MCA Coding · Palma
MCA Coding Survey Palma
UK-flagged charter yachts based in Palma de Mallorca and the wider Balearics coded to the MCA Small Commercial Vessel (SPV) Code by a Certifying Authority Examiner — examination, documentation and certification handled end-to-end.
What this service involves
Palma de Mallorca is the largest charter yacht hub in the western Mediterranean — home to STP Shipyard, Astilleros de Mallorca, Club de Mar and the Real Club Náutico de Palma, and the operating base for hundreds of UK and Red Ensign flagged charter yachts. For UK-flagged vessels carrying paying guests, MCA coding is not optional; the certificate is what makes the charter legal, insurable and acceptable to brokers.
SVG Marine attends Palma and the wider Balearics as a Certifying Authority Examiner through IIMS. That means the coding examination, structural and stability documentation review, and the certification pack submission to the Certifying Authority are all handled directly — there is no second surveyor to coordinate and no split fee.
The coding examination assesses the vessel against the Small Commercial Vessel (SPV) Code: hull and structure, machinery installation, stability, fire protection, life-saving appliances, navigation equipment, ground tackle and the operational documentation on board. The certificate issued at the end of the process specifies the area category (Category 0 to 6) and the maximum number of persons on board.
For Palma-based operators the practical advantage is timing — coding visits are normally combined with a STP or Astilleros lift for the underwater inspection and antifoul, so examination, paperwork and yard work happen in the same window rather than the vessel being out of revenue twice.
Where we work
Coding visits to Palma are usually scheduled in trips that combine multiple yachts. Mobilisation onwards to Ibiza, Menorca, Barcelona, Valencia and the Costa del Sol can normally be added without duplicating travel cost.
- Palma Quay
- Club de Mar
- STP Shipyard Palma
- Astilleros de Mallorca
- Marina Port de Mallorca
- Real Club Náutico de Palma
- Calanova
- Puerto Portals
- Andratx
- Pollensa
- Mahón (Menorca)
- Ibiza
Recent projects
A selection of recent assignments — vessel and client details anonymised where required by our duty of confidentiality to owners, insurers and buyers.
55ft sailing yacht — STP Palma
Initial MCA coding combined with STP lift for antifoul and underwater inspection. Certificate issued ahead of the summer charter programme.
78ft motor yacht — Club de Mar
Re-coding examination for a Red Ensign Cayman-flagged motor yacht moving to MCA coding ahead of UK ownership transfer.
60ft catamaran — Puerto Portals
Initial coding for a day-charter catamaran. Stability documentation prepared and SOLAS V navigation safety pack reviewed.
48ft sailing yacht — Pollensa
Intermediate examination on a privately-owned, occasionally chartered yacht. Documentation refreshed and rig inspection signed off.
65ft motor yacht — Ibiza
Coding examination scheduled around a tight charter calendar — examination, reporting and certification turned around in twelve days.
44ft catamaran — Mahón
Re-coding examination for a UK-flagged catamaran working the Menorca and Mallorca cabin-charter market.
Frequently asked questions
Can a yacht in Palma be MCA coded?
Yes. UK-flagged yachts and yachts under Red Ensign Group flags can be MCA coded anywhere in the world. SVG Marine attends Palma, Mallorca and the wider Balearics to carry out coding examinations on charter and privately operated commercial yachts.
Which Palma marinas and yards do you cover?
Palma Quay, Club de Mar, STP Shipyard Palma, Marina Port de Mallorca, Real Club Náutico de Palma, Astilleros de Mallorca, and surrounding yards in Calanova, Andratx, Puerto Portals, Pollensa and Mahón (Menorca) and Ibiza on request.
Do I need MCA coding if my yacht charters from the Balearics?
If the vessel is UK-flagged, yes — an MCA coding certificate is the basis on which charter brokers, insurers and Spanish maritime authorities accept the yacht's commercial status. Other Red Ensign flags (Cayman, BVI, Isle of Man) have equivalent commercial codes.
How long does the coding examination take?
A typical examination is a full day on board, often combined with a short haul-out at STP or another local yard for the underwater inspection. Allow two to six weeks from first attendance to issued certificate.
Can you combine coding with a pre-purchase or insurance survey?
Yes — and many buyers do. A combined attendance saves mobilisation cost and gives the buyer one set of reports for the lender, the insurer and the Certifying Authority.
What if remedial items are needed?
You receive a clear written list of any remedial items, with each item categorised as critical, condition or recommendation. Closing items can usually be evidenced photographically for minor work; re-attendance is scheduled where genuinely required.
What's the renewal cycle?
Annual owner or operator self-inspection, an intermediate examination by the Certifying Authority Examiner part-way through the certificate's life, and a full re-coding examination every five years.
Do you cover yachts based in Ibiza, Menorca or other Balearic islands?
Yes. Mobilisation from Palma to Ibiza, Menorca or Formentera is straightforward, and we will typically combine examinations across the Balearics into one trip where the timing aligns.
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