Rules for the Charter of Yachts Between 12 and 24 Metres under the Malta Flag

The purpose of this guide is to provide information concerning the flag state rules applicable to Malta registered yachts that are over 12 metres in hull length (according to ISO 8666)  and under 24 metres in load line length that are operated for charter.

Any yacht undertaking a charter at sea regardless of its flag is considered to be a vessel that is in use for a commercial purpose and should therefore hold a valid Load Line Certificate and be operated in accordance with the international regulations applicable to a vessel of its physical characteristics and distance of operation from a safe haven.

As an alternative to Load Line certification and compliance with applicable international regulations which would be unachievable for many small vessels, Transport Malta have developed a code or practice specifically for vessels over 12 metres in hull length (according to ISO 8666)  and under 24 metres in load line length which are engaged at sea in the performance of activities of a commercial nature which includes yachts carrying not more than 12 passengers (i.e. excluding crew).

Transport Malta are the authority of the Malta government holding responsibility and accountability for land, sea and air transport in Malta including the development and oversight of Maltese merchant shipping regulations and their enforcement.

The code is known as the Small Commercial Yacht Code (sCYC) 2024.

A copy of the code can be accessed at the following link:

Small Commercial Yacht Code (sCYC) 2024

The sCYC became effective from the 1st April, 2024 and replaced the previously applicable requirements for commercial yachts under 24 metres in length that were contained within the Malta Commercial Yacht Code that previously had been applicable to yachts of all sizes. 

It should be remembered that the coding of a yacht used for charter is only one stage of the process and that advice should always be taken in respect of local legal and fiscal obligations prior to the commencement of any commercial activity.

Oceanskies is able to provide a complete yacht charter registration package combing commercial Malta flag yacht registration with coding certification through our Malta office combined with the employment of crew in a Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) environment taking care of all applicable Malta social security obligations for both the employer and the employee through our Guernsey office.