The Statistical Returns (Carriage of Goods and Passengers by Sea) Regulations 1997

Citation, commencement and extent

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Statistical Returns (Carriage of Goods and Passengers by Sea) Regulations 1997 and shall come into force on 1st November 1997.

(2) These Regulations extend to Northern Ireland.

Interpretation

2.—(1) In these Regulations:

“maritime transport operator” means any person by whom or on behalf of whom a contract for the transport of goods or persons by sea is concluded with a shipper or a passenger:

“person carrying on business or trade in the maritime transport sector” includes any maritime transport operator and any person who acts as an agent on behalf of a maritime transport operator in relation to a contract for the transport of goods or persons by sea concluded with a shipper or a passenger;

“harbour authority”—

(a)

in Great Britain, means a harbour authority within the meaning of the Harbours Act 1964(1), and

(b)

in Northern Ireland, has the same meaning as in the Harbours Act (Northern Ireland) 1970(2).

(2) Unless given a definition in these Regulations expressions used herein have the same meaning as in Council Directive 95/64/EC on statistical returns in respect of carriage of goods and passengers by sea(3) (hereinafter the “Directive”).

Returns

3.  The Secretary of State may require by notice in writing any person carrying on business or trade in the maritime transport sector or any harbour authority to furnish, in such form and manner and within such time as may be specified, such periodical or other returns about such of the matters set out in the Schedule to these Regulations in relation to the carriage of goods and passengers by sea going vessels as may be specified.

Offences

4.  If any person required to furnish returns under these Regulations fails to furnish those returns as required, or makes a return which he knows to be false or recklessly makes a false return, he shall, unless he proves that he had reasonable excuse for the failure or false return, be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport

Glenda Jackson

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State,

Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

24th September 1997