A new revision of the gold standard Red Ensign Group Yacht Code is being published today (1 Jan).
It 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.
This represents 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.
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 with a view to ensuring its consistent application and setting a level playing field for industry.
Although the Code is being published today, it will not come into force until July 2024 to give the industry time both to become familiar with it and comply.
A Red Ensign Group spokesperson said: “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.”