Prospective
Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations require that EPIRBs (that is, emergency position indicating radio beacons) carried on United Kingdom ships and hovercraft shall be registered with the competent authority in a member State of the International Telecommunication Union (regulation 5(1)). In the United Kingdom the competent authority is HM Coastguard (regulation 4). (The registered particulars are maintained at the EPIRB Register, HM Coastguard, South Western, Pendennis Point, Castle Drive, Falmouth TR11 4WZ). A list of details required to be registered is included (regulation 5(2)), and changes must be notified (regulation 6). Penalties are provided for contravention of the Regulations (regulation 7).
A Regulatory Impact Assessment has been carried out and a copy placed in the Library of both Houses of Parliament. Copies can be obtained from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Spring Place, 105 Commercial Road, Southampton SO15 5EG (telephone number 02380 329137).