Regulator Profile

MCA

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Enforcement Regulator

4

Areas of regulation

36

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

• Maritime Security Act 1990 Act 1990
• Merchant Shipping Act 1995 Act 1995
• Merchant Shipping and Maritime Security Act 1997 Act 1997
• Coastguard Act 1925 Act

Secondary legislation

• The Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Regulations 1993 UK Statutory Instrument 1993
• The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) Regulations 1997 UK Statutory Instrument 1997
• Merchant Shipping (Load Line) Regulations 1998 UK Statutory Instrument 1998
• The Merchant Shipping (Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure) Regulations 1998 UK Statutory Instrument 1998
• The Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Cargoes) Regulations 1999 UK Statutory Instrument 1999
• The Merchant Shipping (Load Line) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 UK Statutory Instrument 2000
• Ship Security Regulations 2004 UK Statutory Instrument 2004
• UKSI 2007/3077 UK Statutory Instrument 2007
• The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) Regulations 2008 UK Statutory Instrument 2008
• The Port Security Regulations 2009 UK Statutory Instrument 2009
• ... and 22 more statutory instruments

Sectors regulated

Maritime