Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991

Fitness of vessels

19.—(1) The master of a vessel to which any of the Codes mentioned in paragraph (2) applies shall not carry, load or unload any liquid dangerous substance in bulk in a harbour area unless either—

(a) the vessel has a valid certificate of fitness for the carriage of the substance in bulk issued under the terms of whichever is appropriate of those Codes issued under the authority of the government of the country of registration of the vessel and he complies with any conditions of carriage laid down in that certificate; or

(b) the harbour master has given his permission in writing.

(2) The Codes referred to in paragraph (1)(a) are the following—

(a) “Bulk Chemical Code” namely, the IMO Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk;

(b) “Gas Carrier Code” namely, the IMO Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk;

(c) “Gas Carrier Code for Existing Ships” namely, the IMO Code for Existing Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk;

(d) “International Bulk Chemical Code” namely, the IMO International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk; and

(e) “International Gas Carrier Code” namely, the IMO International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk,

all published by the International Maritime Organisation (formerly the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation).

(3) The operator of a vessel which is a barge shall ensure that the barge does not carry, load or unload any liquid dangerous substance in bulk in a harbour or harbour area unless either—

(a) the barge—

(i) has been approved for the carriage of the substance in question by a recognised classification society, a naval architect or some other person who, by reason of his qualifications, training and experience is competent to do so; and

(ii) complies with any conditions imposed by the harbour authority; or

(b) the harbour master has given his permission in writing.