The Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Cargoes) (Amendment) Regulations 1997

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Cargoes Regulations) 1997 by incorporating amendments adopted on 9th December 1994 and 29th November 1995 to Chapter VI of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 (SOLAS).

Beginning 1st January 1998,

(a) all seagoing ships on international voyages which carry cargo; and

(b) ships on non-international voyages which are—

(i) cargo ships of 500 gross tons or over, or

(ii) passenger ships carrying cargo,

must carry an approved Cargo Securing Manual (regulation 6).

The scope of the regulations no longer excludes offshore supply vessels (regulation 4). The information a shipper must provide is specified more precisely (regulation 5).

A compliance cost assessment and a risk assessment have been prepared and copies can be obtained from the Marine Information Centre of the Marine Safety Agency, Spring Place, 105 Commercial Road, Southampton SO15 1EG. A copy of each assessment has been placed in the library of each House of Parliament.

The 1994 and 1995 amendments to Chapter VI of SOLAS, and the Maritime Safety Committee Circular referred to in the Regulations, may be obtained from the International Maritime Organisation, 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR.