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MCA Proposal for Reclassification of Lapsed Class Vessels
16-11-2014

The British Maritime Heritage Trust (MHT) is working to safeguard affected vessels so that a new passenger certificate can be obtained. Essentially, this was the issue facing paddle steamer Waverley in 1997 when applying for a major rebuild. Negotiation between Heritage Afloat, MCA and the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society secured a happy outcome on that occasion. MHT shares concerns MCA may hold regarding owners of ‘old boats’ jumping on this bandwagon to simplify compliance. Other issues apply though. Operators of more modern vessels may resist favourable terms being offered to operators of historic craft as they could see this as giving them financial advantage. Defining ‘Historic Vessel’ could assist but the subject has been discussed by over many years without any concensus being reached. A solution could be for any such vessel to have to be on the National Register of Historic Vessels, operated by National Historic Ships UK. Discussion is on-going on this point.







The Maritime Heritage Trust