Yacht Protect Services becomes first company to achieve MGN 580 status

Yacht fire and safety expert Yacht Protect Services has become the first company to achieve MGN 580 status after the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) upgraded the code after an 18-month consultation period.

The change in code comes seven years after the successful launch of the MGN 453 in 2013.

Implementation of MGN 580 was from the beginning of March 2020, after which MGN 453 certificates were invalid.

The key differences in the new code lie within the testing protocol where all textiles are tested to a higher performance requirement than previously. This includes carpet and floor coverings requiring both flammability and the stringent life-saving toxicity test.

Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, Yacht Protect Services is able to provide the new MGN 580-accredited service to clients’ yachts in the key chartering areas due to its unique team of partners throughout Europe and the USA.

Terry Pooley, co-owner, said, “We are finding it extremely challenging to handle the surge of enquiries now that COVID is freeing up in many areas, even though we have this excellent team of local partners. We are strongly advising all our clients to confirm their needs at the earliest opportunity to ensure availability when it suits them.”

For more information, visit Yacht Protect Services. Sign up to our newsletter to get the best of Yachting Pages delivered direct to your inbox every month.