Help! Boss wants boat over 500 GT

Nothing that cubic dollars can't solve.

The problems you'll likely encounter are SOLAS related. Many of the marinas in the US aren't equipped to accommodate SOLAS so you won't be able to visit them, but will be stuck at commercial ports.
Maybe someone else will be able to chime in on Med.-related problems.

Hi,

I must be missing something here.

Ken- What does SOLAS have to do with the marina you visit?

That's a good question which I'm not qualified to answer. My post is in reference to the same question which I am continually asked when booking dockage in the northeastern US.
Many of the marinas will not take a yacht over 500GT citing that they do not meet SOLAS requirements.
Since we are 334GT, I've never really worried too much about it; hopefully someone else will be able to shed some light on this.

Hi,

SOLAS is short for Safety of Life at Sea. There are not many if any yachts that fit into normal yacht marinas that would comply with more than 1 or 2 points off the SOLAS List.

What the Marinas might be trying to ask is if you are a commercially registered vessel over 500 GRT and operating ISM/ISPS onboard.

MARMOT would probably be a good one to give this an expanded answer as he seems to have some good knowledge in that end of the business.

Thanks for keeping me honest

Yachts that are over 500GT which are commercially registered need to be built to comply with SOLAS and also have to operate under the ISM and ISPS codes.

The reason for being put in a commercial dock is that many marinas are not ISPS compliant, therefore you are not allowed to berth there.

However, if the yacht is being registered as a private vessel then the above does not apply, the yacht does not operate under the ISM or ISPS codes, unless voluntarily, and therefore is not subject to the same restrictions when entering and berthing at a marina. Under the ISPS code though, you are not allowed to berth at a compliant marina if you are not ISPS compliant.

When the yacht is built, the resale value in the future will be much higher if she is built to class and complies with SOLAS, this will allow future owners to easily charter her.

Many yards will automatically assume that if the yacht is over 500GT then you will want her to comply with SOLAS.

Hope this helps.

Hi,

The above statement is not completely true and can easily cause anyone unfamiliar with the industry to be mislead and confused.

Some SOLAS elements come into play when over 500 tons but not all by any means.

That is true and I apologise, I should have clarified my reply by stating that the yacht must comply with the relevant SOLAS requirements.

Solas

Passenger ships - usually defined as a ship carrying more than 12 passengers - on international voyages must comply with all relevant IMO regulations, including those in the SOLAS and Load Lines Conventions.

This was taken from the IMO's page on passenger ships and as such takes passenger cabin count before gross tonnage. Many large yachts have passenger cabins for more than 12, but mysteriously these so called surplus "passengers" become nannies or personal staff and are manifested as part of the crew.

I'm a little confused as to the original posters boss looking for a new boat over 500 ton. The usual requests fall into the on-board capability/ overall size and from that tonnage can be determined. A sharp NA can make quite a large yacht still fall under 500 tons due to the vagaries of the ad-measurement systems.

Hi DavidG,

if the yacht is truly a private yacht, and not intended to be chartered (commercial use), it is not mandatory to comply with MCA or SOLAS regulations (as far as I know). It may make a huge difference in insurance payments though.

Most large yachts (even private ones), are built to comply with the regulations for charter yachts (MCA Large Yacht Code e.g.). If not for anything else, at least for a possible future resale, or for the increased safety level.

In the MCA code there is quite a big difference between sub-500 GT and over 500 GT. Mainly regarding structural fire protection (use of combustible materials), mandatory sprinklers etc. Also ISPS becomes mandatory (security regulations).
Nonetheless, it is perfectly doable to build a yacht over 500 GT and yards are building them all the time (Lurssen, Feadship, Amels, Oceanco, ...)

It's a lot worse to go over the 12-passenger treshold than over the 500 GT, because over 12 passengers, you exit MCA-code and enter SOLAS grounds (small passenger ship).
At 55 m, it'll be tough to stay under 500 GT, unless the design is very sleek (narrrow beam and low profile). Also keep in mind that many boats grow a few metres during the design process.

Good luck with your project,

Bruno

BTW- Did you ever get a chance to start and/or finish your license upgrade? Rules are rapidly changing again.