TTM03520 - Seagoing ships - Restricted Certificates

Seagoing: Certification of ships

Some ships are only certificated to operate at sea under certain, restricted conditions.

Examples of such certificates are the Class VI or Class VI(A) certificates that may be issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to passenger ships engaged on domestic voyages within the UK.

These certificates impose a number of restrictions on when the ships may operate at sea. These restrictions may cover:

• Where the ship operates - a ship with a Class VI(A) certificate can operate no more than 3 miles from land
• When a ship operates - a ship with a Class VI certificate cannot operate in winter or at night; the ship will not be a qualifying ship.
• How many passengers may be carried - a ship with a Class VI(A) certificate cannot carry more than 50 passengers.

Ships that have been issued with these certificates are only certificated for navigation at sea if they are operating in accordance with the restrictions set out in the certificate.

This means that a ship with a Class VI certificate is not certified as seagoing if it is operational in winter or at night.

Companies operating sea going ships must have a Safety Management Certificate and each vessel must have a Document of Compliance in accordance with the ISM code.

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