Regulator Profile

MCA

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Enforcement Regulator

4

Areas of regulation

16

Laws enforced

UK-wide

Quick links

Visit official website Email MCA Call 0203 817 2000

Maritime Safety Pollution Prevention Seafarer Certification Ship Registration

What MCA does

Maritime safety regulator responsible for implementing UK and international maritime law. Provides 24-hour search and rescue coordination. Issues certifications for ships and seafarers. Enforces ship safety, security, pollution prevention, and seafarer welfare standards. Operates UK Ship Register and HM Coastguard.

Additional information

Executive agency of DfT. Headquarters in Southampton. 24-hour Coastguard Operations Centres around UK coast.

Legal framework

Legislation that MCA enforces.

Primary legislation

• Civil Aviation Act 2012 Act 2012
• Aviation Security Act 1982 Act 1982
• Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1992 Act 1992
• Harbours Act 1964 Act 1964
• Maritime Security Act 1990 Act 1990
• Merchant Shipping Act 1995 Act 1995

Secondary legislation

• Air Navigation Order 2016 UK Statutory Instrument 2016
• Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 UK Statutory Instrument 2009
• Merchant Shipping (ISM Code) Regulations 2014 UK Statutory Instrument 2014
• Merchant Shipping (Load Line) Regulations 1998 UK Statutory Instrument 1998
• Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Regulations 2022 UK Statutory Instrument 2022
• Merchant Shipping (STCW) Regulations 2022 UK Statutory Instrument 2022
• Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998 UK Statutory Instrument 1998
• Ship Security Regulations 2004 UK Statutory Instrument 2004
• The Housing and Planning Act 2016 (Commencement No. 10 and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2019 UK Statutory Instrument 2019
• The River Humber (Upper Burcom Cooling Works) Order 1994 UK Statutory Instrument 1994

Sectors regulated

Maritime