Merchant Shipping (Oil Pollution) Act 1971

7 Concurrent liabilities of owners and others.

Where, as a result of any discharge or escape of persistent oil from a ship, the owner of the ship incurs a liability under section 1 of this Act and any other person incurs a liability, otherwise than under that section, for any such damage or cost as is mentioned in subsection (1) of that section, then, if—

(a) the owner has been found, in proceedings under section 5 of this Act, to be entitled to limit his liability to any amount and has paid into court a sum not less than that amount ; and

(b) the other person is entitled to limit his liability in connection with the ship by virtue of the [1958 c. 62.] Merchant Shipping (Liability of Shipowners and Others) Act 1958 ;

no proceedings shall be taken against the other person in respect of his liability, and if any such proceedings were commenced before the owner paid the sum into court, no further steps shall be taken in the proceedings except in relation to costs.