General Guidance
This Guidance Document is intended for use with the 2000 HSC Code and is parallel to the guidance notes relating to the 1994 HSC Code.

The HSC Code 2000 refers to the International Code of Safety for High Speed Craft 2000, adopted by MSC.97(73) and amended by MSC.119(74).

The HSC Code 1994 refers to the International Code of Safety for High Speed Craft 1994, adopted by MSC.36(63) and amended by MSC.119(74) and MSC/Circ.1057.

The DSC Code refers to the Code of Safety for Dynamically Supported Craft  implemented by Res. A.373(X) and amended by MSC.37(63) (up to MSC.69(69) amendments to SOLAS) and MSC/Circ.1057.

Procedures
In all cases, owners and operators should contact the Agency at the earliest possible stage. To make a preliminary assessment of a craft, and in line with the provisions of the 2000 HSC Code, the Agency will require

• general arrangement drawings
• guidelines for design and construction
• technical specifications; and,
• equipment details.

Early contact will enable the Agency to evaluate a design quickly and determine what additional or alternative requirements may be appropriate to underpin safety. The Agency’s Director of Operations will act as the first point of contact. The Director will inform the relevant Marine Office and the appropriate Regional Surveyor-in-Charge, who will nominate a Lead Surveyor as the link between the MCA and the operator. All communications with the MCA should then be channelled through the Lead Surveyor, who will have direct responsibility for design approval and assessment of manuals and surveys in accordance with the standards set out in the Agency’s Code of Practice. On receiving details of the craft, together with the proposed operational limits, the Lead Surveyor will arrange an early meeting to establish:-

• the plans required
• the extent to which the 2000 HSC Code will be applied; and,
• the estimated total fee, based on the Agency’s charges as set out in the latest Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations.

The Agency will provide a fees estimate against a detailed craft specification, together with an outline build and trials programme. Alternatively, the MCA can provide a fee estimate for the plan approval stage and a separate fee estimate later for the construction surveys and trials. Treasury rules require the MCA to request (a deposit of) fees before any work commences.

To avoid delay or alterations to the craft, information should be submitted to the Agency at an early stage of planning and design, and the craft should be made available to the Agency in sufficient time to enable a detailed survey to be carried out.

New UK Registered Craft
A craft intended for use on international voyages must comply fully with the 2000 HSC Code, as well as any other international requirements. In addition, the Agency will need to be satisfied that the craft will adequately withstand environmental conditions throughout its intended operating envelope. All equipment must be to the satisfaction of the Lead Surveyor, who will, where appropriate, apply IMO, ISO or IEC standards. Where required by legislation, particular items of equipment must be type approved.

Most craft intended for use on domestic voyages, will also be expected to comply with the 2000 HSC Code, under the provisions of EU Directive 98/18/EC. The Agency will determine the extent to which the Code should be applied on a craft-by-craft basis.

The MCA will issue an HSC Safety Certificate to craft on international voyages, and a UK HSC Safety Certificate for craft on domestic voyages. Certificates will be valid for 5 years, subject to satisfactory annual surveys. MCA surveyors will undertake renewal surveys and the re-issue or endorsement of certificates on a full cost recovery fees basis.

The MCA will also issue a Permit to Operate (POHSC) for each craft, valid for a maximum of 12 months, subject to the parallel validity of the HSC Safety Certificate. A new Permit will be necessary to take account of any alterations to the craft or changes to its operation and also on expiry of the existing Permit to Operate.

New Non-UK Registered Craft
As the Port State administration, the Agency should be fully consulted on design, construction, and operational conditions. The procedure will be the same as with UK flag craft, although the relevant Flag State will also be involved. All equivalent or alternative safety arrangements agreed or accepted by the Flag State or Classification Societies must also be presented by the operator to the MCA for approval.

Craft must comply with the International Conventions and the 2000 HSC Code. In addition, the Agency will need to be satisfied that the craft is suitable for its intended service.

The MCA may also be asked to act on behalf of another Administration and undertake surveys and issue certificates for a craft operating in UK waters. In these cases, the Lead Surveyor will treat the craft as if it was registered in the UK.

The Risk assessment of the passenger plan (and associated training) applies to these vessels. See 18.1.3, 18.3.2 and Appendix D.

Existing Craft Joining the UK Register
In general, existing craft coming onto the UK register will be required to satisfy the requirements of the 2000 HSC Code, the 1994 HSC Code or the Dynamically Supported Craft (DSC) Code as applicable at the date of its original construction. Where a craft has been the subject of repairs, alterations or modifications of a “major character”, the provisions of the amended Chapter X of SOLAS should be applied. The following repairs, alterations and modifications should be recognized as being of a “major character”:

1. any change that substantially alters the dimensions of a high-speed craft
   Example: Lengthening by adding new mid-body of a DSC Code Vessels done after 1 July 2002; new mid-body should comply with 2000 HSC Code;
2. any change that substantially alters the passenger accommodation
   Example: Vehicle deck of a 1994 HSC Code Vessel done after 1 July 2002converted to passenger accommodation; new accommodation should comply with the 2000 HSC Code; and
3. any change that substantially increases the service life of a high-speed craft
   Example: Renewal of passenger accommodation on one entire deck of a DSC Code Vessel done between I January 1996 and end June 2002 ; renewed accommodation should comply with the 1994 HSC Code.

In addition to the above procedure, operators of existing craft coming onto the UK register must supply the Agency with copies of all relevant survey and test reports of the equipment required by the Dynamically Supported Craft (DSC) or 1994 or 2000 HSC Codes. This will allow the Agency to make an initial assessment of safety standards.

When the craft and its equipment cannot fully comply with the 2000 HSC Code, it must comply with the SOLAS Convention with exemptions in line with the DSC Code. The Agency must be satisfied that the craft is suitable for its intended service. The craft must undergo an initial survey by an MCA surveyor to assess the level of compliance with the appropriate international requirements.

If the craft is an existing DSC Code Vessel and new to a UK operation and only operating on a domestic service then reference should be made to the Community Directive 98/18/EC as amended (2002/25/EC) “Safety requirements for new and existing passenger ships engaged on domestic voyages”

Existing UK Registered Craft
Existing craft built to the requirements of the DSC Code have been certificated under the Class II and IV Passenger Certification arrangements. This practice has now ceased. Those craft and hovercraft are issued instead with a DSC Safety Certificate, a Record of Equipment and a Permit to Operate.

Exemptions, Alternatives and Equivalents
All craft constructed between 1 January 1994 and 1 July 2002 must comply with the provisions of the 1994 HSC Code. All craft constructed on or after 1 July 2002 must comply with the provisions of the 2000 HSC Code (Chapter X of SOLAS, as amended). The Codes must be applied in their entirety and no exemptions are allowed, except for Radio communications (Chapter 14, para 14.3). However, the MCA will consider alternative provisions and equipment which offer a demonstrated equivalent level of safety, as required by the HSC Codes (Chapter 1, para 1.11). All agreed alternatives and equivalents for craft engaged on international voyages will be reported to IMO.

Where a craft constructed before 1 January 1996 complies with the DSC Code, which demonstrates an ability to operate at an acceptable level of safety when engaged on restricted voyages, under restricted operational weather conditions, and with approved maintenance and supervision, the MCA will grant the necessary exemptions from SOLAS.

Hovercraft.
Where the special characteristics of hovercraft (ACVs) cause difficulty with demonstrating full compliance with the 2000 HSC Code, the MCA will give consideration to the application of specific aspects of the British Hovercraft Safety Requirements as offering an equivalent level of safety.

As per the Hovercraft Act (S.I. 1972 No. 674, as amended) any hovercraft engaged in commercial activities and hovercraft over 1000kg or those used for reward should be registered and have a safety certificate and a permit to operate. The MCA have not delegated any hovercraft work.

The MCA do not deal with small two seater private hovercraft, nor home-made hovercraft.

Safety certificate – A hovercraft registered in the UK must not be used unless a Safety Certificate is in force. A Safety Certificate will be issued after completion of an initial or renewal survey to hovercraft which comply with the provisions of the 1994 or 2000 HSC Code (built after January 1996, as appropriate) or DSC Code before that date, (the British Hovercraft Safety Requirements BHSR, are considered as equivalent). All equipment must be to the satisfaction of the Lead Surveyor, who will, where appropriate, apply IMO, IS or IEC Standards.

Permit to Operate – A hovercraft registered in the UK must not operate commercially unless a Permit to Operate, setting out the safety limitations and conditions imposed on its operation, is issued and is valid in addition to the Safety Certificate. A Permit will be issued by the Lead Surveyor and will be valid for a period not exceeding 12 months.

Before a Permit can be issued, the following documents shall be submitted by owners or operators to the Lead Surveyor

• a statement from the relevant Harbour Authorities and/or borough Council to confirm that the local authorities have agreed with the arrangements made by the operators (e.g. noise pollution, air pollution, respect for other beach and water users, etc.)
• a statement from the local rescue co-ordination centre (MRCC/SC) of HM Coastguard that they are satisfied with the arrangements scenarios in place to deal with reasonable, foreseeable emergencies, and Search and Rescue scenarios.
• The risk assessment of the passage plan applies to high speed craft and noise should be considered.

Delegation

Hull and machinery surveys are effectively authorized to Class in the same way as other passenger ships. Where this work has been carried out by Class a partial declaration should be documented. Refer to the Instructions to Surveyors Survey and Certification Policy. Generally, all plan approval, operational procedures, exemptions and equivalencies will be dealt with directly by the MCA.

The Agency will issue relevant certificates and carry out surveys directly related to SOLAS requirements, although there could be some limited appointments on a case-by-case basis of other Certifying Authorities to conduct certain survey work. The extent of the Classification Societies’ involvement should be discussed at the initial assessment. Once plans are approved, then further builds to the same design will not require additional plan approval – the sister ship principle will apply.

Important Note
Please note that an HSC should only operate within an envelope that delivers a suitable safety margin at all times. Within this safety culture, if a craft encounters more adverse weather than that forecast, it can complete its voyage at a reduced speed while staying within the critical design conditions. The same would not be true for a craft departing with a compressed safety margin (window of opportunity) which contradicts the underlying principle of the HSC Code. The whole HSC Code philosophy is based on operational limitations management and reduction of risk – that is what distinguishes them from conventional ships. Allowing HSC to put to sea in all weather conditions without a reasonable safety margin would undermine that fundamental philosophy.

Documentation
The 2000 HSC Code calls on Administrations to ensure that craft are provided with adequate information and guidance in the form of technical manuals to enable safe operation and maintenance. The Agency achieves this through an assessment of the available information and guidance, and through the application of the International Safety Management (ISM) or Domestic Safety Management Codes.

The following list shows the documents required by a craft although some of these documents may not be needed for craft on domestic voyages by virtue of exemptions:

DOCUMENTS

Certificate of Registry
Safety Certificate
Permit to Operate
Tonnage Certificate
Tonnage Exemption Certificate
Load Line Certificate
Load Line Exemption Certificate &
SOPEP
Safety Management Certificate
SMC Document of Compliance
Document of Compliance 2, Stockholm
Agreement , if applicable #
Radio Certificate

Minimum Safe Manning Certificate / Muster List
Intact and Damaged Stability Booklet
Craft Operating Manual (see Chapter 18)
Route Operational Manual (see Chapter 18)
Company Emergency Procedure Manuals
Cargo Securing Manual (see Chapter 18)
Training Manual (see Chapter 18)
Maintenance and Servicing Manual (see Chapter 18)

UK FLAG CRAFT

MCA
MCA
MCA
Class
MCA
Class
MCA
MCA
MCA
MCA
MCA

Appropriate Certifying Authority
MCA
MCA
MCA
MCA
Operator
MCA
MCA
MCA

FOREIGN CRAFT

Flag State
Flag State* +
Flag State+
Flag State*

Flag State*

Flag State*
Flag State*+
Flag State*+
Flag State+

Flag State*

Flag State+
Flag State*
Flag State*
Flag State*
Operator
Flag State*
Flag State*
Flag State*

Notes:

* A Classification Society may act on behalf of the Administration.

+ MCA may be asked to act on behalf of the Administration.

# Stockholm Agreement, otherwise known as: Agreement Concerning Specific Stability Requirements for Ro-Ro Passenger Ships Undertaking Regular Scheduled International Voyages Between or To or From Designated Ports in North West Europe and the Baltic Sea.

& Refer to MSC/Circ.1028.