The IPV Code came into force on 1 January 2019, allowing pleasure vessels to be put into temporary commercial use at sea for certain defined purposes. The code is split into two sections: vessels used for business purposes and vessels used for race support purposes.
Part 1 of the code applies to any vessel intended to be used or normally in use as a Pleasure Vessel but which is used at sea on a single-voyage basis by the vessel Owner, Manufacturer, broker, surveyor, repairer, Delivery Company, or Equipment Service Provider for business purposes relating to sale, repair, post-production / post-repair / mid-survey sea trials, equipment sea trials, customer sea trials, or vessel delivery for use in connection with that business purpose.
Part 2 of the code applies to vessels intended to be used or normally in use as a Pleasure Vessel but which are used at sea for race support.
Neither is particularly arduous; they require some basic safety equipment, and the relevant self-certification must be done.
For race support boats, the following life-saving appliances are the minimum which should be carried on board and may be stowed in a grab-bag:
- 2 Buoyant lines of 18m length (each attached to a throwing quoit), or 2 throw lines within a throw-bag designed for retrieving a casualty from the water
- 2 Red hand flares
- 2 Buoyant or hand-held smoke signals
- 1 Fog horn in working order
- 1 First aid kit
- 2 Thermal protective aids
- 1 Tow line for towing casualty race vessels (unless deemed unnecessary by the Race Committee on the basis of the type of Race Support Activities being undertaken).
The IPV code can be viewed here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5c17b96940f0b60bacefd25f/IPV_Code_-_01_January_2019.pdf