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The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) publishes three overlapping series of maritime circulars: MSN (Merchant Shipping Notices), MGN (Marine Guidance Notes), and MIN (Marine Information Notes). Together they constitute the practical implementation of UK Merchant Shipping Act statutes + SOLAS/MARPOL/STCW obligations for UK-flagged vessels + UK port-state control. Foreign-flag vessels calling UK ports rely on MSN/MGN content for PSC compliance expectations. Every UK-flag Master and DPA maintains a current subset of these notices relevant to the vessel type.
Have mandatory legal effect where cited by UK statutory instrument. Numbered MSN 1801+ (continuing from historical series). Examples: MSN 1789 crew accommodation on UK-flag vessels, MSN 1858 STCW correlation table, MSN 1848 pilot transfer arrangements. When UK Merchant Shipping (Various) Regulations reference an MSN, the referenced content is binding.
Best-practice guidance without direct legal force but frequently referenced in prosecutions + used as evidence of standard-of-care in liability cases. Numbered MGN 1+. Examples: MGN 315 fatigue, MGN 320 shipboard exercises, MGN 528 anti-piracy, MGN 654 cyber security best practice.
Temporary or limited-duration information, typically superseded within 12-24 months. Announcements of new regulations, industry consultations, temporary operational restrictions.
| Notice | Subject | Cross-link |
|---|---|---|
| MSN 1848 | Pilot transfer arrangements — SOLAS V/23 UK implementation | Pilotage |
| MSN 1858 | STCW model course correlation table — UK CoC equivalences | Model courses |
| MSN 1789 | Crew accommodation on UK-registered vessels | MLC 2006 |
| MSN 1809 | Hours of rest + record-keeping | Hours of rest |
| MGN 315 (M) | Fatigue guidance for shipowners and officers | Fatigue management |
| MGN 320 (M) | Shipboard drills + exercises minimum requirements | SOLAS III |
| MGN 371 (M) | Entering enclosed spaces — safety guidance | Enclosed space |
| MGN 528 (M) | Anti-piracy: transiting high risk areas | Piracy |
| MGN 636 (M) | Passage planning guidance — including UKC calculation | Passage planning |
| MGN 654 (M) | Cyber security onboard ships — best practice | Cyber security |
| MGN 669 (M) | Ballast water management — UK application | BWM |
| MGN 682 (M) | MARPOL 0.10% ECA sulphur — UK enforcement | ECA checker |
| MGN 691 (M) | CII rating + SEEMP Part III UK implementation | CII |
| MGN 706 (M) | IMO 2020 sulphur cap — carriage prohibition + non-compliant fuel handling | MARPOL VI |
| MGN 731 (M+F) | Piracy + armed robbery — updated BMP5 references | Bab-el-Mandeb |
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