Passenger Yacht Code

Where it applies, and why it matters to yachts

REG Part B applies to pleasure yachts of any size in private use or engaged in trade, when they carry more than 12 up to 36 passengers. That scope is unchanged in the 2024 revision, which also provides common annexes used by both Part A and Part B to simplify mixed fleets. Flags outside the Red Ensign Group may publish their own variants, but the REG text is the benchmark many yards and surveyors work to.

What changes when you step above 12 passengers

Moving from REG Part A to Part B brings step-changes in several areas that influence design, build, and operations.

• Subdivision and stability, enhanced damage stability criteria and watertight integrity that must be demonstrated through calculations and approvals. The Part B table of contents mirrors passenger ship structure, including chapters on load lines, construction, subdivision, and stability.

• Fire safety systems, higher performance thresholds drawn from the FSS Code world, for detection, fixed firefighting, and means of escape, sized to passenger counts and accommodation density.

• Life-saving appliances, liferaft capacity, embarkation arrangements, and equipment sets sized and arranged for quick, orderly abandonment at yacht freeboards.

• Operations and documentation, more rigorous drills, manuals, and record-keeping to show the design intent is delivered in daily practice, aligned with survey.

These shifts are why owners and management companies should decide early whether 13 to 36 passengers is a program goal; it affects structure, outfit, schedule, and cost right from concept.

How Part B is organized, without the legalese

Part B reads like a passenger ship distilled for yachts. Chapters cover application and definitions, load lines, construction and subdivision, machinery and electrical, fire protection and detection, life-saving appliances, radio and navigation, plus crew and operational provisions. The format lets naval architects, class, and flag reference the same clauses during plan approval, then gives crews and managers a single standard for training, maintenance, surveys, and sea trial acceptance tests after a refit.

Design and refit implications you should plan for

PYC decisions ripple through the whole project. Interior layout must support protected escape routes, fire divisions, and door control. Engineering spaces often gain upgraded detection and fixed suppression, with power and ventilation interlocks that must be proven during commissioning. Lifesaving capacity, embarkation geometry, and lighting demand careful integration with tenders and deck traffic. None of this kills the yacht feel, however it requires early coordination between design, class, flag, and the shipyard to keep aesthetics and compliance aligned. The July 2024 REG updates keep the Part B scope but refine annexes and guidance to streamline that coordination.

PYC versus other frameworks, quick clarity

• REG Part A vs Part B. Part A is for commercial yachts 24 m and over carrying no more than 12 passengers, Part B is the passenger yacht pathway for more than 12 up to 36. Many fleets operate a mix, so the REG common annexes help standardize shared topics.

• PYC and SOLAS. PYC is an equivalence accepted by maritime administrations to achieve SOLAS-level outcomes on yachts up to 36 passengers. It references the same safety instruments while allowing yacht-specific arrangements.

• National variants. Some flags publish their own PYC documents or notices to apply similar standards within their registries. If you are considering non-REG registration, check the flag’s PYC synopsis to confirm thresholds and documentation.

Who benefits, and how

Owners unlock higher guest counts for events and charters without losing the yacht identity. Captains get a single, auditable standard that aligns design, drills, and surveys, which reduces Port State friction when itineraries expand. Management companies gain predictable compliance baselines across fleets, making crewing, spares, and training scalable. For yards and integrators, Part B provides clear acceptance criteria that keep change orders focused on outcomes rather than interpretation.

Decision checklist before you commit to “36”

• Confirm passenger ambition and itineraries, coastal or remote, which drive life-saving and communications fits in tandem with GMDSS.

• Involve class and flag at concept freeze, not after interior design is locked.

• Budget for heavier subdivision, higher systems performance, and more demanding commissioning, then protect the schedule for integrated trials.

• Plan crew numbers, competence, and documentation so the operational side matches the technical file, a common PSC focus once you start visiting international ports.

The Passenger Yacht Code is not red tape, it is a blueprint for carrying more people safely while keeping the essence of a yacht intact. If your program is flirting with guest number thirteen, bring Part B to the front of the conversation and let it steer design choices, schedule, and training plans. Done well, it turns compliance into a competitive advantage, smoother surveys, confident crews, and a guest experience that scales without surprises.

Passenger Yacht Code FAQ for Yachts

Can my yacht carry more than 12 guests without being treated like a cruise ship?

Yes. Under the Passenger Yacht Code, now REG Yacht Code Part B, a yacht can be built or operated for more than 12 and up to 36 passengers while keeping a yacht layout and service style. You must meet specific safety outcomes for subdivision, fire protection, and life-saving appliances, verified by flag and class.

Is converting an existing 70–100 m yacht to Part B realistic?

It can be, but expect structural and layout changes that are hard to hide late in the project. Typical upgrades include protected escape routes, additional fire doors, revised detection zoning, and new liferaft embarkation geometry. Early design reviews with class and flag reduce steel rework and keep interiors coherent after the refit.

What early design decisions have the biggest impact on Part B compliance?

Stair and corridor cores that create protected escape routes, the subdivision plan that underpins damage stability, and embarkation arrangements for liferafts drive most downstream choices. Power for pumps and ventilation interlocks must be planned with the electrical architecture, not added later. Lock these before interiors are frozen.

Will Part B change the interior look and guest experience?

Good design can make compliance almost invisible. You will see smarter door control, low-location lighting, and clearer wayfinding, which improve safety without spoiling the aesthetic. The main constraint is keeping escape paths and protected lobbies free of obstructions during busy guest movements.

Does Part B require more crew or special qualifications?

Safe manning remains flag driven, but passenger counts and emergency duties often justify extra trained crew. Expect enhanced drills, clearer role cards, and tighter documentation to show design intent is delivered in practice. Training ties into STCW and your Safety Management System.

How do SOLAS and class interact with the Passenger Yacht Code?

Part B is an accepted equivalence to passenger ship outcomes under SOLAS, tailored for yachts up to 36 passengers. Class verifies the design and installation against those outcomes, then flag issues the certificates. Treat it as one system, SOLAS goals, class rules, and REG text aligned.

What are the most common pitfalls after a yard period?

Blocked or narrowed escape routes, mislabeled fire zones, detectors covered during works, and liferaft access compromised by new furniture are frequent. Walk the muster-to-embarkation route with the drawings, then run an integrated test of alarms, doors, ventilation trips, and embarkation lighting before redelivery.

Do tenders and toys change under Part B?

Traffic planning gets sharper. Muster routes, davit swing paths, and tender movements must not conflict during an emergency, which may alter stowage and operating windows. Label and brief these interfaces so guest operations do not undercut evacuation performance.

What about helicopter operations on a passenger yacht?

If you host aviation, foam provision, crew roles, and egress around the helipad must align with your fire plan and the yacht’s divisions. Coordinate drills with the aviation team, including lighting and communications checks. The objective is quick containment without blocking protected routes.

How does Part B change life-saving appliances and embarkation?

Capacity scales to your passenger count, and embarkation arrangements must support rapid, orderly boarding at your freeboard. Davit-launched rafts near musters are common at this size, with lighting, signage, and controlled routes around tender bays. Child, mobility, and crew equipment mixes need to be preplanned and labeled.

Will Part B make Port State Control tougher or easier?

Easier, if you operate as designed. PSC officers recognize the REG framework and look for objective evidence that drills, records, and equipment match the approved plan. A tidy history of corrective actions matters as much as the hardware.

Can we switch between private and commercial use under Part B?

Yes, many programs do. Ensure crewing, documentation, and operating procedures match the current mode, including security and welfare obligations. Keep the same technical standard throughout so seasonal changes remain administrative, not structural.

What should owners decide before committing to “more than 12”?

Confirm guest ambition and itinerary, since range and remoteness affect life-saving and communications fits alongside GMDSS. Agree with class and flag on subdivision and escape strategy at concept freeze. Budget for added systems performance and protected time for integrated trials.

How do we keep aesthetics while meeting protected escape rules?

Use architecture, not signs alone. Place lobbies and stairs where guests naturally flow, integrate door closers and vision panels, and conceal low-location lighting within trims that still remain continuous. Early collaboration between interior, engineering, and class avoids last minute compromises.