Merchant Shipping and Maritime Security Act 1997

6 (1) Schedule 3 to the 1995 Act (load lines) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph 3 (compliance with load line rules by United Kingdom ships) in sub-paragraph (3)—

(a) after “sub-paragraph (1) above” there is inserted “proceeds or”, and

(b) after “sub-paragraph (1)(a) and (b) above” there is inserted “and which is in United Kingdom waters”.

(3) In paragraph 13 (compliance with load line rules by other ships)—

(a) in sub-paragraph (4)—

(i) after “this paragraph” there is inserted “proceeds or”, and

(ii) after “sub-paragraphs (1)(a) or (b) above” there is inserted “and which is in United Kingdom waters”, and

(b) after that sub-paragraph there is inserted—

“(4A) The power of detention conferred by sub-paragraph (4) above is not exercisable in relation to a qualifying foreign ship while the ship is exercising—

(a) the right of innocent passage, or

(b) the right of transit passage through straits used for international navigation.”

(4) In paragraph 17 (inspection)—

(a) in sub-paragraphs (1) and (2), for “any port in the United Kingdom” there is substituted “United Kingdom waters”, and

(b) after sub-paragraph (2) there is inserted—

“(2A) No power of inspection conferred by sub-paragraph (1) or (2) above is exercisable in relation to a qualifying foreign ship while the ship is exercising—

(a) the right of innocent passage, or

(b) the right of transit passage through straits used for international navigation.”