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.
Executive agency of DfT. Headquarters in Southampton. 24-hour Coastguard Operations Centres around UK coast.
Contact MCA
- infoline@mcga.gov.uk
- Phone
- 0203 817 2000
Official guidance from MCA
Curated guidance documents to help you understand your obligations.
MCA: domestic passenger ships and categorised waters (opens in a new tab)
Detailed Guidance
GOV.UK: registering a fishing vessel (opens in a new tab)
Detailed Guidance
Seafarer medical certification (ENG1) (opens in a new tab)
Detailed Guidance
Small fishing vessel safety code (opens in a new tab)
Publication
International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) (opens in a new tab)
Other
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), 1973/78 (opens in a new tab)
Detailed Guidance
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974 (opens in a new tab)
Other
International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 (as amended by 1988 Protocol) (opens in a new tab)
Detailed Guidance
View all 251 guidance documents (opens in a new tab)
Legal framework
Legislation that MCA directly enforces.
Primary legislation
Secondary legislation
… and 198 more statutory instruments.
Related legislation
Legislation connected to MCA’s remit but not directly enforced — establishing Acts, amendments, referenced legislation, and context.