These Regulations further amend the Merchant Shipping (Seamen’s Documents) Regulations 1987 (“the principal Regulations”) to allow the Secretary of State to issue discharge books to persons who are British Citizens within the meaning of the British Nationality Act 1981 and have the right of abode within the United Kingdom who are or have been employed in ships other than United Kingdom ships.

The Regulations also make minor amendments to the principal Regulations to omit references to the Merchant Navy Establishment Administration and to up-date the list of countries specified in Schedule 4.