Merchant Shipping and Maritime Security Act 1997 (c. 28)

Extension of powers to deal with emergencies at sea U.K.

3 Powers of intervention in cases of pollution by substances other than oil. U.K.

(1) After section 138 of the 1995 Act there is inserted—

“138A Application of sections 137 and 138 to pollution by substances other than oil.

(1) In sections 137 and 138, any reference to oil pollution includes a reference to pollution by any other substance which—

(a) is prescribed by the Secretary of State by order for the purposes of this section, or

(b) although not so prescribed, is liable to create hazards to human health, to harm living resources and marine life, to damage amenities or to interfere with other legitimate uses of the sea.

(2) Accordingly, any reference in those sections to oil includes a reference to any substance falling within subsection (1)(a) or (b) above.”

(2) Nothing in this section affects—

(a) so much of any Order in Council as, immediately before the commencement of this section, has effect under section 141(1) of the 1995 Act; or

(b) any Order in Council or instrument which, immediately before the commencement of this section, has effect under any other provision of the 1995 Act and which applies sections 137 and 138 of the 1995 Act.