Marine Guidance Notes
The following Marine Guidance Notes (MGNs) are specifically related to technical information for ships. Click on document number to view each document. Please note, some documents have subsequent amending documents, please click on each link separately.
Click here for the entire list of Marine Guidance Notes.
| Fishing Vessels in submarine exercise areas | |
| MGN 20 (M+F) | Implementation of EC Directive 89/391: Merchant Shipping & Fishing Vessels (Health & Safety at Work) Regulations 1997 |
| MGN 21 (M) | Ro-Ro Ships - The Carriage of Dangerous Goods in Ships with Ro-Ro Cargo Spaces |
| MGN 32 (M) | Amendments to the “Survey of Life-Saving Appliances Volume 1, Instructions for the guidance of surveyors testing of life-saving appliances”, resulting from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch report on the “Pride of Hampshire" |
| MGN 33 (M+F) | Sewage systems on ships: associated hazards, installation and maintenance |
| MGN 34 (M+F) | Lifeboat Engines and other Compression Ignition Engines used in an EmergencyLifejackets carried on Passenger Ships |
| MGN 35 (M+F) | Accidents when using Power Operated Watertight Doors |
| MGN 36 (M) | Document of Compliance for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods in Package or Dry Bulk Form |
| MGN 37 (M) | Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants) Regulations 1997 |
| MGN 38 (M+F) as amended | Contamination of Ships' Air Conditioning Systems by Legionella Bacteria |
| MGN 52 (M+F) | Testing of Emergency Sources of Electrical Power |
| MGN 59 (M) | Special Requirements for Transport of Heated Liquids & Powdery or Granulated Materials in Portable Tanks |
| MGN 60 (M) | Code of Safe Practive for Solid Bulk Cargoes (BC Code): 1996 Amendment. Carriage of Coal Cargoes |
| MGN 71 (M) | Musters, drills, on-board training and instructions, and Decision Support Systems |
| MGN 76 (M) | Lifejackets carried on Passenger Ships |
| MGN 77 (M+F) & Amendment 1 | Instructions for Action in Survival Craft |
| MGN 78 (M+F) | Launching Crews for Lifeboats, Rescue Boats, Class C Boats, Inflatable Boats and Other boats |
| MGN 79 (M+F) | Safety Equipment and Pollution Prevention Equipment Carried in Excess of Statutory Requirements |
| MGN 81 (M+F) | Guidelines for the Control and Managment of Ships' Ballast Water to Minimise the Transfer of Harmful Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens |
| MGN 83 (M) & Amendment 1 | Guidelines and Specifications for Hyperbaric Evacuation Systems |
| MGN 86 (M) | Recommendations on the Safe Use of Pesticides in Ships |
| MGN 90 (M+F) | Implementation of EC Directive 90/269/EC Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Manual Handling Operations) Regulations 1998 |
| MGN 105 (M+F) | Use and Fitting of Retro-Reflective Material on Life-Saving Appliances |
| MGN 106 (M) | Natural & Synthetic Fibre Cordage for Lifesaving Appliances |
| MGN 107 (M) | Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Cargoes) Regulations 1999 |
| MGN 108 (M) | Hull Stress Monitoring Systems |
| MGN 127 (M+F) | Means of Recovering Casualties from the Sea When Involved in Ship to Ship Personnel Transfers |
| MGN 132 (M+F) | Electrical Equipment, Maintenance and Incidents |
| MGN 137 (M+F) | Look-out During Periods of Darkness and Restricted Visibility |
| MGN 141 (M) | Equivalent Arrangements for the Carriage of Man-Overboard Smoke Signals and Parachute Flares on Certain Class VI Passenger Vessels |
| MGN 142 (M+F) | MARPOL 73/78 - ANNEX VI: Control of Emission of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) from Marine Diesel Engines |
| MGN 144 (M) | The Merchant Shipping (Additional safety Measures for Bulk Carriers) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999/1644) |
| MGN 145 (M) | Unsafe Shipments of Gas Cylinders in Freight Containers |
| MGN 146 (M) | The Carriage of Package Cargo and Cargo Units |
| MGN 153 (M+F) | Complinace with Mandatory Ship Reporting Systems |
| MGN 157 (M) | Safety of Personnel During Container Securing Operations and while Working at Corrugated Bulkheads in General Cargo Ships |
| MGN 158 (M) | Safety Management Code For Domestic Passenger Ships of Classes III – VI (A) |
| MGN 165 (M) | Fishing vessels - the risk of flooding |
| MGN 168 (M+F) | The Marking of Seismic Streamers |
| MGN 171 (M) | Mandatory Surveys for Ro-Ro and High Speed Passenger Craft |
| MGN 176 (M) | Merchant Shipping (Live Saving Appliances) (Amendment) Regulations 2001 |
| MGN 177 (M+F) | Accidents Involving Electrical Test Equipment |
| MGN 178 (M+F) | Market Surveillance of Marine Equipment |
| MGN 189 (F) | Fishing vessels - Escape routes |
| MGN 190 (F) | Fishing vessels - Premature failure of Copper Pipes in Engine Room Cooling Water Systems |
| MGN 191 (M+F) | Use of Halon for Fire Extinguishing on Board Ships |
| MGN 197 (M+F) | Implementation of Council Directive 96/29 EURATOM |
| MGN 198 (M) | Safety at Solid Bulk Cargo Terminals |
| MGN 199 (M) | Dangers of Interaction |
| MGN 210 (M) | Advice on the Dangers of flooding Forward Compartments |
| MGN 215 (M+F) | New Carriage Requirements for Emergency Escape Breathing Devices |
| MGN 217 (M) | In-Water Surveys |
| MGN 218 (M) | Thames Safety Inquiry Recommendation 27.2 Standards for New and Existing Ships |
| MGN 223 (M) | Carriage of Coconut Oil and Other Vegetable Oils as Cargo in Tanks |
| MGN 224 (F) | Guidance to Operators on the Code of Safe Working Practice for the Construction and Use of 15m length overall (LOA) to Less than 24m registered length (L) Fishing Vessels |
| MGN 231 (M+F) | Shipboard Pollution Emergency Plans: Guidance on their Development and Approval |
| MGN 238 (M+F) | Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) and Port Information in the United Kingdom |
| MGN 239 (M+F) | Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) and Port Information, Responsibilities of the UK Competent Authority, Statutory Harbour Authorities and VTS Authorities |
| MGN 240 (M+F) | Assessment of the need for Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) or Port Information |
| MGN 242 (M+F) | Standard Format and Procedures for Ship Reporting, Including Reporting Incidents Involving Dangerous Goods, Marine Pollutants, Other Harmful Substances or Safety |
| MGN 245 (M) | Inspectionof Shell Loading Doors on Ro-Ro Ferries |
| MGN 248 (M) | Safety Preparations Prior to Machinery Maintenance |
| MGN 254 (M+F) | Guidance to Users of Inflatable Lifejackets |
| MGN 258 (M+F) | Decommissioning of Halon Systems |
| MGN 265 (F) | Fishing Vessels: The Hazards Associated with Trawling, Including Beam Trawling and Scallop Dredging |
| MGN 266 (F) | Guidance on the Interpretation of SOLAS Chapter Five for Fishing Vessels |
| MGN 267 (F) | Location and Stowage of Liferafts and Emergency Positioning Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) on UK Registered Fishing Vessels |
| MGN 271 (M) | The Protection of Windows and Side Scuttles of Passenger Ships by Deadlights and Storm Covers |
| MGN 272 (M) | Voyage Data Recorder's (VDRS) - Performance Testing |
| MGN 273 (M) | Operational Issues relating to Marine Evacuation Systems |
| MGN 276 (M+F) | Fire Protection - Maintenance of Portable Fire Extinguishers |
| MGN 280 (M) | Small Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure, Workboats and Pilot Boats – Alternative Construction Standards |
| MGN 281 (F) & Annex 1 | Fishing Vessels Freeboard and Stability Information Booklet - Recommended Format |
| MGN 282 (M) | Dangerous Goods - Guidance in the Carriage of Packages Dangerous Goods on Offshore Supply Vessels |
| MGN 283 (M) | Dangerous Goods - Guidance on the Back Loading of Contaminated Bulk Liquids from Offshore Installations to Offshore Supply/Support Vessels |
| MGN 284 (M+F) | Recommendations for Ships Carrying Fumigated Bulk Carriers |
| MGN 285 (M+F) | Electronic Charts - The Use of Risk Assessment Methodology When Operating ECDIS in the RASTER Chart Display System |
| MGN 287 (M+F) | Disposal Of Out of Date Pyrotechnics |
| MGN 291 (F) | Fire Detection and Alarm Systems on Fishing Vessels |
| MGN 293 (M+F) | Alternative Arrangements for Meeting Paper Chart Carriage Requirements on MCA Code Vessels Under 24 Metres in Length and Fishing Vessels Under 24 Metres in Length |
| MGN 294 (M+F) | Use of GMDSS Equipment in General Communications |
| MGN 297 (M) | The Carriage of Defibrillators on Ships |
| MGN 299 (M+F) | Interference with Safe Navigation Through Inappropriate Use of Mobile Phones |
| MGN 301 (M+F) | Manoeuvring Information on Board Ships |
| MGN 304 (M+F) | Shore-to-Ship Communications During a Distress |
| MGN 305 (M+F) | Maritime Safety and the Barring of INMARSAT Ship Earth Station Procedures |
| MGN 306 (M) | Designing and Operating Smaller Passenger Vessels: Guidance on Meeting the Needs of Persons with Reduced Mobility |
| MGN 308 (M+F) | Mooring, Towing Or Hauling Equipment On All Vessels - Safe Installation And Safe Operation |
| MGN 309 (F) | Fishing Vessels – The Dangers of Enclosed Spaces |
| MGN 310 (F) | Fishing Vessels: Risk of Fire and Explosion from Gas Welding and Burning |
| MGN 311 (F) | Working and Protective Gear for Fishermen |
| MGN 312 (F) | Use of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Diesel Fuelled Appliances on Fishing Vessels |
| MGN 313 (F) | Keeping a Safe Navigational Watch on Fishing Vessels |
| MGN 314 (F) | Wheelhouse visibility onboard Fishing Vessels |
| MGN 315 (M) | Keeping a Safe Navigational Watch on Merchant Vessels |
| MGN 316 (F) | Re-applying Paints, Varnishes and Other Finishes to Interior Surfaces |
| MGN 319 (M+F) | Acceptance of Electronic Chart Plotting Systems for Fishing Vessels Under 24 Metres and Small Vessels in Commercial Use (Code Boats) up to 24 Metres Load Line Length |
| MGN 321 (M) | AIS on Double-Ended Passenger Ferries |
| MGN 322 (M+F) | Ship Survey Standards |
| MGN 323 (M+F) | Explosives Picked Up at Sea |
| MGN 324 (M+F) & Correction | Radio: Operational Guidance on the Use of VHF Radio and Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) at Sea |
| MGN 325 (M) | Helicopter Assistance at Sea |
| MGN 327 (M) | Research Project 502: High-Speed Craft Dynamic Stability in Following & Quartering Seas - Design Guidance |
| MGN 328 (M) | Research Project 502: High-Speed Craft Dynamic Stability in Following & Quartering Seas - Operational Guidance |
| MGN 329 (M) | Lifejackets “Infant and Oversized Passengers" |
| MGN 330 (M+F) | Radio Aerial Lead-ins |
| MGN 331 (M+F) | Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Provision and Use Of Work Equipment) Regulations 2006 |
| MGN 332 (M+F) | Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment) Regulations 2006 |
| MGN 335 (M) | Bulk Carriers: Guidelines On Early Assessment Of Hull Damage And Need For Abandonment |
| MGN 337 (M+F) | Provision of Safe Means of Access to Fishing and Other Small Vessels |
| MGN 338 (M) | Fire at Sea: Risk Assessment for the Maritime Incident Response Group |
| MGN 340 (M) | International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code and Cargoes Carried in Cargo Transport Units |
| MGN 341 (M) | Ro-Ro Ships Vehicle Decks - Accidents to Personnel, Passenger Access and the Carriage of Motor Vehicles |
| MGN 342 (M) | Guidance on the Carriage of Dangerous Goods in Limited Quantities Intended for Retail Sale on UK Domestic Ferries |
| MGN 343 (M+F) | Hydrostatic Release Units (HRU) - Stowage and Float Free Arrangements for Inflatable Liferafts |
| MGN 344 (M) | Observations and Recommendations arising from a Series of Domestic Passenger Vessel Evacuation Exercises |
| MGN 345 (M) | Alternative Compliance Scheme |
| MGN 347 (M) | Carriage of Passengers Onboard for which Certificates State a Limiting Number of Passengers |
| MGN 348 (F) | Declaration of Maximum Continuous Engine Power (MCEP) |
| MGN 349 (M+F) | Carriage and Use of Radar Reflectors on Small Vessels |
| MGN 350 (M+F) | MCA Requirements for Companies Offering Shore-Based Maintenance of Radio |
| MGN 352 (M+F) | Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Control of Noise at Work) Regulations 2007 |
| MGN 353 (M+F) | Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Control of Vibration at Work) Regulations 2007 |
| MGN 354 (M+F) | Fishing and Small Vessels - Safe Operation of Fixed CO2 Gas Fire Extinguishing Systems |
| MGN 355 (M) | Periodic Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Fixed Bulk Dry Powder Fire Extinguishing Systems |
| MGN 356 (M+F) | Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) (Carcinogens and Mutagens) Regulations 2007 |
| MGN 357 (M+F) | Night-time Lookout - Photochromic Lenses and Dark Adaption |
| MGN 358 (M+F) | Consolidated European Reporting System (CERS) Reporting Requirements in Respect of :- Port Waste Infringements and Bulk Carrier Infringements |
| MGN 359 (M) | Guidance on the relevant edition of the BS 84 “Code of Practice for Installation of Electrical and Electronic Equipment in Ships” issued by the British Standards Institution, as applied to ships according to their date of build |
| MGN 360 (M+F) | Navigation: Implementation of Changes to Routeing Measures in Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) |
| MGN 361 (M+F) | GMDSS: Termination of the 121.5/243MHz Initial Emergency Alerting Service |
| MGN 362 (M+F) | Servicing of Inflatable Liferafts, Inflatable Boats, Rescue Boats, Fast Rescue Boats, Inflatable Lifejackets and Hydrostatic Release Units |
| MGN 363 (M+F) | The Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments |
| MGN 364 (M+F) | Navigation: Traffic Separation Schemes - Application of Rule 10 and Navigation in the Dover Strait |
| MGN 366 (M+F) | Off-Shore Pirate Broadcasting |
| MGN 367 (M) | Guidelines for the Approval of Fixed Fire Detention & Fire Alarm Systems for Cabin Balconies |
| MGN 368 (M) | Amendments to the Revised Guidelines for the Approval of Equivalent Water-Based Fire-Extinguishing Systems for Machinery Spaces & Cargo Pump-Rooms |
| MGN 369 (M+F) | Navigation: Navigation in Restricted Visibility |
| MGN 371 (M+F) | Offshore Renewable Energy Installations (OREIs) - Guidance on UK Navigational Practice, Safety and Emergency Response Issues |
| MGN 372 (M+F) | Offshore Renewable Energy Installations (OREIs): Guidance to Mariners Operating in the Vicinity of UK OREIs |
| MGN 374 (M+F) | Periodic Inspection & Testing of Seamless Steel Pressurised Gas Cylinders |
| MGN 375 (M+F) | Navigation: Maritime Safety Information (MSI) |
| MGN 378 (M+F) | Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Provision and Use of Work Equipment) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 and Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 |
| MGN 379 (M+F) | Navigastion: Use of Electronic Nagivation Aids |
| MGN 381 (M+F) | Survey and Certification Requirements for the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) Regulations 2008 |
| MGN 382 (M) | Fire Protection of Balconies & Other External Areas on Passenger Ships |
| MGN 383 (M+F) | US Clean Water Act |
| MGN 384 (M+F) | Training in the Maintenance of Electronic Navigational Equipment |
| MGN 385 (M+F) | Guidance on the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Sewage and Garbage from Ships) Regulations 2008 |
| MGN 386 (M+F) | Survey and Certification Requirements for the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) Regulations 2008 - Additional Guidance |
| MGN 387 (M+F) | Guidance on the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Port Waste Reception Facilities) Regulations 2003 and Amendments |
| MGN 388 (M+F) | Lifeboats: Fitting of 'Fall Preventer Devices' to reduce the danger of accidental on-load hook release |
| MGN 389 (M+F) | Operating Instructions and Signage for Fixed Gas Fire-Extinguishing Systems |
| MGN 390 (M) | Construction Standards for Offshore Support Vessels and Other Special Service Ships |
| MGN 392 (M+F) | Radio Survey Service: Authorisation |
| MGN 393 (M+F) | Navigation Light Units: Maintenance and the Use of New Technology Light Sources, such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), as Navigation Lights on SOLAS and non-SOLAS Vessels |
| MGN 394 (M+F) | Local Supplier of Fuel Oil Registration |