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Legislation and Caribbean codes

Seagoing vessels which operate around the Caribbean islands are subject to, among other things, the international treaties drawn up by the IMO such as Load Line, SOLAS and MarPol. The IMO is the UN’s maritime body which is responsible for member state agreements on international shipping.

Two international codes have been drafted for the Caribbean trade area for vessels with dimensions which fall outside the international conventions. These are:

  1. The SCV code: This code applies to passenger and cargo ships which are between 5 and 24 metres long.
  2. The CCSS code: The CCSS code is applicable to cargo ships which are more than 24 metres long and have a gross tonnage of less than 500.

Code of Safety for Small Commercial Vessels (SCV Code)

Code of Safety for Small Commercial Vessels operating in the Carribean 2021 (SCV-Code) - Netherlands Regulatory Framework (NeRF) – Maritime

The SCV code is applicable to ships measuring between 5 and 24 metres long which operate in the Caribbean trading area. The code was drafted in collaboration with the member states which signed up to the Caribbean Memorandum of Understanding (CMOU) and is registered with the IMO. The code contains descriptions of the technical and crew-related requirements.

Code of Safety for Caribbean Cargo Ships (CCSS code)

CCSS Code - CODE OF SAFETY FOR CARIBBEAN CARGO SHIPS (Cargo Ships less than 500 Gross Tonnage) - 2020 - Netherlands Regulatory Framework (NeRF) – Maritime

The SCV code is applicable to ships measuring between 5 and 24 metres long which operate in the Caribbean trading area. The code was drafted in collaboration with the member states which signed up to the Caribbean Memorandum of Understanding (CMOU) and is registered with the IMO. The code contains descriptions of the technical and crew-related requirements.

Requirements of the SCV and CCSS code

  • Possession of a registration card issued by the harbourmaster on behalf of the public entity (if registered on the BES islands).
  • Possession of a commercial shipping licence issued by the harbourmaster on behalf of the public entity (if registered on the BES islands).
  • A certificate of registry issued by the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate.
  • A national safety certificate as described in the SCV code or CCS code issued by, or on behalf of, the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate.

Only for vessels subject to the CCSS code:

  • A certificate which they can use to demonstrate that they comply with the rules of a classification society which is recognised by the Netherlands. The inspections and certificates for these ships are arranged and issued by the classification societies.
  • A tonnage certificate, an international load line certificate and other certificates depending on the ship’s dimensions issued by the classification society on behalf of the Netherlands.
  • A manning certificate issued by the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate.

Dutch maritime legislation can be found on the website of the Netherlands Regulatory Framework (NeRF).