Engine Power

1. Introduction
1.1    From 10 January 2000, to register UK fishing vessels, a declaration of the maximum continuous or permanently de-rated engine power (MCEP) will be needed.

1.2    MCEP is the total power that can be obtained at the flywheel of each engine that can be used to propel the vessel. If the engine incorporates the gearbox, the power is measured at the gearbox output flange.

1.3    No deduction will be accepted for auxiliary machines such as generators or winches driven by the main engine. Items such as fuel injection pumps, turbo chargers etc (without which the engine could not operate), are considered to be engine components and are not auxiliaries.

1.4    The MCEP of engines can usually, be located on the engine “tally” plate.

2. How to determine MCEP
2.1    To find out the MCEP of an engine, owners can:

• Check the database of engine power on the MCA website address: www.mcga.gov.uk.
• Contact Registry of Shipping and Seamen on 029 20448855
• Contact the Fishing & Code Safety Branch on 02380 329154
• Contact the Marine Office nearest to your port of registry

3. De-rated Engine Power.
3.1    The rules allow owners to declare a lower engine power provided that the engine has been
permanently de-rated. However, the power of the de-rated engine should not be normally less
than 75% of the MCEP.

3.2    De-rating of main engines less than 25% should be confirmed in the form of a certificate,
indicating the de-rated power and the method used. These should be signed by a
person/company in the possession of either:

• A recognised Marine or Mechanical qualification" (e.g. Class 1 or 2 Motor certificate of competency, HNC/HND or ONC/OND level)
• An Associate Member of either the Institute of Marine Or Mechanical Engineers
• An Engine Manufacturer approved service engineer

You should retain this certificate. You will need to send a copy of the certificate to RSS as part of your application to prove the method of derating.

3.3    De-rating of main engines more than 25% is not recommended, as the engine should be chosen in accordance for its intended duty. If regardless of this guidance you decide to de-rate your engine more than the 75% of the original MCEP, you are required to provide the following documentation:

• A Test Certificate from the engine manufacturer.
• A manufacturer confirmation, stating that the engine can be run safely at that range.
• A test outcome confirming the new engine range and output, signed by any of the persons / companies mentioned in 3.2.

3.4    Permitted de-rating methods are:

• limiting the fuel rack
• changing the fuel pump
• changing the governor settings
• re-programming the electronic governor
• removing the turbocharger

Alternative proposed modifications aimed at reducing an engine's MCEP, will also be considered.

4. Physical Measurements
4.1    In cases where an MCEP cannot be determined, or where an MCEP value is disputed, a physical test may be carried out. Physical measurement will only be used as a last resort and will only happen when all other avenues have been exhausted.

5. Registration
5.1    From the 10 January 2000 the following applications were affected:

• new registration
• re-registration (vessels which have been previously registered, then closed their registration and now wish to re-apply again)
• change of ownership
• change of shareholding
• change of length
• change of breadth
• change of engine power

6. What will owners need to do?
6.1    Owners will have to declare the maximum continuous engine power of their ships’ engine.
“Where an engine is permanently de-rated” they will also have to declare the de-rated power and
the method of de-rating. The existing registry forms have been changed to include all the engine
details, which are required. It is important that owners quote, the engine ID (obtained from the
MCA, database), the MCEP value and the number of engines. This will ensure that applications
can be processed quickly.

7. Fishing Vessels registered prior to 10 January 2000
7.1    Where a fishing vessel is already registered on 10 January 2000, and, the MCEP on the engine tally plate is within 12.5% or 10kW (whichever is the larger) of the manufacturers figure taken from the MCA engine database no further action is required. This tolerance factor, however, does not apply to permanently de-rated engines.

7.2    This arrangement will apply irrespective of whether the vessel changes ownership after 10
January 2000.

7.3    The tolerance will not apply to vessels joining the UK register and being registered for the first
time from 10 January 2000.

8. Fishing Vessels registered prior to 10 January 2000
8.1    From 1 January 2001 applications to renew registration will include a declaration of MCEP. This will mean that by the end of 2005 all fishing vessel registrations will include their MCEP.

9. Outboard Motors
9.1    As outboard motors are changed frequently special arrangements have been agreed to help owners of vessels which are 10m and under in length. These owners will be able to declare the maximum power output that they expect to use and state that the engine used is an outboard motor. This will be printed on their certificate of registry and will enable them to use any outboard motor up to that power output. Consequently, they will not have to notify RSS if the engine is changed or moved to another vessel as long as it does not exceed the power shown on their certificate of registry.

10. Licensing Issues
10.1    Owners should have received a letter from their Fisheries Department, about the effect of the declaration of MCEP on fishing vessel licenses. Therefore, if you have any problems relating to licensing you should contact your local fisheries office who will be able to assist you.

11. Checking of Engines
11.1    MCA surveyors will check the MCEP, and the method and integrity of de-rating, as part of a vessel's re-survey or when a general inspection is being undertaken. Any discrepancies could render a fishing licence invalid and so vessel owners are recommended to take early action to rectify any anomalies.

12. When will I be affected?
12.1    In summary, if you register a new ship, re-register an existing ship, or make any changes to the registered particulars of your ship then the MCEP must be declared immediately from 10 January 2000.

12.2    If you are an owner of an existing ship, you should check the engine power shown on the certificate of registry and confirm that it matches the MCEP shown on the MCA engine database.
If the details are the same then no action is needed immediately as you will receive a renewal notice after 1 January 2001 asking you to confirm the MCEP:

12.3    If there is a difference between the two values, you are recommended to seek advice from your normal engineers as to the engine power of your vessel and to consult your Fisheries Department about the implications for fishing vessel licensing before taking steps to rectify the anomaly.

MANUFACTURER