New rules governing pleasure craft
A new code has come into effect which should make it simpler and cheaper to use recreational boats for temporary commercial purposes.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency launched the Intended Pleasure Vessels (IPV) code on 10 January 2019. It is divided into two parts – the first for temporary commercial use for business purposes at sea and the second for temporary commercial use as a race support boat at sea.
For race support, the code is intended for open boats such as RIBS and decked vessels under 8m/26ft 3in. Vessels can be used no more than ten times a year as a race support boat in UK coastal waters.
The IPV Code allows the UK marine business sector and owners to use a pleasure vessel at sea on a single-voyage basis for business purposes relating to sale, repair, post-repair or mid-survey sea trials, customer sea trials and for vessel delivery in connection with the business purpose. Previously, there was a costly requirement to apply the fully commercial vessel codes normally associated with these activities.
The code was developed in partnership with British Marine, the RYA, the Yacht Brokers, Designers and Surveyors Association (YBDSA), British Rowing and British Canoeing.