Merchant Shipping (Registration, etc.) Act 1993

1 (1) A ship is a British ship if—

(a) the ship is registered in the United Kingdom under this Act; or

(b) the ship is registered in the United Kingdom in pursuance of an Order in Council under section 80 of the [1906 c. 48] Merchant Shipping Act 1906 (Government ships); or

(c) the ship is registered under the law of a relevant British possession; or

(d) the ship is a small ship other than a fishing vessel and—

(i) is not registered under this Act, but

(ii) is wholly owned by qualified owners, and

(iii) is not registered under the law of a country outside the United Kingdom.

(2) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(d) above—

• “qualified owners” means persons of such description qualified to own British ships as is prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State for the purposes of that sub-paragraph; and

• “small ship” means a ship less than 24 metres in length (“length” having the same meaning as in the tonnage regulations).

(3) The power to make regulations for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(d) above shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.