The Commercial Yacht Code has been amended

The Authority for Transport in Malta has advised that following consultation with all the stakeholders involved, the Commercial Yacht Code 2010 has been revised.

The revised Code will serve better the needs of the now larger yacht industry aiming to optimise the regulatory regime to the particular needs, demands and technologies of this market, in conformity with recent safety and international regulations and standards.

Some of the features of the ‘new’ Commercial Yacht Code are as follows:

• the removal of the 3,000 GT boundary – the rationale is that charter yachts which are engaged in trade are getting bigger in size;
• the Survey & Certification Process has been made more user transparent, friendly and less time consuming;
• MARPOL and SOLAS up to-date requirements have been introduced as applicable (as by way of example ISM, ISPS);
• Specific details and requirements about helicopter landing/parking areas have now been incorporated in the Code – the industry has seen an immense increase in helicopter use on board super yacht.

The Code has in general been updated to include new technologies and it has also left the possibility for even newer technologies to be introduced in the future.

The new revised Commercial Yacht Code 2015 will take effect as from the 1st October 2015.

For further information about how GVZH Advocates can help you with your yachting requirements kindly contact us here.