LY3

What LY3 was for

Large yachts in commercial use do not fit neatly into any single class of merchant ship, and some merchant ship standards do not suit them. LY3 applies the standards of the relevant international conventions where that is practicable, and equivalent standards where compliance is not reasonable or practicable. LY3 records the UK’s notification to the International Maritime Organization of the code as an equivalent arrangement under Article 8 of the Load Line Convention, SOLAS Regulation I/5 and Article 9 of the STCW Convention. Once the corresponding surveys and inspections are satisfactorily completed, compliance with LY3 entitles a yacht to the certificates required by the international conventions that apply to her.

The code was developed by the UK, its overseas territories and Crown Dependencies, together with industry representatives, and was revised in 2012. Its scope covers “pleasure vessels engaged in trade” in the sense of the Load Line Convention: yachts of 24 metres and over in load line length or, if built before 21 July 1968, of 150 gross tons and over under the tonnage measurement rules applying at that date, that carry no cargo and no more than 12 passengers. Sail training ships are included. For pleasure vessels outside that commercial scope, the code only recommends compliance with its standards.

What the code covers

LY3 has chapters on construction and strength, weathertight integrity, stability and freeboard, machinery, electrical installations, steering gear and bilge pumping, life-saving appliances, structural fire protection and fire appliances, radio and navigation equipment, accommodation, protection of personnel, medical stores, manning and certification, survey and certification, safety management and ship security. Several technical chapters set separate requirements for yachts below 500 gross tonnage and those of 500 gross tonnage and over. Accommodation chapters 21A and 21B, divided at 200 gross tonnage, address yachts constructed on or after MLC entry into force. Their application is subject to exceptions for yachts below 200 gross tonnage that do not trade internationally and, with the Administration’s agreement under section 21B.1.2, qualifying traditionally built yachts.

An Administration may accept an alternative standard it considers equivalent, and applications for an alternative or an exemption from a specific requirement are made to the flag. An alternative therefore needs the Administration’s consideration; it is not granted automatically by the code.

LY3 and the REG Yacht Code

The REG Yacht Code was launched in November 2017. Part A replaced LY3 with the same scope, and Part B replaced the Passenger Yacht Code. Part B covers pleasure yachts on international voyages carrying more than 12 but no more than 36 passengers, no more than 200 persons in total and no cargo. Under the UK’s MSN 1895, Part A has legal force from 1 January 2019, and the earlier codes are no longer available for new vessels after that date. For a yacht on another register, the flag Administration’s own instrument governs.

The July 2024 edition of Part A, including Corrigenda No.1, sets out how earlier yachts are treated:

• A yacht whose keel was laid, or which reached a similar stage of construction, before 1 July 2024 and which has been, or is, under survey to LY1, LY2, LY3 or the 2019 edition may continue to be considered under the standards in force at the time of her initial survey.
• If her keel was laid, or she reached a similar stage of construction, before 1 January 2019, she must also comply with section 1.6(2) of the 2019 edition. That section listed specific items, such as lifejackets, recovery of persons from the water, emergency drills, manning and hours of work, and medical care, to be met by the first annual survey after 1 January 2019.
• Older yachts without previous certification under those codes fall under section 1.6(1), which requires the 2024 edition subject to section 1.6(4). Where a vessel already in service does not fully meet the Code’s safety standards but those standards are reasonable and practicable for her, the Administration may consider the Company’s proposal to phase them in over an agreed period of no more than 18 months.
• A yacht whose building contract is placed, or, without a contract, whose keel is laid or which reaches a similar stage of construction, on or after 1 July 2024 must comply with the 2024 edition, subject to section 1.6(4).

Section 1.6(4) gives specified amendments concerning hull openings, stability and hull-door procedures a separate 1 January 2027 contract date, or construction-stage date where there is no contract. Early adoption is recommended; until then, yachts certified to the 2024 edition must meet the corresponding 2019 requirements unless they adopt those amendments early.

For an existing yacht, “LY3” therefore describes the standard of her original certification, together with the later items the REG Code requires of her. It is not a complete statement of what she must meet today.

Refit and conversion

Under Part A, a yacht undergoing repairs, alterations or modifications must continue to meet at least the requirements that previously applied to her. The areas of a yacht that undergo work which substantially alters her dimensions or substantially increases her service life are treated as a new vessel from the date the work started. Where a change takes the yacht to a new regulatory threshold, such as 500 gross tonnage, compliance with the relevant provisions for a new vessel of that size is required. Replaced, added or modified propulsion and auxiliary machinery must meet the applicable requirements of MARPOL Annex VI. A ship of any age converted to a yacht is treated as a new vessel from the date the conversion began. For conversions and for alterations of this kind, Part A requires detailed proposals to be submitted to the Administration for review at the earliest possible opportunity. For a yacht certified under LY3, the flag Administration or its delegated authority should confirm how these provisions apply before the work is planned in detail.

Frequently asked questions

Does an LY3 yacht have to be classed?

For construction and strength, LY3 requires new vessels to be built to the rules of a recognised classification society listed in the code’s National Annex and to hold a commercial Certificate of Classification. It says existing vessels without such a certificate should obtain one, and allows the Administration to agree alternative arrangements for short-range operation of yachts under 500 gross tonnage. In the current REG Yacht Code Part A, several chapters, including those on machinery, steering gear and bilge pumping, also refer to the requirements of a Recognised Organisation, meaning a classification society or other authorised body.

Can a private yacht built to LY3 standards later move into commercial use under LY3?

Not on the strength of her design alone. Under section 1.6(2) of REG Yacht Code Part A, earlier standards continue to be available to yachts that have been, or are, under survey to LY1, LY2, LY3 or the 2019 edition. A yacht whose keel was laid, or which reached a similar stage of construction, before 1 July 2024 and which has not previously been certificated under those codes must comply with the 2024 edition, subject to section 1.6(4). For a yacht already in service, the Administration may consider a phased programme of no more than 18 months where the Code standards are reasonable and practicable for her. The flag Administration confirms which provision applies to a particular yacht.

Sources

• MCA: LY3, The Large Commercial Yacht Code
• REG Yacht Code Part A, July 2024 edition including Corrigenda No.1