The Red Ensign Group Launches New Consolidated Yacht Code

The Red Ensign Group have today used the platform of The Superyacht Forum hosted by the Superyacht Group in Amsterdam to launch a new consolidated code of practice for the safety and operation of large commercial yachts over 24 metres in length designed to synchronise the Large Yacht Code (known as “LY3”) and the Passenger Yacht Code (known as “PYC”).

The new Red Ensign Group Yacht Code ('REG Code') will come into force on 1 January 2019, to provide time for the superyacht industry to become familiar with its contents.

The Red Ensign Group is the collective working party for the shipping registries comprising the British Register of Ships. This includes the United Kingdom, the Crown Dependencies (Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey) and eight UK Overseas Territories (including the British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands).

Any vessel registered in the UK, a Crown Dependency or UK Overseas Territory, is a “British ship” and is entitled to fly the Red Ensign flag. The Red Ensign is the most popular international flag flown by large yachts due to its high level of quality, prestige and universal acceptability. It is estimated that around 80% of the world’s large yacht fleet flies the British flag.

The REG Code further develops the well-established industry standards of the current codes and assimilate the lessons learned 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 (MCA) in 1997.

The REG Code has been divided into two parts (A & B) with a set of common annexes.

Part A is an updated version of the Large Yacht Code applicable to yachts which are 24 metres or over in load line length, in commercial use for sport or pleasure and don’t carry cargo or more than 12 passengers.

A copy of Part A of the code can be accessed through the following link:

Part A REG Red Ensign Group Yacht Code

Part B is an updated version of the Passenger Yacht Code 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 do not carry cargo.

A copy of Part B of the code can be accessed through the following link:

Part B REG Red Ensign Group Yacht Code

The annexes include sections for areas that are common to both Part A and Part B.

A copy of the annexes can be accessed through the following link:

Annexes REG Red Ensign Group Yacht Code

Oceanskies has always recommended the adoption of the applicable code of practice as the benchmark standard for the build and operation of any yacht regardless of its usage and we welcome this latest evolution that recognises not only the dominance of the British Register of Ships in the large yacht market but also the importance of the codes in establishing and maintaining this position.

As one of the world’s largest yacht registration and documentation agencies we welcome enquiries from owners considering options for their chosen flag state and port of registry for their vessel.

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