P S Medway Queen

[billsea]

Whats the reason for the P S Medway Queen to be only allowed to carry 12 passengers

[tramscape]

If she ever gets operational and tries to apply for a passenger certificate, all indications are that her design and construction method would not allow her to qualify for a commercial passenger certificate

The rules for qualification for a certificate for up to 12 passengers are completely different and less onerous .........

It is useful for certain heritage ships like steam tugs and such like though where large customer numbers are not needed - and where their range of operation would be limited, maybe to just Class C waters as a maximum

Monarch, for example, is limited to 12 I believe

[billsea]

They could get round it by signing so many passengers on has crew

[tramscape]

They could get round it by signing so many passengers on has crew

I think crew are exempted (so long as they are genuine crew - and maybe all have to have to have the necessary qualifications to be classed as such)

It doesn't get round the fact that she won't be able to operate commercially

[kylemore]

I think crew are exempted (so long as they are genuine crew - and maybe all have to have to have the necessary qualifications to be classed as such)

It doesn't get round the fact that she won't be able to operate commercially

Would the 12 maximum apply if the passengers were non-paying and she essentially operated as a private yacht?

[tramscape]

Would the 12 maximum apply if the passengers were non-paying and she essentially operated as a private yacht?

I guess not ..... but I presume abuses would be soon apparent

It throws up a number of potential "dodges" doesn't it. Free trips for "members" etc etc

[billsea]

I guess not ..... but I presume abuses would be soon apparent

It throws up a number of potential "dodges" doesn't it. Free trips for "members" etc etc

What if they just take donations

[tramscape]

What if they just take donations

It would be regarded as a payment I would have thought. It's not like finding a tax loophole - it's a matter of safety !

I have just read that vessels with more than 12 aboard are deemed to be "passenger ships" requiring the appropriate certification

[sealegs]

I guess not ..... but I presume abuses would be soon apparent

It throws up a number of potential "dodges" doesn't it. Free trips for "members" etc etc

Free trips for members - if allowed - would still mean she couldn't earn anything towards her running costs.

However there is also a matter of insurance cover and it is difficult to imagine an insurance company being willing to cover anything that is less than legal. e.g if you don't tax your car it will invalidate your insurance. The last thing any port wants is an uninsured ship causing them trouble.