Breaking the Mould Group Blog

2024 Small Commercial Yacht Code: Pros & Cons

Written by Breaking the Mould Consulting | May 20, 2024 10:14:21 AM

Transport Malta's Merchant Shipping Directorate has exciting news for the yachting industry. Merchant Shipping Directorate have introduced the Small Commercial Yacht Code (sCYC) 2024.

This is a special set of rules for smaller commercial yachts registered in Malta. Experts from the yachting industry helped create these rules. The rules make sure the yachts are safe and follow international standards, but they also take into account the unique needs of this type of yacht.

Contents

About sCYC

Transitioning from CYC to sCYC

Extended Range Tender Guidelines Revision

Streamlined Crew Authorisation Attestation

What's New?

The SCYC replaces the relevant sections of the Commercial Yacht Code 2020 (CYC) for commercial yachts under 24 meters in length. This means yachts as small as 12 meters, previously excluded from the CYC, can now be commercially registered under the Malta flag. That's right, the sCYC opens doors for a wider range of yachts to operate commercially!

The code applies specifically to commercial yachts with hull lengths between 12 and 24 meters (LH according to ISO 8666) and a maximum passenger capacity of 12.

Transitioning from CYC to SCYC

For existing CYC-certified yachts under 24 meters, the transition is smooth. These yachts will need to undergo surveys and certification by the SCYC by their first renewal survey after June 1st, 2024. All the necessary information regarding this transition is available in the Survey and Certification section of the SCYC. Upon successful completion of the surveys and inspections, yachts will be issued a Small Commercial Yacht Certificate by the Administration.

Get your copy of the SCYC.

For further details on the official announcement, refer to Commercial Yachting Notice 12.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Alongside the exciting launch of the Small Commercial Yacht Code (SCYC), Transport Malta's Merchant Shipping Directorate has announced two more updates for Malta-flagged yachts:

Extended Range Tender Guidelines Revision

The revised Commercial Yachting Notice 2 Rev.1 clarifies the regulations for extended-range tender operation on Maltese commercial yachts. These guidelines, effective April 1st, 2024, apply to tenders 24 meters or under in length that are registered under the mother yacht's certificate.

Key Points:

  • Tenders must be used solely for the mother yacht's business.
  • The new guidelines work in conjunction with existing regulations in the CYC (Section 22) and the sCYC (Section 19).
  • Existing extended-range tenders must comply with these guidelines by the mother yacht's first periodical survey after June 1st, 2024.

Download: Commercial Yachts Extended Range Tender Guidelines

Download: Commercial Yachting Notice 2 Rev.1

Streamlined Crew Authorisation Attestation

The sCYC Request for Crew Authorisation Attestation simplifies the process for obtaining crew authorization attestations, often required by port authorities for granting commercial yacht charter licenses (SCYC Section 16.12). This update provides a standardized request form to be submitted to the Transport Malta Yachting Section along with supporting documentation.

Who can submit the form?

  • Recognized Organizations
  • Appointed Government Surveyors
  • The yacht's Maltese Legal Representative

Contact Breaking the Mould Consulting Ltd. today!

Schedule a free consultation with our experts and discover how we can streamline your yachting operations in Malta. Let us handle the complexities of sCYC compliance and other regulations, so you can focus on what truly matters – running a successful yachting business.