The Code applies to a motor or sailing vessel of 24 metres in load line length and over or, if built before 21 July 1968, which is of 150 tons gross tonnage and over and which, at the time, is in commercial use for sport or pleasure and carries no cargo and no more than 12 passengers. The Code only applies to vessels of less than 3000 GT. Sail training vessels are included in this application.

The Code sets required standards of safety and pollution prevention which are appropriate to the size of the vessel. The standards applied are either set by the relevant international conventions or equivalent standards where it is not reasonable or practicable to comply. Provision is made within the Code to add any specific national requirements within a National Annex.

 The Code has been developed by an industry wide group with the express intention of setting pollution prevention and safety standards which identify with the specific needs of vessels in commercial use for sport and pleasure. The Code was reviewed and revised in 2004 to bring it up to date and reflect the needs of the industry.

The Code text is available in the download section of this website.