HPi Verification Services Ltd

25/08/2026

What areas of boatbuilding is ISO 3834 (Quality Requirements for Fusion Welding of Metallic Materials) relevant to? Our Technical Director Adam Greene explains:

"ISO 3834 is potentially relevant not only to tanks or welded structures forming part of the boat being assessed, but also as part of wider procurement due diligence for all the associated infrastructure and cap ex. For example, boat cradles, staging, and other associated equipment.

"ISO 3834 certification provides added confidence that welding quality is properly managed throughout manufacture, rather than relying solely on inspection of the finished product."

Why should boatbuilders gain ISO3834 certification?

It is not mandatory. However, ISO 3834 certification offers significant commercial and operational advantages, including:

· Reduced risk of welding defects, rework, and associated costs.
· Improved compliance with customer, regulatory, and contractual requirements.
· Enhanced opportunities to tender for domestic and international projects where ISO 3834 certification is specified.
· Demonstrable commitment to continual improvement and best practice.
· Increased customer confidence through independent third-party certification.

HPiVS is accredited by INAB to issue ISO 3834 certification, enabling manufacturers and fabricators to demonstrate compliance with one of the world’s leading quality standards for welding.

We can carry out ISO 3834 audits as a standalone service or in conjunction with our other certification services to streamline the process and help reduce duplication, time, and costs.

18/08/2026

The team behind popular Sailing SV Delos YouTube Channel has turned to HPiVS for peace of mind that their custom-build aluminium catamaran Delos 2.0 meets the safety quality standards.

Why did they choose HPiVS? Brian Trautman, who has been sharing his global sailing adventures with an audience of millions for 13 years, explains:

"Proceeding with the RCD CE Cat A certification process for Delos 2.0 gives us confidence that we're meeting stringent safety and quality standards. It's something that we as owners look to for peace of mind, as well as our insurance company. Since we're a custom build, and not a typical production run, HPiVS has been great in working with us to find the correct path towards RCD CE Cat A certification."

With on-the-ground support and surveys being carried by regionally-based HPiVS Authorised Inspector Andaman Maritime Services, we're proud to play a part in this complex project, which is being followed by hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

If you're not already watching, head to www.youtube.com/ to follow the build progress.

13/08/2026

ONE YEAR TO GO: From 13 August 2027, any craft placed on the market or put into service will need to comply with the new edition, EN ISO 15085:2024.

The European harmonisation of the latest revision of ISO 15085 Man-overboard and Reboarding represents one of the most significant changes in small-craft safety thinking since the introduction of the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD).

What has changed?

The new standard moves decisively towards a risk-based approach. Rather than treating the deck as a uniform surface, it considers:

• The activities a person may carry out

• The conditions in which those activities may occur, including speed, weather, boat type, heel and sea state

• The specific areas of the boat where those activities take place

The result is a complete reclassification of the boat into “deck zones”, each with tailored requirements for guardrails, handholds and other measures designed to prevent man-overboard incidents.

A simple example illustrates the thinking: access to the steering position must be safe at any speed and in any weather, whereas access to a sunbathing area does not require the same level of protection.

The principle is straightforward and logical. However, the number of activities, conditions, and deck zones makes EN ISO 15085:2024 one of the most complex standards our sector has faced.

What does this mean for boat builders and designers?
One year is not a long time. For designers and manufacturers, understanding the new philosophy and how it affects existing and new designs is essential. If you need support with interpretation, design implications or implementation, don't leave it too late. Get in touch with us now.

Don't forget: you can also access EN ISO 15085:2024 on Rulefinder. Head to our website to find out more and gain online access to essential legislative texts and standards with additional background support and interpretations from our team of compliance experts.

10/08/2026

During his recent trip to China to visit our local partners Viacert, HPiVS CEO Alasdair Reay was honoured to join some of the team and their families on a team-building expedition to Xiqiao Mountain.

We work alongside a trusted network of carefully selected partners across the globe, combining our extensive regulatory certification expertise with the local knowledge, responsiveness, and on-the-ground support that a locally based surveyor can provide.

By investing in our partner relationships and providing ongoing technical support, we ensure the quality and consistency of every project we deliver. This gives our clients confidence that, wherever they are located, they receive the same level of expertise, professionalism, and service that HPiVS's reputation is built upon.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined and made the day so memorable, and extra thanks to Irene for organising the hike.

04/08/2026

Commercial vessel owners and operators: Are you ready for Workboat Code Edition 3?

If your workboat is currently certificated under Brown Code (1998), MGN 280(M), or Workboat Code Edition 2, you'll need to transition to the mandatory Workboat Code Edition 3 by 13 December 2026.

Preparing early can help avoid compliance issues and minimise operational disruption.

The updated code applies to commercial vessels up to 24 metres, including:
- Pilot boats
- Crew boats
- Patrol craft
- Utility workboats

Key changes include:
- Mandatory Safety Management Systems (Annex 8) for all workboats, regardless of size
- New requirements for Remotely Operated Unmanned Vessels (Annex 2)
- Enhanced stability standards in line with ISO 12217
- Mandatory continuous vibration exposure monitoring

HPiVS can help facilitate the journey to Workboat Code Edition 3, whether through an RCR/RCD PCA, an update to a Module B assessment, or technical services supporting the vessel’s work with the relevant Certifying Authority.

Get in touch to discuss how the new requirements may affect your vessel or fleet.

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28/07/2026

WHEN IS A COMMERCIAL CRAFT EXEMPT FROM CE MARKING UNDER THE RCD? One of the most common questions we receive is whether a commercial boat is exempt from the RCD or whether it needs a CE mark.

There is good reason for the confusion. The RCD states:

"The following shall be excluded from the scope of these Regulations: …… craft specifically intended to be crewed and to carry passengers for commercial purposes."

Many people make the mistake of assuming all craft being used for “commercial purposes” are excluded. But the EU Commission’s guidance document on the RCD states:

"chartered, i.e. hired, recreational craft are covered by the Directive, as are recreational craft used for recreational boating training. In both cases, the activity is not a commercial passenger transport activity but one for sports or leisure purposes, even if the craft is hired with crew."

This means that a boat is not excluded simply because money is exchanging hands for the use of the boat. Further, it is not necessarily exempt if there is a paid crew on board the hired craft.

The key is to focus on the use of the boat. If it is clearly being used for recreation, ie simply for the pleasure of passing some time afloat, then it is in scope, regardless of money or crew. If the hired boat is being used as a mode of transport, or for racing, then it is excluded. Note also that education/training is not excluded if it relates to using the craft recreationally.

It is not true that a boat is exempt from RCD because it has approval as a commercial vessel.

It should also be remembered that an excluded boat may be sold into the recreational market later in its life. The boat would need to be CE marked (or UKCA marked for UK-only) at this stage. As a result, it may be worthwhile dealing with the commercial approval and CE marking at the same time as the two regimes overlap.

23/07/2026

Wherever you are building a vessel and wherever it is going, HPiVS is there to support you to prove that it meets all legal requirements. This week, HPiVS CEO Alasdair Reay has been in China accompanying our regional partners Viacert as they carry out surveys and audits of a number of vessels.

We work closely with carefully selected Authorised Inspector partners located around the world so you can benefit from our team's in-depth regulatory certification experience alongside the local understanding, agility, and on-the-ground support that a locally-based surveyor can offer.

We undertake regular site visits like this with our partners, reviewing completed work, and sharing feedback to ensure our high standards are consistently met.

By supporting our partners in this way we confidently maintain quality for each job and reassure our customers that every project we undertake meets the standards we've built our reputation on.

Photo: Pictured centre right and left are HPiVS CEO Alasdair Reay and Kelvin Gao from Viacert alongside Viacert Inspectors Jason and Sophie, in front of the Opus 78, which has almost completed build in Shanghai.

22/07/2026

We're pleased to announce that HPiVS is now accredited by INAB to issue ISO 3834 certification, enabling manufacturers and fabricators to demonstrate compliance with one of the world's leading quality standards for welding.

Vladislav Maslov, HPiVS's Quality Director explains: "Achieving this accreditation means we can now make life easier for our customers who are committed to delivering the highest standards of welding quality. We can carry out ISO 3834 audits as a standalone service or in conjunction with our other certification services to streamline the process and help reduce duplication, time, and costs.

"We're proud to have gained this status and pleased that we can now offer this additional certification to further support our customers strengthen their competitive position, demonstrate compliance with international standards, and build confidence throughout their supply chains."



As an accredited certification body specialising in industrial and marine services, HPiVS carries out audits and issues regulatory certification for customers located around the world. ISO 3834, Quality Requirements for Fusion Welding of Metallic Materials, is an internationally recognised standard that provides a comprehensive framework for managing welding quality throughout the manufacturing process. Certification demonstrates that a company has the appropriate personnel, procedures, equipment, and quality controls in place to consistently produce high-quality welded products.



ISO 3834 is not mandatory. However, for manufacturers operating in sectors such as structural steel, pressure equipment, energy, marine, and general engineering, ISO 3834 certification offers significant commercial and operational advantages, including:

· Greater confidence in the quality and consistency of welded products.

· Improved compliance with customer, regulatory, and contractual requirements.

· Enhanced opportunities to tender for domestic and international projects where ISO 3834 certification is specified.

· Reduced risk of welding defects, rework, and associated costs.

· Demonstrable commitment to continual improvement and best practice.

· Increased customer confidence through independent third-party certification.

As supply chains continue to demand higher levels of quality assurance and traceability, ISO 3834 certification has become an increasingly valuable way for manufacturers to differentiate themselves and remain competitive in both UK and global markets.



HPiVS offers a customer-focused certification process designed to add value rather than simply assess compliance. Our experienced engineers work closely with organisations to ensure the certification journey is clear, efficient, and aligned with globally recognised standards.

Photo: Vladislav Maslov, Quality Director at HPiVS

06/07/2026

We're hiring... but perhaps not in the usual way.
We're looking for someone to join our Marine Services team to work with many of the world's leading boat builders and designers carrying out certification, technical assessments, sea trials, software development, and helping shape international standards.

We're deliberately not recruiting for a predefined job title. For the right person, we'll build the role around your strengths. Depending on the individual, this could become anything from a Naval Architect, Surveyor, or Certification Engineer through to a Principal role.

If you're technically curious, enjoy solving engineering problems and want a role where no two weeks are the same, we'd love to hear from you.

📍 UK or Europe
💻 Hybrid / Remote
💷 £38,000 to £58,000+, depending on experience

For more details, please click the link in comment below.

Interested? Let's have conversation. Contact us for a chat or email your CV to [email protected] with the subject line 'Job Opportunity' or find out more and apply on Linkedin using the link in the comment below.

Know someone who would be a great fit?
If we employ someone you've recommended and they successfully complete probation, we'll happily send you £100 as a thank you. Email us at: [email protected]

06/07/2026

This Maritime Safety Week (6-10 July) we're highlighting an area that is under a lot of discussion at the moment: installing battery systems on boats ⚡ 🛥️

Owners are increasingly specifying lithium-ion batteries and electric propulsion as a more sustainable way to enjoy life on the water. For manufacturers, this means understanding how to buy the correct components and fit them safely to ensure regulatory compliance and reduce risk.

Find out more: https://www.hpivs.com/marine-services/frequently-asked-questions

Led by the Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom, this year's Maritime Safety Week campaign is centred around the theme "Every day, everyone: making maritime safety routine."

Get the answers to your boat RCD compliance questions with our frequently asked questions