The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Oil Pollution) Regulations 1996

“New” oil tankers (building contracts after 5th July 1993)

30.—(1) This regulation applies to oil tankers of 600 tons deadweight and above—

(a) for which the building contract is placed on or after 6th July 1993; or

(b) in the absence of a building contract, the keel of which is laid or which is at a similar stage of construction on or after 6th January 1994; or

(c) the delivery of which is on or after 6th July 1996; or

(d) which has undergone a major conversion—

(i) for which the contract is placed after 6th July 1993; or

(ii) in the absence of a contract, the construction work of which is begun after 6th January 1994; or

(iii) which is completed after 6th July 1996.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), every oil tanker of 5,000 tons deadweight and above shall comply with the requirements of paragraph (3) and, in the case of an oil tanker in respect of which regulation 19 makes provision, compliance with the requirements of paragraph (3) shall be instead of compliance with the requirements of that regulation.

(3) The entire cargo tank length shall be protected by ballast tanks or spaces other than cargo and fuel oil tanks, in accordance with the requirements set out in Schedule 6 in Merchant Shipping Notice No. 1643/MARPOL 1.

(4) Double bottom tanks or spaces as required by paragraph (3) may be dispensed with, if the design of the tanker meets the conditions set out in Schedule 7 in Merchant Shipping Notice No. 1643/MARPOL 1.

(5) Instead of complying with the requirements of paragraph (3) or (4), an oil tanker referred to in paragraph (2) may conform to other methods of design and construction, provided that such methods—

(a) ensure at least the same level of protection against oil pollution in the event of collision or stranding; and

(b) have the approval of the Secretary of State based on guidelines developed by the Organisation.

(6) In an oil tanker to which this regulation applies, oil shall not be carried in any space extending forward of a collision bulkhead provided in accordance with regulation 3 in the Merchant Shipping (Cargo Ship Construction and Survey) Regulations 1984(1). An oil tanker which is not required to have a collision bulkhead in accordance with the said regulation 3 shall not carry oil in any space extending forward of the transverse plane perpendicular to the centreline that is located as if it were a collision bulkhead provided in accordance with that regulation.

(7) In approving the design and construction of an oil tanker to which this regulation applies, the Certifying Authority shall have due regard to general safety considerations (including the need for the maintenance of and for inspections of wing and double bottom tanks or spaces).

(1)

S.I. 1984/1217, to which the only relevant amending instrument is S.I. 1985/661.