MCA fees increase will bring extra investment for services
The MCA (Maritime & Coastguard Agency) is to increase the fees it charges for services offered.
From 13 November 2018, the MCA will increase most of its fees across the whole of the UK.
Seeking to gain the flexibility to invest further in the services it provides to the maritime sector the agency is quick to point out that this is the first time in ten years that fees have been increased
The fee increases have been carefully planned, with a public consultation carried out in 2016, so industry and all those affected have been involved every step of the way.
As a result of this active consultation with industry, it was agreed to introduce some fees in stages to reduce the impact on both businesses and individuals.
Consideration was also given to the impact on small-scale operators. The survey fee increase should only affect 11% of fishing vessels – about 600 – as only those 15 metres in length or over need to be surveyed.
MCA fee increases in detail
The phased increase in fees will cover fees to survey a vessel and the seafarer medical examination fee.
The hourly vessel survey rate will increase in two stages:
- from the current £94 per hour to £120 per hour in November 2018;
- from £120 to £147 per hour in November 2019.
The Seafarer Medical Examination Fee will increase in three stages from £80 to £115. The increases will be from £80 to £95 (November 2018), £95 to £105 (November 2019) and £105 to £115 (November 2020).
All other fees will increase in a single increment from 13 November.
Full information about the MCA’s fees increases can be found on the MCA fees page on www.gov.uk.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is responsible for maritime regulation, safety and counter-pollution. It acts as a frontline emergency response agency of the Department for Transport. As well as delivering maritime search and rescue through HM Coastguard.