What changes in the MCA Sport & Pleasure Vessel Code 2025 — operator's checklist

From 1 December 2025 the new MCA Sport & Pleasure Vessel Code Edition 1 replaces the old MGN 280 framework. Here are the five biggest shifts skippers actually need to act on — plus a checklist to walk into your next survey clean.

What's actually changing

For more than two decades, small commercial vessels in the UK under 24 m have been certificated under MGN 280. From the start of December 2025 that framework is replaced — for chartered yachts, motor cruisers, sport boats and similar pleasure-vessel applications — by the new MCA Sport & Pleasure Vessel Code Edition 1 (commonly abbreviated as the SPV Code 2025).

The Code consolidates and modernises requirements that have lived across multiple MGNs and MINs. It also raises the bar in a few targeted areas — most notably the safety management evidence operators must keep, and the stability declaration for vessels under 15 m. Workboats stay on the Workboat Code Edition 3 (a separate publication).

If you operate a chartered yacht, motor cruiser, RIB, sport boat or similar pleasure-vessel in commercial use in UK waters, the SPV Code applies to you. If you operate a workboat, pilot boat, dive boat, charter RIB used in non-passenger commercial operations, or wind-farm support vessel, you stay under Workboat Code Edition 3 — we covered the differences in Workboat Code Edition 3 vs SPV Code — which applies?.

1. Single-route stability declaration for under-15 m vessels

Under MGN 280 the stability route was complicated: different rules for monohull / multihull / inflatable / open / decked, and different evidence depending on length, category and persons carried. The 2025 Code consolidates this into a single declaration route for most under-15 m vessels, with a clearer evidence list and a standardised stability book template.

What this means in practice: existing vessels with an MGN 280 stability declaration on file remain compliant during the transition window (12 months). New builds and new charter operations after 1 December 2025 should use the new template. If you don't have a stability book on file at all, this is the year to commission one.

What to do now

• Locate your current stability declaration. Confirm the issuing naval architect and the date.
• If it predates 2015 or has no clear signature, commission a re-survey.
• Store the original PDF where your surveyor can see it — the Code expects evidence on demand, not on request.

2. Mandatory Safety Management System for charter operations

This is the change most likely to catch operators out. Under MGN 280, a documented SMS was best practice but not mandatory for under-24 m vessels in most cases. The SPV Code 2025 introduces a baseline SMS requirement for all charter operations, regardless of length.

The Code specifies the minimum sections an SMS must cover:

1. Operating area and limitations
2. Emergency procedures (man overboard, fire, flooding, abandonment)
3. Drills schedule and crew familiarisation
4. Equipment inspection and maintenance routine
5. Passenger briefing protocol
6. Reporting of accidents and near-misses
7. Crew qualifications and watchkeeping
8. Vessel-specific risk assessment
9. Owner declarations
10. Document control and version history
11. Annual review record

You don't need a 100-page document. You need each of those sections covered, signed, and refreshed annually. CodedOK auto-drafts an 11-section SMS from a six-question wizard — the output is editable in plain English and can be exported as PDF for surveyor sign-off.

"Most of the operators flagged at survey for SMS in the first year of the new Code won't be missing it entirely — they'll have one that's outdated, unsigned, or written in language nobody could use in an emergency."

3. Refreshed equipment carriage tables

The equipment carriage requirements have been pulled into a single set of tables in the Code itself (previously they were spread across MGNs and MIN annexes). A few specific changes:

• EPIRB is now required for Category 0–2 charter vessels (previously Cat 0–1 only).
• SOLAS-rated pyrotechnics remain a hard requirement; the Code is more explicit about expiry tracking.
• VHF DSC with valid Ship Radio Licence and at least one operator with a current SRC certificate.
• Life raft service intervals remain at 12 months but the Code clarifies that the service certificate must be available, not just the sticker.
• First aid kit spec is updated to align with the latest MCA standard (small adjustments to medication list).

If your existing equipment list pre-dates the new Code, it is worth running it against the new tables in one sitting. Surveyors will use the new tables from 1 December.

4. Owner-declaration system

The SPV Code introduces (or formalises) a series of owner declarations that have to be on file:

• Operating area declaration (Category and any local limits)
• Persons carried declaration (max persons, including crew)
• Stability declaration (linked to point 1 above)
• Bareboat / instructed-charter declaration (which applies to your operation)
• Annual safety management review declaration

Each declaration must be signed by the registered owner, dated, and version-controlled. CodedOK keeps these as structured records per vessel with timestamped signatures.

5. Transition window — 12 months for existing vessels

The MCA has confirmed a 12-month transition window for existing certificated vessels: until 1 December 2026, vessels with valid MGN 280 coding certificates remain compliant. Their next annual renewal under MGN 280 expectations is fine.

However, new vessels, change-of-owner, or change-of-use applications after 1 December 2025 must use the SPV Code 2025 from day one. If you're planning a refit, an upgrade in operating category, or selling a coded vessel, the new Code applies immediately.

Where CodedOK fits

CodedOK is built around the SPV Code 2025 from launch. The app loads the new schedule automatically, parses your existing certificates by photograph, runs a gap analysis against the new requirements, and drafts your SMS in your house style. Renewal reminders fire 90 / 60 / 30 days before expiry so nothing lapses through the transition window. Your surveyor gets a free seat to sign the inspection inside the app — no PDF email chase.

Sources and further reading

• MCA: The Sport & Pleasure Vessel Code, Edition 1 (December 2025) — official publication available from the MCA.
• MIN 717 (M) — transitional arrangements between MGN 280 and the SPV Code 2025.
• YDSA member guidance — interpretation notes for surveyors and approved operators.

This article is an operator-friendly summary. CodedOK is an independent compliance tool and is not endorsed by, or affiliated with, the MCA or YDSA. Always consult your recognised surveyor on Code-specific questions for your vessel.