This course is essential reading for anyone involved in building, fitting out, certifying or advising on sport and pleasure vessels in commercial use, including:

•       Boatbuilders and production managers

•       Technical staff responsible for compliance and certification

•       Naval architects working on small commercial craft

•       Chandlers, dealers and marine surveyors advising owner/operators

•       Fleet operators transitioning existing vessels from old codes

•       Anyone who needs to understand the new certification and examination regime

 

The programme follows the structure of the Code and covers the sections most relevant to new builds and existing vessels entering the certification process under the new regime:

The Regulatory Landscape

•       How the SPV Code sits within SI 2025 No. 1195 and how Intended Pleasure Vessels (IPV) are treated

•       Understanding the role of Marine Guidance Notes, MIN 724 and YDSA as Certifying Authority

•       Code updates, CA interpretations, and the equivalence/exemption process via MSF 1612

Scope, Transitional Arrangements and Area Categories

•       New vessel vs existing vessel definitions — including the 5-year gap rule

•       Transitional timelines: what changes immediately, what has a 3-year window

•       Revised area categories, including changes to Cat 5, and alignment with RCD/RCR Design Categories

Vessel Requirements — Structure to Electrical

•       Using RCD/RCR Declarations of Conformity and Post Construction Assessments for structural compliance

•       New requirements for hull materials (HDPE restrictions for battery-electric vessels)

•       Windows and accessways: ISO 12216 compliance, watertight vs weathertight distinctions

•       Sea inlets, valves and piping: fire-resistant materials, Marelon acceptability, plastic pipe rules

•       Propulsion systems: diesel, hybrid, electric (Annex 1), petrol outboards, alternative fuels and kill cords

•       Electrical installations: BS EN ISO 13297, BMEEA CoP, battery stowage, BMS, thermal runaway provisions

•       Steering, bilge pumping and stability — key changes including 82.5 kg person weight standard

Safety Systems and LSA

•       Life-saving appliance requirements by area category — liferafts, lifejackets, TPAs, EPIRBs

•       Fire safety: machinery space insulation by construction material, fixed systems, detection and escape

•       Radiocommunications and GMDSS carriage requirements by sea area

•       Navigation equipment requirements including AIS and radar thresholds

Certification, Examination and Documentation

•       The new compliance examination regime, vessel groups, and 5-year certificate cycle

•       Annual, intermediate and renewal examinations — what owners can do vs what requires an Authorised Person

•       New Risk Assessment obligations — operational, activity-specific and submission to the CA

•       SCV2 obligations: new data fields, certificate endorsements, modification procedures

•       Safety Management System requirements — 3-year implementation timeline

•       MARPOL, EIAPP, anti-fouling and anti-pollution documentation obligations

Operational Requirements — Manning, Special Operations

•       Manning requirements, qualifications, single-handed operations, bareboat charter

•       Towing, high-speed operations, diving ops, daughter craft and tender classification

•       Racing vessels, race support boats and beachcraft provisions

Trainees, hours of rest, fire safety training requirements

Code in force	12 December 2025
Replaces	Blue Code, Yellow Code, Red Code, MGN 280, IPV Code
Size	281 pages (+ MIN 724 supplement) — vs 148 pages under MGN 280
Biggest changes	New design/install standards, risk assessment regime, SMS requirement, expanded electrical and propulsion rules
Transitional deadline	Next renewal examination or 3 years from entry into force — whichever is later
Format	Full day, online or in-person (check schedule)
Delivery	British Marine Training Academy in partnership with YDSA
CPD	Qualifies for CPD hours — certificate of attendance issued

This course is led by Ross Wombwell, a Marine Consultant with over two decades of hands-on experience at the intersection of technical standards, regulatory compliance and marine training. Ross served as Head of Technical at British Marine and as Chair of the relevant BSI committee, and currently represents the UK as Expert on multiple ISO standards including ISO 13297, ISO 23625 and ISO 16315. He works directly with British Marine, YDSA and the RYA on code interpretation and implementation — giving delegates direct access to practitioner insight that goes well beyond the published text.

Don't leave it to the last minute

The SPV Code is already in force. New vessels must comply immediately. Existing vessels have a transitional window, but with a limited pool of Certifying Authority assessors and a large number of vessels to process, those who wait until the end of the transition period risk significant delays — and potentially vessels tied up unable to trade. The best approach is to understand the requirements now, carry out your own review, and engage your surveyor at the right point in the process.

Places are limited. To secure your attendance or to discuss in-house delivery for your team, contact the British Marine Training Academy:

📧 training@britishmarine.co.uk