Maritime and Coastguard Agency
From SR
History and Roles
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), is responsible throughout the UK for implementing the Government’s maritime safety policy. That includes co-ordinating search and rescue at sea through the Marine Services Agency, and checking that ships meet UK and international safety rules. They work to prevent the loss of lives at the coast and at sea, to ensure that ships are safe, and to prevent coastal pollution
Services:
- Working at Sea
- Leisure and the Seaside
- Ships and Cargoes
- Emergency Response
Outputs
Areas of Focus:
- Twinning -
- The European Commission offers funding to enable countries close to being ready for, or who have just gained membership of the European Union to enter into twinning partnerships with Member States. Countries seeking accession have to harmonise a number of areas of government and legislation (eg justice, health, law enforcement, competition, transport, education etc) with EC legislation.
- Research -
- The MCA funds its own research programme which is driven by the objectives and Ministerial Targets set out in the Business Plan and Forward Look.
- Non Statutory Work -
- The MCA has a statutory obligation, as the “UK Flag State Administration”; to conduct International Safety Management (ISM) audits within the shipping industry to assess safety, quality and environmental management systems. There is a growing trend for shipping companies wanting to implement non-statutory standards related to quality management systems of quality (ISO 9001:2000) and environmental management systems (ISO 14001: 2004).
- Sustainable Development -
- The MCA are committed to implementing the UK Government’s Sustainable Development Strategy targets for the Government Estate
