The Merchant Shipping (Small Workboats and Pilot Boats) Regulations 2023

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations revoke and replace the Merchant Shipping (Small Workboats and Pilot Boats) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/1609) and the Merchant Shipping (Small Workboats and Pilot Boats) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/354).

In these Regulations—

• Part 1 provides in regulations 1 to 7, for the revocation of earlier Regulations, definitions of terms used and information about the types of vessels to which these Regulations apply, the disapplication of other Regulations, the types of vessels that are exempted and where equivalent standards may apply;

• Part 2 provides in regulations 8 to 17, for survey and certification of vessels. This includes information on: periodical survey requirements, how applications for certificates may be made and determined and the duration, validity, extension or cancellation of a certificate or prohibitions in relation to certificates;

• Part 3 provides in regulations 18 to 25, for various changes in circumstances that may arise following certification of the vessel. In particular, these Regulations set out the responsibilities of owners and masters; the requirements to report incidents and deficient vessels; circumstances when vessels may be liable to be detained, the availability of a review or arbitration to settle disputes; and the offences, penalties and defences in relation to any breach of the Regulations;

• Part 4 provides in regulation 26 and Schedule 2, details of amendments it is necessary to make to other Regulations that are needed in connection with requirements for remotely operated unmanned vessels. Also, regulation 27 provides for a review of these Regulations to be undertaken at least every 5 years.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.

A copy of any Marine Guidance Note or Merchant Shipping Notice referred to in these Regulations may be obtained free of charge by prior appointment with the Code Vessel Team at the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, Spring Place, 105 Commercial Road, Southampton, SO15 1EG (telephone [phone] and email [e-mail]).