Question 1

A large yacht has a helicopter landing area (helideck or winching area) for guest transfer. What does the REG Yacht Code's common annex on helicopter landing areas primarily address?

Accepted Answer

Structural and operational standards for the landing/winching area (e.g. clearance, fire-fighting readiness, lighting, deck marking, and procedures) to ensure helicopter operations can be conducted safely, recognising this is a specialised, high-consequence activity if not properly controlled Helicopter operations introduce a distinct, high-consequence hazard set (rotor wash, fire risk from refuelling, structural loading, downwash effects on the vessel) that requires dedicated standards — exactly the kind of specialised activity that, like overside water activities, justifies a common annex rather than being left to general deck safety provisions.

Question 2

What is the Red Ensign Group (REG) Yacht Code, and which two previous codes did it replace when it came into force on 1 January 2019?

Accepted Answer

A single combined code replacing the Large Yacht Code (LY3) and the Passenger Yacht Code (PYC), now issued as MSN 1895 (M) with REG Part A and Part B respectively The REG Yacht Code consolidated two previously separate codes (LY3 for large yachts generally, PYC for those carrying fare-paying passengers) into one document with two parts, simplifying the regulatory landscape while preserving the distinct requirements each previously covered.

Question 3

To which vessels does REG Yacht Code Part A apply?

Accepted Answer

Yachts of 24 metres load line length and over, in commercial use for sport or pleasure, that do not carry cargo and carry no more than 12 passengers The 24m length threshold, sport-or-pleasure commercial use, no-cargo, and 12-passenger limits together define the specific category of vessel REG Part A is written for — a yacht falling outside any of these criteria needs a different regulatory pathway (e.g. REG Part B for higher passenger numbers, or the Small Commercial Vessel Code / Sport and Pleasure Vessel Code for vessels under 24m).