Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers - 2025 Edition

COSWP is a comprehensive set of guidelines and best practices designed to ensure the safety and health of seafarers working on merchant vessels. It provides practical guidance on safe working practices and procedures to be followed on board ships to minimise risks and prevent accidents.

It is a statutory requirement for the current edition of the code to be carried on board all UK ships,
other than fishing vessels and pleasure craft. The code contains essential health and safety information, and it must be made available to any seafarer on board the ship who requests it.

What’s new?

MCA has redesigned and modernised the Code to improve its structure, ensure consistency and simplify its language. The use of recurring design features enables quicker reference and aids understanding. Users can refer to ‘How to use this document’, which outlines key features to help make the most of it.

Main updates to the 2025 Edition:

• Chapter 34: New chapter on shipyard safety and the considerations for seafarers while a ship is being repaired at a shipyard
• Chapter 22 (Annex 22.1): Standards for means of access
• Chapter 11: Safe movement on board ships during extreme weather conditions
• Chapters 9, 10, 12 and 15: Including new figure of a hammer suspension system in chapter 12
  Updated legislation references throughout.