15.—(1) A Certifying Authority must issue a relevant NLS certificate in respect of a United Kingdom NLS ship where—
(a)that Authority has been notified by a surveyor that the surveyor has carried out a relevant initial or renewal survey;
(b)the notification described in paragraph (a) includes confirmation that, at the date of that survey, the surveyor is satisfied that the ship complies with the relevant requirements which apply to that ship; and
(c)any fee due under the Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations 2006(1) has been paid to that Authority.
(2) A Certifying Authority must issue a relevant NLS certificate in respect of a ship which becomes a United Kingdom NLS ship on transfer from the flag of another Contracting State where—
(a)a certificate which satisfies the requirements of Annex II has been issued by a Contracting State other than the UK in respect of the ship;
(b)the certificate described in paragraph (a) was valid immediately before the transfer;
(c)the Certifying Authority has caused a survey to be carried out in respect of the ship; and
(d)the Certifying Authority is satisfied that—
(i)the condition of the ship and its structure, equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and materials is such that it is fit to proceed to sea without presenting an unreasonable threat of harm to the marine environment; and
(ii)no change, other than a change referred to in paragraph (3), has been made to the structure of the ship or its equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements or materials covered by the last survey carried out in accordance with the requirements of Annex II without the approval of the Contracting State in question.
(3) The changes referred to in paragraph (2)(d)(ii) are the direct replacement of equipment and fittings with equipment and fittings that conform with the relevant requirements.
S.I. 2006/2055, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.