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‘More accessible and easy to use’ – Updates to health and safety handbook complete

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The key health and safety handbook for seafarers has been given a makeover, making it “more accessible and easy to use”.   Following industry and stakeholder feedback the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has updated the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers (COSWP).      While still providing the same important guidance to the seafarer community, the code’s language, design and structure has been updated, making the contents of the code informative but simple and clear.      The physical format of the code has also changed to a bound copy rather than loose-leaf, making it easier to access the most up to date information.     A sample of the revamped code went to consultation at the end of last year, and now, after receiving an overall positive response, the new version has been officially released today.      MCA Chief Executive Virginia McVea said:     “The Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers is such an important tool and we’re excit
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Boat owner to pay £20k after vessel collides with rocks

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A boat owner has been ordered to pay £20,000 at the Portsmouth Crown Court today, 16 February, following a joint investigation by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Hampshire Police. Ian Sullivan, 55, from Swindon, pleaded guilty to a failure to keep a proper lookout and failure to proceed at a safe speed under The Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996, in connection with the grounding of his vessel Sully in Totland Bay, Isle of Wight in September, 2022. In addition to costs, Sullivan has been sentenced to 18 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months, and must complete 150 hours of unpaid work. Three passengers on board the motorboat sustained serious injuries when the vessel collided with rocks at the shoreline, with one of the crew suffering life-changing injuries. Several witnesses reported that the brightly lit motor cruiser crossed Totland Bay at speed on the night of 24 September and would have been unlikely to maintain
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‘It’s my dream job’: Winner of Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Officer Trainee of the Year

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A deck officer who discovered a “love for the sea” as a young teenager has been given the 2023 Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Officer Trainee of the Year award. Katie Jayne McGahan Hargreaves was chosen for her willingness to go above and beyond in promoting the maritime industry as an enthusiastic and dedicated ambassador. She was just 13 years old when she found her passion for the water, almost by accident, having taken up an invite to join her brothers in the Sea Cadets during the school holidays. Katie signed up to a sailing course within weeks and her new lifelong ambition saw her go on to qualify as an officer several years later. She is now third officer for Cemex Marine Aggregates. The award was presented at the UK Chamber of Shipping’s annual gala dinner on Monday 5 February at the JW Marriott Hotel, London. Katie was nominated by her nautical college Fleetwood Nautical Campus in Blackpool, Fylde College, and training management companies Chiltern Maritime and MEF (Maritime
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Funding for seafarer cadets available for an extra six months

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  Seafarer cadets can now continue to access financial support for their training up until spring 2025, as funds have been locked in for a further six months.   In 2022 the UK Government announced an increase in training subsidies for cadets, leading to more than £40million being awarded to the Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) fund, as well as providing additional support for junior officers .     With this pot of money, eligible seafarers have the opportunity to get half of their training paid – the subsidy went from 30 per cent to 50 per cent for all new and existing SMarT funded seafarers - providing a real investment in the future of maritime and securing future growth.     The boost will also assist UK Junior Officers to complete a Management Level Certificate of Competency.   With an original end date of September 2024, this funding will now be available until 31 March 2025 .     The funds awarded to SMarT have an objective of providing further financial support to thos
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A new tool to boost safety on vessels through effective leadership has been published by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)

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This comprehensive ‘Leading for safety’ publication will provide leaders in the maritime sector with cutting edge guidance on how to create or enhance a culture of safety explaining how to implement standards through their leadership style. Developed through research both in the maritime and other hazardous industries, it confirms the significant impact of leaders on the safety of operations and goes further than ever before in providing guidance on the 'how-to'. Extensive consultation with industry allowed the MCA to explore all the different elements that affect safety and allow us to demonstrate how leaders are crucial with explanations on the use of human element principles such as self-awareness to create a culture of safety. Virginia McVea, Chief Executive Officer for the MCA said: The safety of those at sea is our top priority at MCA and we know well how hard leaders in the sector work day and night to protect the public and their teams. This guidance acknowledges the re
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More than 40 years' service to maritime recognised in New Year Honours

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A woman responsible for registering deaths and births at sea, who is “an incredible asset to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency”, has been recognised in the 2024 New Year Honours.  Denise Cooke joined the Department for Transport, the MCA’s parent company, on 18 June 1980. More than 40 years later her service to maritime continues, now working in the MCA’s Registry of Shipping and Seamen (RSS). Registering births and deaths at sea has been Denise’s sole responsibility for many years, which she says is both “challenging and rewarding”. Now, to celebrate her significant, impactful service, Denise is to be recognised as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). Finding out about her honours through the post, Denise, based in Cardiff, said: “The letter arrived and I couldn’t get past the first two sentences. It just wouldn’t sink in. I was speechless, I’m just a normal person doing a job. “To know someone has gone to the trouble to nominate me, I can’t begin to describe how specia
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Have your say on updated shipping regulations

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  It's time to have your say on changes to important shipping regulations.       Current UK laws on the carriage of cargoes and dangerous goods are being revised and updated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, to make sure they continue enforcing safety at sea in line with international safety standards.       The first proposed set of regulations is the Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Cargoes) Regulations 2024. This will revoke and replace the current Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Cargoes) Regulations 1999.       This new legislation largely updates and restates existing law, but ensures it is up-to-date and reflective of international law too. This includes the implementation of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code – ensuring the safe stowage and shipment of solid bulk cargoes - and a prohibition on the at-sea blending of liquid chemicals.      The proposed Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Harmful Substances) Regulations
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