The Merchant Shipping (Special Measures to Enhance Maritime Safety) Regulations 2024

Ship identification number

7.—(1) A Company, owner and master must each ensure that a ship to which this regulation applies is not operated unless—

(a) an identification number which conforms to the IMO ship identification number scheme adopted in IMO Resolution A.1117(30)(1) has been obtained for the ship; and

(b) that number has been inserted on the applicable certificates referred to in paragraph (2) and on any certified copies of such certificates.

(2) The certificates referred to in sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (1) are—

(a) in the case of a United Kingdom ship, a certificate issued under—

(i) regulation 13 (issue of certificates to United Kingdom ships engaged on international or short international voyages); or

(ii) regulation 14 (issue of certificates to United Kingdom ships not engaged on international voyages),

of the 2015 Regulations; or

(b) in the case of a non-United Kingdom ship, a certificate issued by—

(i) the Secretary of State under regulation 19(2) of the 2015 Regulations (requests made by other SOLAS governments); or

(ii) the ship’s flag administration in accordance with regulation 12 or 13 of Chapter I(2) of the Annex to the Convention (issue or endorsement of certificates).

(3) In the case of a United Kingdom ship, the Secretary of State must include the identification number in any exemption granted under regulation 5(3) of the 2015 Regulations (exemptions).

(4) Subject to paragraph (5), a Company, owner and master must each ensure that the identification number for a ship to which this regulation applies is permanently marked on the ship in accordance with regulations 3.4 and 3.5.1 to 3.5.3 of Chapter XI-1 (marking of ship’s identification number).

(5) On United Kingdom ships constructed of material other than steel or metal, the method of marking the identification number on the ship must be approved by the Secretary of State before such marking is undertaken.

(6) An approval given under paragraph (5) may, on the giving of reasonable notice, be continued, altered or cancelled.

(7) Any approval given under paragraph (5), or a continuation, alteration or cancellation under paragraph (6), must—

(a) be in writing;

(b) specify the date on which it takes effect; and

(c) specify the terms, if any, on which it is given.

(8) The requirement that the approval referred to in paragraph (5), or a continuation, alteration or cancellation under paragraph (6), be in writing is satisfied where the text of the approval, continuation, alteration or cancellation is—

(a) transmitted by electronic means;

(b) received in legible form; and

(c) capable of being used for subsequent reference.

(1)

Resolution A.1117(30) contains the IMO ship identification number scheme and revoked Resolution A.1078(28), which contained the previous IMO ship identification number scheme. Resolution A.1117(30) can be obtained in hard copy from the IMO of 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR or from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) of Spring Place, 105 Commercial Road, Southampton, SO15 1EG (telephone [phone] and email [e-mail]), and at https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/KnowledgeCentre/IndexofIMOResolutions/AssemblyDocuments/A.1117(30).pdf. The procedure for obtaining a ship identification number is explained in IMO Circular Letter No.1886/Rev.7 dated 28th November 2022, which is also available in hard copy from the IMO and the MCA.

(2)

Chapter I was abrogated and replaced by the Protocol to the Convention of 1988 (Cm 5044) (https://treaties.fcdo.gov.uk/awweb/pdfopener?md=1&did=69573) with respect to the parties to the 1988 Protocol.