Super yachts over 500gt are now allowed to carry more than 12 passengers without the need to comply with SOLAS or the Passenger Yacht Code.
Super yachts over 500gt are now allowed to carry more than 12 passengers without the need to comply with the International Convention for the Safety of the Life at Sea (SOLAS) or the Passenger Yacht Code.
The new guidelines issued by Transport Malta affect super yachts that may carry more than 12 passengers, provided that the appropriate safety and security measures have been implemented on board.
Previously, private yachts registered under the Maltese Flag were unable to carry more than 12 guests unless they had been built according to such regulations and having been. To be able to benefit from these new guidelines, a super yacht has to measure over 24 metres, not navigate beyond 150 nautical miles from safe haven, be in class and in possession of the necessary stability booklet. Moreover the vessel must be compliant with the Maltese Commercial Yacht Code, comply with all applicable international conventions, carry appropriate safety equipment depending on the expected persons on board and have a crew compliment in line with the Commercial Yacht Code.
The guidelines aim at establishing innovations related to the sector of private yachting that provide for captains, managers, designers, builders and service providers to make the most of flagging developments.
It is fundamental to note that these guidelines are applicable to super yachts which fall just below the 500gt limit established by conventions (Yachts of 499gt and similar sizes).
