The Merchant Shipping (International Load Line Convention) (Amendment) Regulations 2018

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations implement the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966, as modified by the Protocol of 1988 relating to the Convention. The Regulations also implement all amendments to the Convention and Protocol as at the date of this statutory instrument. All future amendments to Annexes I, II and III to the Convention will be automatically incorporated into the Regulations by way of ambulatory reference (regulation 5). The Regulations apply the provisions of the Convention, with certain limited exceptions, to United Kingdom ships and to non-United Kingdom ships in United Kingdom waters meeting the size or weight criteria in the Convention, including ships from countries which are not parties to the Convention, and which are engaged on international voyages.

The Convention regulates technical detail in relation to the loading, stability and watertight integrity of ships, and includes provision for the survey, certification and inspection of ships for the purpose of ascertaining compliance with the Convention. Load lines marked on a ship indicate the maximum safe loading of a ship in specific conditions.

The Regulations amend the Merchant Shipping (Load Line) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/2241), which continue to apply (with certain limited exceptions) to United Kingdom ships and non-United Kingdom ships in United Kingdom waters engaged on international voyages but to which the Convention does not apply, as well as to United Kingdom ships and non-United Kingdom ships in United Kingdom waters on domestic voyages.

Under regulation 3, the Secretary of State may authorise persons to act as Assigning Authorities for the purposes of the Regulations.

Regulation 23 sets out the scope of the control exercisable by the Secretary of State in relation to non-United Kingdom ships in United Kingdom ports. Such control is exercised in practice by way of the port State control regime.

Regulation 30 requires the Secretary of State to review the operation and effect of these Regulations and publish a report before 9th March 2023 and at intervals not exceeding five years after that. Following a review it will fall to the Secretary of State to consider whether the Regulations should remain as they are, or be amended or revoked. A further instrument would be needed to amend or to revoke the Regulations.

Marine Guidance Note (MGN 579(M)) provides detailed explanation as to how the Regulations work in practice. MGN 579(M) is available from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) of Spring Place, 105 Commercial Road, Southampton SO15 1EG and on https://www.gov.uk.

The International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 and the Protocol of 1988 may be obtained in copy from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR and are available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) treaties database ( http://treaties.fco.gov.uk/treaties/treaty.htm). The text of the Resolutions amending the Convention and Protocol may be obtained from the IMO or found in Marine Information Note 560(M), or on the FCO treaties database (http://treaties.fco.gov.uk/treaties/treaty.htm).

Future amendments to the Convention and to the Protocol may be obtained in copy from the IMO and, after coming into force in the United Kingdom, found on http://treaties.fco.gov.uk/treaties/treaty.htm. Until such publication is made on http://treaties.fco.gov.uk/treaties/treaty.htm, an amendment will be available from the MCA and on https://www.gov.uk. An amendment will be publicised in advance of its in force date by means of a Parliamentary Statement to both Houses of Parliament and by way of a Marine Guidance Note, which will be available in copy from the MCA and on https://www.gov.uk.

An impact assessment of the effect of this instrument has been produced and is published with the Explanatory Memorandum alongside the instrument at www.legislation.gov.uk.