Merchant Shipping Act 1995

88 Safety of submersible and supporting apparatus

(1) This section applies to any submersible or supporting apparatus—

(a) operated within United Kingdom waters, or

(b) launched or operated from, or comprising, a United Kingdom ship.

(2) The Secretary of State may make regulations —

(a) for the safety of submersible and supporting apparatus;

(b) for the prevention of accidents in or near submersible or supporting apparatus;

(c) for the safety, health and welfare of persons on or in submersible and supporting apparatus;

(d) for prohibiting or otherwise restricting the operation of any submersible apparatus except in accordance with the conditions of a licence granted under the regulations; and

(e) for the registration of submersible apparatus.

(3) Schedule 2 shall have effect for supplementing the provisions of this section.

(4) In this section—

• “apparatus” includes any vessel, vehicle or hovercraft, any structure, any diving plant or equipment and any other form of equipment;

• “specified” means specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section;

• “submersible apparatus” means any apparatus used, or designed for use, in supporting human life on or under the bed of any waters or elsewhere under the surface of any waters; and

• “supporting apparatus” means any apparatus used, or designed for use, in connection with the operation of any submersible apparatus.