SuperyachtNews – 26 March 2018
A look at the emerging problems associated with manning superyachts able to carry more than 12 passengers…
In November 2010, in recognition of the ever-increasing size of superyachts and the wish to carry more passengers, the Passenger Yacht Code (PYC) was introduced by the Red Ensign Group as an alternative to full compliance with SOLAS 1974 and Load Line 1966 Conventions for private and commercial yachts wanting to carry up to 36 passengers. The Code covers technical, safety and operational standards for yachts and has rules that are more relevant to the nature of yachting – avoiding some of the more onerous aspects of SOLAS without compromising safety through the use of substantial equivalences and improved survivability. The Red Ensign Group (REG) recently released the Red Ensign Group Yacht Code, which merges the most recent PYC development (Part B) and the Large Yacht Code (Part A), updated and with shared annexes.
The introduction of the PYC was a significant step forward for the superyacht industry. Since its implementation, the Code has been a valuable vehicle for commercial and private yachts that want to be able to carry more than 12 passengers, and there are a number of yachts now operating successfully under the PYC. However, the Code does impose some complicated restrictions for the manning of a PYC-compliant vessel and there have been alleged difficulties for these yachts with regards to meeting the increased manning requirements while, at the same time, providing the high level of safety and service expected across all departments by the owner.