Class Notations for Yachts
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Clasifications Register Guidance Information - Lloyd’s Register’s approach to Class Notations and Descriptive Notes for Yachts, January 2017 - Lloyd’s Register’s approach to Class Notations and Descriptive Notes for Yachts - Class Notations for Yachts

Class Notations for Yachts

SSC Rules Class Notation: +100A1 SSC Yacht

The notation is described in Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Special Service Craft, July 2022, Pt 1, Ch 2, 2.2 Definitions 2.2.33 as:
  • “A yacht is a recreational craft used for sport or pleasure and may be propelled mechanically, by sail or by a combination of both.”
The notation +100A1 SSC Yacht is used for yachts intended for commercial service and, as a result, includes requirements for stability and fire protection. Requirements are commensurate with SOLAS - International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea regulations for passenger ships carrying not more than 36 passengers and Statutory Requirements referred to in the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Special Service Craft, July 2022.

There is no explicit Commercial Yacht notation in the LR Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Special Service Craft, July 2022.

The number of passengers is not a criterion for the assignment of the class notation Yacht.

The Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Special Service Craft, July 2022 cover all sorts of vessels up to 150 m in Rule length, built of steel, aluminium or composite material, any hull form configuration and any operation type with the exception of WIGs in airborne mode and submarines in fully submerged mode.

The Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Special Service Craft, July 2022 have provisions for restricted service which are based on the distance to a place of refuge, but may be subject to interpretation as outlined in the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Special Service Craft, July 2022, Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.5 Service area restriction notations 3.5.6.

The +100A1 SSC Yacht notation is a default class notation that, from a Class point of view, would cater for any yacht with any number of passengers.

Yachts with a load line length of 24 m and above must demonstrate that the intact stability complies with the minimum requirement set out by the MCA Large Commercial Yacht (LY3) Code as amended before it can be assigned the Yacht service type notation. For the service type notation Yacht(S), intact and damage stability compliance with LY3 or an equivalent code must be demonstrated. It is up to the Flag Administration to set the relevant codes.

Depending on the number of passengers and the intended service, classification to one of the below class notations may be better suited.

SSC Rules Class Notation: +100A1 SSC Passenger Yacht

The notation is described in Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Special Service Craft, July 2022, Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.6 Service type notations 3.6.2 as:
  • “This notation will be assigned on request to yachts which are built in accordance with the applicable requirements of these Rules and requirements set in Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.1 General 1.1.14.”
A yacht can only be assigned the service notation Passenger Yacht when it complies with the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Special Service Craft, July 2022, as set out in Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.1 General 1.1.14:
  1. Pt 5 Main and Auxiliary Machinery Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022 as applicable to passenger ships;
  2. Pt 6 Control, Electrical, Refrigeration and Fire of the Clasifications Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022 as applicable to passenger ships; and
  3. Construction requirements in accordance with Administration requirements for passenger yachts with due regard to applicable conventions given in Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.1 General 1.1.11, as determined in accordance with The Red Ensign Group Code of Practice for Yachts Carrying 13 to 36 Passengers (Passenger Yacht Code) as amended or an alternative Administration Code deemed acceptable by LR.

In point (c) there is reference to the Passenger Yacht Code (PYC), but it is made clear that other codes may also make use of the Passenger Yacht service notation.

This notation can be used whenever the Flag State requires a class notation with specific confirmation that the statutory requirements for engineering and electrical systems for passenger ships are complied with.

The "+100A1 SSC Passenger Yacht" notation is recommended for yachts built under the PYC, i.e. yachts carrying more than 12 but not more than 36 passengers on board.

Ship Rules Class Notation: +100A1 Passenger Yacht

According to the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022 ,Pt 4, Ch 2, 1.1 Application 1.1.1:
  • “A passenger yacht is defined as a yacht that is specially designed and constructed in accordance with Administration requirements for passenger yachts with due regard to the applicability of the conventions as given in Pt 1, Ch 2, 1.1 General 1.1.9, as determined in accordance with the Red Ensign Group Code of Practice for Yachts Carrying 13 to 36 Passengers (Passenger Yacht Code) as amended or an alternative administration code deemed acceptable by LR.”
This +100A1 Passenger Yacht notation was introduced specifically for alignment with the PYC. After the introduction, the notation was also made available when applying other administration codes.
Note The first PYC yachts that went into construction were of a size and build type not unlike traditional small passenger ships. The PYC certificate is essentially a passenger ship certificate. The Rules for Ships are therefore the most appropriate Rule-set; however, being part of Ship Rules, this notation can cover only yachts that are within the realm of the Rules for Ships, that is:
  • Mono-hull construction.
  • Displacement type vessel.
  • Steel construction with, optionally, aluminium superstructure.
  • Engines as prime means of propulsion.
Consequently, the class notation +100A1 Passenger Yacht would be a recommendable choice for yachts which are:
  • Within the given parameters for type, operation and construction.
  • Built to comply with the PYC or an equivalent code acceptable to LR.
Note The choice between +100A1 Passenger Yacht or +100 A1 SSC Passenger Yacht may be driven by the preference or the experience of the builder or designer, with the application of the Rules for Ships or when an existing design is reused with more or fewer guest cabins.

The +100A1 Passenger Yacht notation is recommended for yachts built under the PYC or an alternative administration code that specifies more than 12 but not more than 36 passengers on board, that are of conventional configuration and where the Flag State requires the use of the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022.

Parent topic: Lloyd’s Register’s approach to Class Notations and Descriptive Notes for Yachts
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