MCA code equivalents
MCA code equivalents across every register we track for yachts.
What is meant by MCA code equivalents?
Whether the register recognizes the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency's large yacht codes, or applies an equivalent standard of its own.
Why does MCA code equivalents matter when choosing a register?
Code recognition affects which yards, surveyors and crewing arrangements are accepted, and it is what makes a commercial yacht's certification travel.
Every register for yachts, side by side
Where a register has not published an answer, none is shown, and where the only figure available is an estimate, it is labeled as one.
| Register | Answer |
|---|---|
| British Virgin IslandsVirgin Islands Shipping Registry | Virgin Islands vessels meet the same safety, security and environmental standards as UK vessels; commercial yachts under 24 m need a certificate under the relevant MCA (UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency) Code of Practice.British Virgin Islands Procedure for First (Initial) Registration, and Summary of Registration Requirements (FAQs) - Virgin Islands Shipping Registry brochure, bvimaritime.vgbvimaritime.vgRetrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Cayman IslandsCayman Islands Shipping Registry | The Red Ensign Group Yacht Code applies, presented as equivalent to SOLAS, Load Line and STCW.Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands, 'REG to Consolidate Yacht Regulatory Framework'www.cishipping.comRetrieved 2026-08-11Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| GibraltarGibraltar Yacht Registry | Gibraltar applies the REG Yacht Code Part A rather than writing a code of its own.Shipping Information Notice 124, The Red Ensign Group (REG) Yacht Code Part A, issued 10 July 2025 by the Chief Surveyor, Gibraltar Maritime Administrationgibraltarship.comRetrieved 2026-08-27Effective 2025-07-10Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Isle of ManIsle of Man Ship Registry | The Red Ensign Group Yacht Code applies directly, with LY3 accepted for pleasure yachts over 24 m.Manx Shipping Notice MSN 075 (Rev. 2), Yacht Survey Regimes, issued 14 October 2025, Isle of Man Ship Registrywww.iomshipregistry.com · Section 1, §1Retrieved 2026-08-12Effective 2025-10-14Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| JerseyJersey Ship Registry | The Red Ensign Group Yacht Code and UK codes apply directly, with certification capped at 399 GT.Code of Safety Practice made under Article 3(1) of the Shipping (Safety Code - Yachts and Small Ships) (Jersey) Regulations 2013, Version August 2026, Jersey Maritime Administration / Ports of Jerseycdn.ports.je · §2.3.1.1Retrieved 2026-08-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| MadeiraMadeira International Shipping Register (MAR) | Certification rests on international conventions and recognized classification societies; no UK or Red Ensign yacht code applies.Order nr. 715/89 of 23 August and its annexed MAR Regulation, consolidated English text as amended through Ordinance no. 114/2025/1 of 14 March, published by SDM - Sociedade de Desenvolvimento da Madeirawww.ibc-madeira.com · art. 19Retrieved 2026-08-12Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| MaltaMalta Ship Register | Malta runs its own Commercial Yacht Code, notified to the IMO, rather than adopting the UK code.Commercial Yacht Code (CYC) 2025, Revision 1, Merchant Shipping Directorate, Transport Maltawww.transport.gov.mt (web.archive.org) · §1.8Retrieved 2026-08-18Effective 2025-07-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Marshall IslandsMarshall Islands Maritime Registry | The RMI applies its own Yacht Code, submitted to the IMO as an equivalent arrangement, not a UK code.MI-103, the RMI Yacht Code, Rev. May/2026, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administratorwww.register-iri.com · Ch. I §1.7Retrieved 2026-08-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| PanamaPanama Ship Registry | Panama adopted the Red Ensign Group Yacht Code Parts A and B outright from 1 January 2019.Merchant Marine Circular MMC-370, Yacht Technical Policy, revision of November 2023, Panama Maritime Authority, General Directorate of Merchant Marine, Control and Compliance Departmentwww.panamashipregistry.com · §1.1Retrieved 2026-09-07Effective 2019-01-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| St Vincent and the GrenadinesSt Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration | The flag applies its own yacht codes, accepting the UK Large Yacht Code LY3 as equivalent to the Load Line Convention.Safety Code of Practice for Pleasure Yachts Engaged in Commercial Trade, SVG Code Edition 2008 Rev. 7, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Maritime Administration (archived copy)www.svg-marad.com (web.archive.org) · § 4.2.2Retrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| United KingdomUK Ship Register | The UK wrote the Red Ensign Group Yacht Code rather than adopting another flag's.The Merchant Shipping (Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/1195), regulation 3, latest available revised text - legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)www.legislation.gov.uk · reg. 3(1)Retrieved 2026-09-01Effective 2025-12-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
Where to go next
This item is one of many that bear on the choice. Set it beside the rest before you choose a register, and tell us if a register you need is not covered yet.