18.—(1) An individual is to be treated as meeting the presence conditions set out in regulation 15(1)(d) and (e) for any period where that individual is—
(a)outside the common travel area in their capacity as an aircraft worker or a mariner, or
(b)in employment prescribed for the purposes of section 120 (employment at sea (continental shelf operations)) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992(1) in connection with continental shelf operations.
(2) In this regulation—
“aircraft worker” means a person who is, or has been, employed under a contract of service either as a pilot, commander, navigator or other member of the crew of any aircraft, or in any other capacity on board any aircraft where—
the employment in that other capacity is for the purposes of the aircraft or its crew or of any passengers or cargo or mail carried on that aircraft, and
the contract is entered into in the United Kingdom with a view to its performance (in whole or in part) while the aircraft is in flight,
but does not include a person so far as that employment is as a serving member of Her Majesty’s forces, and
“mariner” means a person who is, or has been, in employment under a contract of service either as a master or member of the crew of any ship or vessel, or in any other capacity on board any ship or vessel where—
the employment in that other capacity is for the purposes of that ship or vessel or its crew or any passengers or cargo or mail carried by the ship or vessel, and
the contract is entered into in the United Kingdom with a view to its performance (in whole or in part) while the ship or vessel is on voyage,
but does not include a person in so far as that employment is as a serving member of Her Majesty’s forces.
Section 120 was relevantly amended by paragraph 30 of schedule 4 of the Petroleum Act 1998 (c. 17), paragraph 26 of schedule 3 and paragraph 8 of schedule 7 of the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 (c. 2), paragraph 70 of schedule 7 of the Social Security Act 1998 (c. 14), and sections 12(2) to (4) of the National Insurance Contributions Act 2014 (c. 7).