LONDON, Feb. 23 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
Workboat owners and operatorswith vessels requiring a survey byDecember2026are being urged to act nowto avoid missingthedeadlinefor transitionto theupdatedcodeof safety standards.
The message is beingissued jointly by theMaritime andCoastguard Agency(MCA)andtheWorkboat Association tothose affected by transitional arrangementstotheWorkboat Code Edition 3ending on 13 December 2026.
The aim is to avoid demand for surveysat the end of the year causing a shortage of slots,and the potential for vessels having to be tied up while they wait to be seen by certifying authorities.
Affectedvesselswill be among thosecurrentlyholdingfive-year certificationunderpreviouscodes,includingthe Brown Code, its equivalent standard published in MGN 280(M), or Workboat Code Edition 2, Amendment 1.
Transition to Workboat Code Edition 3permittedvesselsto meetrequirements by the vessel's next renewal examination or three years after the date of entry into force of the Code, on 13 December2023,whichever is later.
It means that 13 December 2026 is when the first cohort of vesselsnot to have transitioned to the new codemusthavesecuredthe correct certification to remain active.
The advice from the MCA and Workboat Associationis:checkthe code,preparethe vessel,bookthe survey.
Rob Taylor, MCA Code Vessel Lead, said:
TheUK's fleet ofworkboatsdeliversavitalservicefor awiderange of maritime industries. To ensure business keeps flowing,we want to help make sure everyone isready.
The Workboat Code Edition 3 was created to help the industry stay safe and support developing technology.It'sa clearer code but there are changes, so we want everyone to bepreparedwithout a last-minute rush.
The MCA and the Workboat Associationare speaking with one voice toencourageowners and operatorstodo three things:check the code, preparethevessel,bookthesurvey.
Kerrie Forster, Chief Executive Officer of the Workboat Association, said:
With the first transition deadline fast approaching, I urge all operators ofpreviousWorkboat Code editions to ensure their vessels, crew and documentation are fully aligned.
This is not just a regulatory milestone -it'san important opportunity for industry todemonstrateits commitment tosafety, consistency, andprofessionalism.
Do not allow yourself to be caught out by the13 December 2026 deadline.
Anoperator whoissecuringsafety certification under the Workboat Code Edition 3 is Ben Wheatley,Marine Superintendent at Marine Plant Hire(UK) Ltd.
Read Ben's story:Firm's business boost from embracing Workboat Code Edition 3
Ben, whose background is a certified Master, believes embracing the Code is an "investment" that, with forward planning, has strengthened clients' confidence in Marine Plant Hire (UK)Ltd'scapabilities and fueled its expansion.
Ben said:
Essentially, it makes you more commercially resilient - clients are seeing the value in the Code.
Background
The Workboat Code Edition 3 includes the world's first maritime safety legislation for the development of remotely operated unmanned vessels and workboats using alternative fuels.
Previously, operators needed to consult different codes, depending on their vessel's age and specifications. The new, unified version places these sets of requirements into a single publication.
Visit the Workboat Code Edition 3.
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