field for the industry.

Despite the publication of the Code, its enforcement is slated for July 2024, affording the industry ample time to acquaint itself with the changes and adhere to the updated guidelines. For further details, please visit the Red Ensign Group website .

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25 August 2021

How we help you navigate the REG Yacht Code

In the last two decades, the introduction of various regulations has reshaped the yachting industry and improved safety standards.

Depending on how many guests are to be carried, owners must now ensure they adhere to ISM compliance , ISPS, LY3, MLC, the Passenger Yacht Code (PYC) and the REG Yacht Code.

What is the Passenger Yacht Code?

In 2017, the Passenger Yacht Code was replaced by the Red Ensign Group Yacht Code Part B regulations.

Prior to this, the PYC was a safety standard that applied to all private and commercial pleasure yachts of any size that wished to carry 13 to 36 passengers, without cargo.

The Passenger Yacht Code was developed to address the practical difficulties of applying international Convention standards to yachts and super yachts when they were originally designed for merchant ships, particularly the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention and the Load Line Convention.

The aim of the PYC was to minimise the risk to vessels, on-board personnel and the environment by introducing stringent design criteria, construction standards and other safety standards.

What is the Red Ensign Group (REG) Yacht Code?

In 2017, the Passenger Yacht Code was replaced by the Red Ensign Group (REG) Yacht Code Part B – a natural progression and improvement on the Large Yacht Code (LYC).

The LYC had previously tried to sets minimum standards for commercial yachts measuring over 24m, weighing less than 3000gt that were permitted to carry a maximum of 12 passengers.

The Red Ensign Group (REG) code Part A also superseded by the Large Yacht Code at the same time.

Why was the REG Yacht Code introduced?

Designing an aesthetically-pleasing luxury yacht that could carry 36 guests whilst adhering to all the requirements of the Passenger Yacht Code, proved to be far from easy.

In truth, this was due to the stringent SOLAS requirements which were intended for ships. Red Ensign Group developed the new Part A and Part B code so that technical, safety and operational standards could be maintained but were easier to accommodate within the design of a private vessel.

How are captains and owners affected?

Every experienced captain will have had to explain the 12-guest limit at some point, particularly on charters. This can often become a source of contention for all the parties involved.

While some guests understand the regulations better than others, it’s not unusual for people to plead for a slight ‘bending’ of the rules. Asking for small children to be discounted from the 12-guest limit is probably the most common, closely followed by requests for ‘few extra friends’ to sleep on the sofas.

To remain compliant with the Part A and B of the REG Yacht Code, it is essential that all of the rules are adhered to at ALL times.

Whilst there are several differences between Part A (12 guests maximum) and Part B (36 guests maximum), for larger vessels the measures primarily focus on steps that will help keep the additional guests safe.

Some of the safety measures that must be adopted include:

• Taking steps to reduce the spread of fire
• Increased usage of fire-retardant materials
• Better emergency floatation – watertight compartments
• Improving escape routes – more fixed ladders
• Segmented engine room

Helping you sail through Yacht Code compliance

Whether you own a luxury yacht or Superyacht, we can provide all of the ISPS and ISM compliance a vessel needs.

Depending on your other yacht management requirements, we offer this as a standalone service or as part of our full management package.

To take the stress and hassle out of cruising, you’ll be provided with a Flag State approved Safety Management System (SMS) so you’re compliant at all times.

For further reassurance, you’ll also be assigned with a Dedicated Person Ashore (DPA) to conduct annual on-board compliance audits and act as a main port of call. If new safety or security legislation is issued, we’ll take care of it.

For a friendly and informal discussion about any of these issues, please get in touch – we’ll be happy to help.

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By SuperyachtNews 26 Mar 2018

The operational implications for passenger yachts

A look at the emerging problems associated with manning superyachts able to carry more than 12 passengers….

In November 2010, in recognition of the ever-increasing size of superyachts and the wish to carry more passengers, the Passenger Yacht Code (PYC) was introduced by the Red Ensign Group as an alternative to full compliance with SOLAS 1974 and Load Line 1966 Conventions for private and commercial yachts wanting to carry up to 36 passengers. The Code covers technical, safety and operational standards for yachts and has rules that are more relevant to the nature of yachting – avoiding some of the more onerous aspects of SOLAS without compromising safety through the use of substantial equivalences and improved survivability. The Red Ensign Group (REG) recently released the Red Ensign Group Yacht Code, which merges the most recent PYC development (Part B) and the Large Yacht Code (Part A), updated and with shared annexes. 

The introduction of the PYC was a significant step forward for the superyacht industry. Since its implementation, the Code has been a valuable vehicle for commercial and private yachts that want to be able to carry more than 12 passengers, and there are a number of yachts now operating successfully under the PYC. However, the Code does impose some complicated restrictions for the manning of a PYC-compliant vessel and there have been alleged difficulties for these yachts with regards to meeting the increased manning requirements while, at the same time, providing the high level of safety and service expected across all departments by the owner.

This is not solely because the Code requires officers on commercial yachts to have full STCW commercial (unlimited) Certificates of Competency, but also because the Minimum Safe Manning Document (MSMD) requires more deck officers, engineering officers and deck and engineering ratings than an equivalent Large Yacht Code (LY3)- compliant yacht and this, as explained below, can have a knock-on effect on the hotel complement. M/Y Equanimity , for example, was the first PYC-compliant yacht to be built, but  relieved itself of its compliance just weeks after delivery. While the reason for this has never been explicitly stated, many believe it came down to issues with meeting the crewing requirements.

Does service suffer?

Compliance under the PYC impacts a yacht’s Minimum Safe Manning Document (MSMD). When a vessel is registered under the PYC, the number of crew required by the MSMD is significantly higher than when the same vessel is registered under the LY3. To give a comparison, Wright Maritime Group presents an example of a 92m motoryacht under its management that has a gross tonnage of 2,998 and has been registered at different times under each code.

Under the PYC, the MSMD for the yacht required a minimum crew of 15, of which there needed to be seven for navigation, seven engineers and one crew cook. Under LY3, the MSMD for the same yacht requires a minimum of eight crew, of which there are five for navigation, two engineers and one crew cook. Bearing in mind that the typical on-duty crew number for a 92m motoryacht is between 30 and 36, the minimum safe manning for the PYC registration takes up a significant percentage of the overall crew count.

"What cannot be solved without affecting an owner’s useable space or technical and storage space is the accommodation of PYC MSMD MLC officers..."

“It can be reasonably argued that the main safety difference between 36-passenger yachts and 12-passenger yachts of the same size and equipment is not in the engineering and navigation teams but in the hotel team,” explains Captain A. J. Anderson, CEO and managing director at Wright Maritime Group. “While the employment cost difference is significant, that can be written off as a cost of business. What cannot be solved without affecting an owner’s useable space or technical and storage space is the accommodation of PYC MSMD MLC officers, especially impacting yachts under approximately 120m or under approximately 3,000gt.”

Compared to a LY3-compliant yacht, therefore, a PYC-compliant vessel has the potential to carry more guests, has a greater volume of interior space, more technical demands, increased deck and exterior spaces to maintain, extra tenders and toys and guest services, higher hotel service demands and more regulated operational requirements. Yet many of these yachts are built to accommodate the same number of crew as an LY3 yacht of a similar size.

“I think the biggest challenge with the manning of PYC yachts, although it is improving, is the understanding that the Minimum Safe Manning Document is different, with a greater number required for the technical and deck side, which impacts on the hotel department,” agrees Captain Malcolm Jacotine, who has run some prolific yachts under the PYC. “Typically, it would be assumed that a 90m LY3 and PYC yacht would have the same crew numbers, only to discover that they end up short on interior crew because of the MSMD skewing the ratio and the greater number of cabins and guests to take care of.”

Crew availability

On a PYC-compliant yacht, the master, officers and ratings should have STCW qualifications at the appropriate level, with an exception that for yachts less than 3,000gt, yacht qualifications can be considered for junior deck and engineering watch-keeping officers subject to Flag approval and any limitations that may be imposed. So with the stringent requirements for crew with commercial unlimited tickets under the Code, are there enough qualified and skilled captains and crew available to run these yachts? And if these vessels are to rely on commercial crew to make the transition into yachting to meet the demand, what incentive is there for them to do so given that rotation packages are more common and generous in the commercial sector?

“The requirements for those on the Minimum Safe Manning Document to have full STCW qualifications will somewhat limit the number of available crew to those who have commercial Certificates of Competency,” explains Captain Jacotine. “Fortunately, there is now a good number of experienced and commercially qualified officers in the yachting industry and this number is on the increase due to those migrating to the industry or yachting professionals who have upgraded their qualifications.”

“Owners often have preferred captains that are in possession of yacht licences..."

Similarly, in Wright Maritime Group’s experience, there is adequate availability of unlimited licensed deck and engineering crew, and the company is making a concerted effort to improve the situation for the future. “Unlimited licensed candidates are available, with new candidates registering with crew agencies in sufficient numbers,” says Nichola Stewart, Wright Maritime’s ISM quality assurance manager. “Wright Maritime Group also works with a number of maritime training organisations where graduates with unlimited tickets but a limited level of yachting experience can be sourced.”

However, there is the question of the availability of preferred crew. “Owners often have preferred captains that are in possession of yacht licences,” adds Captain Anderson. “However, this issue will improve now there are paths for yacht deck officers to convert to merchant and unlimited licences, including the Marshall Island’s Capstone Course , which will be accepted by Cayman Islands and possibly other REG Flags in the future.”

Overall, Wright Maritime Group’s view on the PYC compared with LY3 is hesitant. “Based on the above realities, that may be managed with owner concurrence, but additionally based on the number of additional vessel design, construction and operational requirements of the PYC (REG YC Part B) over LY3 (REG YC Part A), Wright Maritime is not currently recommending the PYC/REG Part B unless the owner is intending to charter the yacht with more than 12 passengers or would like to have the PYC option for resale,” concludes Captain Anderson.

It appears that the biggest issue for yachts being built under the PYC is to ensure there is sufficient crew accommodation so that the service side of the yacht is not compromised due to more stringent safety requirements. While additional crew space can be considered as valuable lost guest areas, the owners’ or guests’ experience must not be compromised due to a lack of deck and interior crew. Because safety is paramount and the minimum safe manning is crucial to that, the quality of the on-board experience comes in second, therefore a balanced and proper manning of these yachts should be considered as one of the many consequential realities of owning and operating a vessel with the capability to carry up to 36 guests.

A full look at the operational challenges of PYC-compliant yachts appears in issue 184 of The Superyacht Report , out now. 

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In July 2024, Red Ensign Group’s Updated Yacht Code Takes Effect

The Red Ensign Group (REG), a group of British Shipping Registers, has unveiled an updated version of its flagship Yacht Code, a comprehensive framework setting safety and design standards in the yachting industry. This major revision, the first since 2019, draws on nearly three decades of regulatory experience since the initial 1997 publication.

It will not come into force until July 2024. Read on for more.

What The Update Entails

Developed over two years with input from the REG Yacht Code Industry Working Group, the update incorporates substantial changes to align with recent International Maritime Organisation (IMO) amendments and accommodate evolving trends in yacht design. To ensure consistent application and fairness, the revision clarifies areas previously open to interpretation. Though the updated document is available, it won’t take full effect until July 2024, allowing the industry time to adapt.

Commitment To Safety & Innovation

A Red Ensign Group spokesperson emphasised the Code’s dual focus on safety and innovation, stating:

“We will never compromise on safety and crew welfare and maintain the highest maritime regulatory  standards. However, we do recognise that it’s important to support innovation and technological developments in a rapidly changing industry.”

This commitment to both safety and innovation underscores REG’s dedication to a thriving and responsible superyacht sector, prioritising seafarers’ well-being and upholding the highest maritime safety standards. The updated Yacht Code stands as a testament to REG’s commitment to ensuring the ongoing success of the global yachting industry.

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Red Ensign Group releases updated Yacht Code for 2024

11 January 2024

The Red Ensign Group (REG) has released an updated version of its flagship Yacht Code, a comprehensive framework that establishes the benchmark for safety and design standards in the yachting industry. The new revision, representing the collective expertise gained across nearly three decades of regulatory experience since its initial publication in 1997, marks the first major update since 2019.

Developed over a two-year period in close consultation with the REG Yacht Code Industry Working Group, a broad-based forum encompassing shipyards, designers, management companies, and regulatory authorities, the revised Code incorporates substantial changes to reflect recent amendments issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and accommodate current trends and innovation in yacht design.

To ensure consistent application and a level playing field across the industry, the revision provides further clarification to areas of the Code that were previously open to interpretation. While the updated document is now available, it will not come into full force until July 2024, allowing the industry ample time to familiarise itself with the new guidelines and make any necessary adjustments.

A spokesperson for the Red Ensign Group emphasised the Code's dual focus on safety and innovation:

"The REG Yacht Code is the international standard for the design, construction, and operation of these vessels. We will never compromise on safety and crew welfare and maintain the highest maritime regulatory standards. However, we do recognise that it's important to support innovation and technological developments in a rapidly changing industry."

This commitment to both safety and innovation reflects the REG's dedication to fostering a thriving and responsible superyacht sector that prioritises the well-being of seafarers and upholds the highest standards of maritime safety. The updated Yacht Code serves as a testament to the REG's commitment to ensuring the continued success of the global yachting industry.

To stay updated with the latest industry developments, be sure to sign up to our newsletter . You can also join the PYA as a member and access numerous services including our MCA and Transport Malta approved Sea Service Verification .

Statement from the Professional Yachting Association (PYA) regarding the tragic sinking of Bayesian

Antibes (France), 26 August 2024 - In light of the recent tragic sinking of the yacht Bayesian and loss of lives, we understand that many are deeply concerned and eager to know the details surrounding this unfortunate event. However, we urge everyone—media, the public, and all interested parties—to refrain from speculating on the causes, responsibilities, or circumstances until the official inquiry is concluded.

PYA Agents Network around the world

As the season begins and you embark on your global travels, we want to ensure that our PYA members have access to essential services. To facilitate this, we have enlisted a network of PYA Agents located around the world. These agents specialize in certifying original documents, helping you maintain accurate profiles and supporting your MCA applications.

A surge in unqualified crew with fake or purchased CoCs

The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) and the Italian Yacht Masters Association (IYM) sound the alarm on a hidden danger: a surge in unqualified crew with fake or purchased Certificates of Competence, which raises potential safety issues for crew, passengers, and vessels.