New HSPV Voluntary Code launched

The new Code of Practice is aimed at all owners, operators, managers, skippers and crew of small commercial high-speed craft and is the result of an in-depth, industry wide review of the original guidance, recommended by the Marine Investigation Accident Branch. It promotes common safe working practices for the industry by addressing where previous guidance and legislation failed to fully capture the specific features of small high-speed passenger craft operations.

Lesley Robinson, CEO of British Marine, commented: “British Marine represents numerous operators of high speed craft passenger rides and experiences working across the UK. I am delighted we can draw on their expertise and invaluable experience to create this greatly improved Code of Practice to assist all our operating members in delivering amazing on-water experiences while ensuring the appropriate high level of safety.”

Practical considerations

The new Code covers all practical considerations of passenger safety and comfort while engaged in high speed experience rides. This includes crew qualification requirements, crew to passenger ratio, weather limitation, passenger safety briefing, hazard perception and fleet operations.

For the first time, the Code of Practice also identifies the potential environmental impact of operations, raising awareness of the risks to the wildlife, vessel and passengers if the guidance is not followed.

By Rebecca Jeffrey