Lloyd's Register Statutory Alert: LY3 Entry Into Force

The third edition of the Large Commercial Yacht Code (LY3) entered into force on August 20, 2013, when the ILO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006) was introduced.

LY3 applies to yachts which are 24 meters and over in load line length, are in commercial use for sport or pleasure, do not carry cargo and do not carry more than 12 passengers.

For the most part, the Code applies to new yachts constructed (having their keels laid) on or after August 20, 2013. However, there are some retrospective requirements for existing yachts surveyed against the previous versions of the Code – LY1 and LY2. These yachts must now comply with the LY3 requirements for: lifejackets, radio equipment, long-range identification and tracking (LRIT), bridge navigational watch alarm systems (BNWAS), and some operational aspects such as manning, personnel certification and crew agreements.

These retrospective requirements are detailed in section 3.3.3.4 of the Code, which can be downloaded in full here. Under the conditions of LY3, they should be complied with by August 20, 2013 or, failing that, within a time scale agreed with the vessel’s flag administration.

For all other items, existing yachts will continue to be surveyed against the LY1 or LY2 requirements.

What should owners and operators do now?
Owners and operators of existing yachts which are surveyed under the requirements of the Large Commercial Yacht Code should bring this information to the attention of their relevant employees and parties, and take any necessary action.