CodeWatch by YachtOpera
Monitor verified updates from flag states, international maritime bodies, port state control regimes and classification societies. Understand which vessels may be affected.
We email you when an update affects your flag or vessel type.
Flag-state, IMO/ILO and class updates relevant to yacht operations.
Isle of Man: Isle of Man Ship Registry··MSN-054 (Rev. 5)Action requiredThe Isle of Man Ship Registry issued Revision 5 of MSN-054, consolidating the REG Yacht Code and the Isle of Man's LY3 National Annex. It sets out how REG Yacht Code Part A applies to commercial yachts of 24m+. This revision incorporates updated guidance on equivalent pilot-boarding arrangements requiring a documented risk assessment.
Isle of Man · Certificates · Safety Management (ISM) · Crew and MLC
Bermuda: Bermuda Shipping and Maritime Authority··BGN 2026-08Action requiredBermuda Guidance Notice 2026-08, issued 20 August 2026, consolidates LRIT and EPIRB equipment requirements. It confirms LRIT is mandatory under SOLAS V/19-1 for ships 300GT+, requiring reporting of test reports to Bermuda's Maritime Operations Centre. Bermuda-flagged yachts 300GT+ on international voyages need to verify LRIT conformance records.
Bermuda · Radio and GMDSS · Navigation and Bridge
United Kingdom: Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)··MSN 1905 (M+F) Amendment 5Action requiredMSN 1905 Amendment 5, published 13 August 2026, sets out current minimum medical stores requirements for UK-flagged ships, replacing Amendment 4. It includes annexes detailing medicines, dressings and equipment required by vessel category. Operators need to reconcile onboard stock and DMLC medical provisioning against the new annexes.
United Kingdom · Medical and Sanitation
Poland: Urząd Morski w Gdyni (regional maritime office)·In force·Zarządzenie Nr 20/2026Action requiredThe Director of the Maritime Office in Gdynia issued Order No. 20, establishing a safety zone around the export cables of the Baltic Power offshore wind farm. The order restricts navigation and anchoring within the defined cable corridor. Vessels transiting the southern Baltic coast, including yachts, must respect the marked safety zone.
Poland · Navigation and Bridge
Poland: Urząd Morski w Gdyni (regional maritime office)·In force·Zarządzenie porządkowe Nr 15/2026Action requiredOrder No. 15 of the Director of the Maritime Office in Gdynia establishes the procedure for imposing FuelEU penalties and issuing FuelEU compliance documents under EU Regulation 2023/1805. This is chiefly relevant to larger commercial/charter yachts that fall within FuelEU Maritime's scope. DPAs handling FuelEU documentation for qualifying vessels should note this local administrative procedure.
Poland · Environmental / MARPOL
The SEA Index®, a CO₂ emissions assessment methodology validated by Lloyd's Register, has expanded its scope beyond superyachts to cover the whole recreational boating market. While not a formal classification rule change, this expansion now brings a much larger population of production yachts into scope for environmental-performance tracking.
Environmental / MARPOL · Certificates · LR
ClassNK issued amendments to its Technical Rules and Guidance spanning hull, machinery, equipment and survey requirements. Of particular relevance to yachts is an update to reference standards for FRP (composite) products. The package also updates the Guidance for Inclining Test, applicable to all vessel types including yachts.
Machinery and Engineering
Bahamas: Bahamas Maritime Authority·In force·MN 80Action requiredMarine Notice 80 (v1.2, effective 12 June 2026) sets out the BMA's inspection and testing regime for automatic sprinkler and water-mist systems required under SOLAS Chapter II-2 or the HSC Code. It introduces a tiered testing approach triggered by system age and results, plus water-quality sampling and reporting. Creates concrete testing obligations for Bahamas-flagged yachts with fitted sprinkler/water-mist systems.
Bahamas · Fire-Fighting Equipment
Bahamas: Bahamas Maritime Authority·In force·MN 108Action requiredMarine Notice 108 (v1.1, effective 6 May 2026) implements SOLAS Chapter II-1, Regulation 3-13 (in force since 1 January 2026). It captures cranes/davits used for launch/recovery of tenders, introducing a five-year load-testing cycle. Applies to Bahamian ships with SOLAS certification and lifting appliances of 1000kg SWL+.
Bahamas · Lifting Appliances · Tenders and Watersports
British Virgin Islands: Virgin Islands Shipping & Maritime Authority·In force·Marine Circular 02/2026Action requiredMarine Circular 02/2026, issued 11 June 2026, alerts stakeholders to recent incidents involving fraudulent passports and certificates submitted for registration or crewing purposes. It restates VISMA's zero-tolerance policy, requiring independent verification through official channels. Yacht managers should tighten due diligence on crew certificates and vessel documentation.
British Virgin Islands · Certificates · Crew and MLC
British Virgin Islands: Virgin Islands Shipping & Maritime Authority··Marine Circular 01/2026InformationalMarine Circular 01/2026, issued 26 May 2026 by VISMA, establishes the "Yacht Engaged in Trade" (YET) scheme, allowing a BVI-registered pleasure yacht of 24m+ to charter up to 84 days per year in EU waters without switching to commercial registration. Eligible yachts must comply with the REG Yacht Code, MLC 2006, MARPOL, ISM and ISPS. While chartering the yacht is treated as commercial, carrying a maximum of 12 passengers.
British Virgin Islands · Certificates · Other Statutory Requirements
Cayman Islands: Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands··CIGN 04/2026 Rev 1.0LOWThe Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands (MACI) has introduced a national annex to the Red Ensign Group (REG) Yacht Code, allowing yachts to be assigned voluntary "Additional Voluntary Flag Notations" recognising safety standards that exceed the REG Code's mandatory minimums. Five notations are currently available: Fire Safety+ (sprinkler protection in accommodation/service spaces on yachts under 500GT), Passive Fire Protection+ (enhanced structural fire containment on short-range yachts under 500GT), Survivability+ (damage stability compliance on short-range yachts under 500GT), Seaworthiness+ (compliance with the IMO Intact Stability Code's severe weather criterion), and Weight Growth+ (a stability margin exceeding 5% of the yacht's lightweight). MACI recommends owners and their technical advisors consider these notations at the new-build specification stage, since retrofitting is more costly. The notations are entirely voluntary and do not alter mandatory REG Yacht Code requirements.
Cayman Islands · Fire-Fighting Equipment · Other Statutory Requirements