http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1995/21/section/261/2012-07-23Merchant Shipping Act 1995An Act to consolidate the Merchant Shipping Acts 1894 to 1994 and other enactments relating to merchant shipping.1995-07-19texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-04-01Expert Participation2012-07-23 Part X Enforcement Officers and Powers Improvement notices and prohibition notices Improvement notices.2611If an inspector appointed under section 256(6) is of the opinion that a person—ais contravening one or more of the relevant statutory provisions, orbhas contravened one or more of those provisions in circumstances that make it likely that the contravention will continue or be repeated,he may serve on that person a notice under this section, (referred to in the following sections of this Part as an improvement notice).2An improvement notice shall—astate that the inspector is of the said opinion, specify the provision or provisions as to which he is of that opinion, and give particulars of the reasons why he is of that opinion, andbrequire the person on whom the notice is served to remedy the contravention in question or (as the case may be) the matters occasioning it within such period as may be specified in the notice.3The period specified in pursuance of subsection (2)(b) above shall not expire before the end of the period within which a notice can be given under section 264 requiring questions relating to the improvement notice to be referred to arbitration.4In this and the following sections of this Part “the relevant statutory provisions” means—asections 43, 44, 46 to 55, 85, 86, 88 (and Schedule 2), . . . . . .99, 109, 115, 116, 121 to 126, 128, 129, 130 130A, 131 to 151 and 272; andbthe provisions of any instrument of a legislative character having effect under any of those provisions.S. 261 modified (16.2.2001) by S.I. 2001/152, reg. 11(2)Words in s. 261(4)(a) repealed (12.10.1998) by S.I. 1998/2241, reg. 3(1)(b)Words in s. 261(4)(a) repealed (1.12.1998) by S.I. 1998/2647, reg. 1(2)(b)Figure in s. 261(4)(a) substituted (19.3.1997) by 1997 c. 28, ss. 29(1), 31(4), Sch. 6 para. 16Ss. 258-266 applied (with application in accordance with reg. 4 of the amending S.I.) by The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Control of Noise at Work) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3075), regs. 1, 19Ss. 258-266 applied (with application in accordance with reg. 4 of the amending S.I.) by The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Control of Vibration at Work) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3077), regs. 1, 18Ss. 258-266 applied (1.3.2008) by The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) (Carcinogens and Mutagens) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3100), regs. 1, 22Ss. 261-266 applied (with modifications) (1.12.2009) by The Merchant Shipping (Anti-Fouling Systems) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2796), regs. 1, 10(5) (with reg. 3)Ss. 258-266 applied (6.4.2010) by The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Medical Certification) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/737), regs. 1(1), 19 (with reg. 5)Ss. 258-266 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2010) by The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) (Chemical Agents) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/330), regs. 1, 20 (with regs. 4, 5)Ss. 258-266 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2010) by The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) (Work at Height) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/332), regs. 1, 22 (with regs. 4, 5)Ss. 258-266 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2010) by The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) (Biological Agents) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/323), regs. 1, 27 (with regs. 4, 5)Ss. 258-266 applied (10.1.2011) by The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) (Asbestos) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/2984), regs. 1, 26Ss. 258-266 applied (10.1.2011) by The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) (Artificial Optical Radiation) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/2987), regs. 1, 16