Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Act 1949

Construction and Equipment U.K.

F1 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 1-6 repealed (1.5.1994) by 1993 c. 22, s. 8(4), Sch. 5 Pt.II; S.I. 1993/3137, art. 3(2), Sch.2.

F2 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F2 Ss. 1-6 repealed (1.5.1994) by 1993 c. 22, s. 8(4), Sch. 5 Pt.II; S.I. 1993/3137, art. 3(2), Sch.2.

F3 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F3 Ss. 1-6 repealed (1.5.1994) by 1993 c. 22, s. 8(4), Sch. 5 Pt.II (subject to a saving for s. 3(5)(6) at the end of Sch. 5 Pt. II); S.I. 1993/3137, art. 3(2), Sch.2.

F4 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F4 Ss. 1-6 repealed (1.5.1994) by 1993 c. 22, s. 8(4), Sch. 5 Pt.II; S.I. 1993/3137, art. 3(2), Sch.2.

F5 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F5 Ss. 1-6 repealed (1.5.1994) by 1993 c. 22, s. 8(4), Sch. 5 Pt.II; S.I. 1993/3137, art. 3(2), Sch.2.

F6 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F6 Ss. 1-6 repealed (1.5.1994) by 1993 c. 22, s. 8(4), Sch. 5 Pt.II; S.I. 1993/3137, art. 3(2), Sch.2.

Certificates U.K.

F7 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F7 S. 7 repealed (1.6.1995 with effect as mentioned in reg. 1(5) of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/1210, reg. 1(4)(d)(5)

F8 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F8 S. 8 repealed (1.6.1995) by S.I. 1995/1210, reg. 1(4)(d)(5)

F9 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F9 S. 9 repealed (1.6.1995) by S.I. 1995/1210, reg. 1(4)(d)(5)

F10 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F10 S. 10 repealed (1.6.1995) by S.I. 1995/1210, reg. 1(4)(d)(5)

F11 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F11 S. 11 repealed (1.6.1995) by S.I. 1995/1210, reg. 1(4)(d)(5)

F12 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F12 S. 12 repealed (1.6.1995) by S.I. 1995/1210, reg. 1(4)(d)(5)

F13 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F13 S. 13 repealed (1.6.1995) by S.I. 1995/1210, reg. 1(4)(d)(5)

Safety Convention Ships not registered in the United Kingdom U.K.

F14 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F14 S. 14 repealed (1.6.1995) by S.I. 1995/1210, reg. 1(4)(d)(5)

F15 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F15 S. 15 repealed (1.6.1995) by S.I. 1995/1210, reg. 1(4)(d)(5)

16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F16 U.K.

Textual Amendments

F16 S. 14(2), 16 repealed by S.I. 1981/568, reg. 4, Sch. 1

F17 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F17 S. 17 repealed (1.6.1995) by S.I. 1995/1210, reg. 1(4)(d)(5)

Miscellaneous Provisions for furthering Safety of Life at Sea U.K.

18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F18 U.K.

Textual Amendments

F18 Ss. 18, 20 repealed by Merchant Shipping (Load Lines) Act 1967 (c. 27), s. 33, Sch. 2

F19 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F19 S. 19 repealed (1.5.1994) by 1993 c. 22, s. 8(4), Sch. 5 Pt.II; S.I. 1993/3137, art. 3(2), Sch.2.

20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F20 U.K.

Textual Amendments

F20 Ss. 18, 20 repealed by Merchant Shipping (Load Lines) Act 1967 (c. 27), s. 33, Sch. 2

F21 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F21 S. 21 repealed (1.5.1994) by 1993 c. 22, s. 8(4), Sch. 5 Pt.II (subject to a saving at the end of Sch. 5 Pt. II); S.I. 1993/3137, art. 3(2), Sch.2

22 Obligation to assist vessels, etc., in distress. U.K.

(1) The master of a British ship registered in the United Kingdom, on receiving at sea a signal of distress or information from any source that a vessel or aircraft is in distress, shall proceed with all speed to the assistance of the persons in distress (informing them if possible that he is doing so) unless he is unable, or in the special circumstances of the case considers it unreasonable or unnecessary, to do so, or unless he is released under the provisions of subsection (3) or subsection (4) of this section.

(2) Where the master of any ship in distress has requisitioned any British ship registered in the United Kingdom that has answered his call, it shall be the duty of the master of the requisitioned ship to comply with the requisition by continuing to proceed with all speed to the assistance of the persons in distress.

(3) A master shall be released from the obligation imposed by subsection (1) of this section as soon as he is informed of the requisition of one or more ships other than his own and that the requisition is being complied with by the ship or ships requisitioned.

(4) A master shall be released from the obligation imposed by subsection (1) of this section, and, if his ship has been requisitioned, from the obligation imposed by subsection (2) of this section, if he is informed by the persons in distress, or by the master of any ship that has reached the persons in distress, that assistance is no longer required.

(5) If a master fails to comply with the preceding provisions of this section, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanour.

(6), (7) . . . F22

(8) F23 . . .compliance by the master of a ship with the provisions of this section shall not affect his right, or the right of any other person, to salvage.

Textual Amendments

F22 S. 22(6)(7) repealed by Merchant Shipping Act 1970 (c. 36), Sch. 5

F23 Words in s. 22(8) repealed (1.1.1995) by 1994 c. 28, s. 10(3), Sch. 4; S.I. 1994/2971, art. 2, Sch.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 22 extended by S.I. 1972/971, Sch. 1

C2 S. 22 amended (1.5.1994) by 1993 c. 22, s. 8(3), Sch. 4 para. 6(2)(c); S.I. 1993/3137, art. 3(2), Sch. 2.

F24 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F24 S. 23 repealed (1.5.1994) by 1993 c. 22, s. 8(4), Sch. 5 Pt. II; S.I. 1993/3137, art. 3(2), Sch.2

[F25 24 Carriage of grain. U.K.

(1) Where grain is loaded on board any British ship registered in the United Kingdom, or is loaded within any port in the United Kingdom on board any ship, all necessary and reasonable precautions shall be taken to prevent the grain from shifting; and if such precautions as aforesaid are not taken, the owner or the master of the ship, or any agent of the owner who was charged with the loading or with sending the ship to sea laden with the grain, shall be guilty of an offence under this subsection, and the ship shall be deemed for the purposes of Part V of the principal Act to be unsafe by reason of improper loading.

(2) Where any ship, having been loaded with grain outside the United Kingdom without the taking of all necessary and reasonable precautions to prevent the grain from shifting, enters any port in the United Kingdom so laden, the owner or master of the ship shall be guilty of an offence under this subsection, and the ship shall be deemed for the purposes of Part V of the principal Act to be unsafe by reason of improper loading:

Provided that this subsection shall not have effect if the ship would not have entered any such port but for stress of weather or any other circumstance that neither the master nor the owner nor the charterer (if any) could have prevented or forestalled.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of the two preceding subsections, any particular precaution prescribed by rules made by the Minister under this subsection, in relation to the loading of ships generally or of ships of any class, as being a precaution to be treated for the purposes of those subsections as a necessary or reasonable precaution to prevent grain from shifting, shall be so treated in the case of ships generally, or of ships of that class, as the case may be:

Provided that this subsection shall not apply where a ship is loaded in accordance in all respects with any provisions approved by the Minister as respects the loading in question other than rules made under this subsection.

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F26

(5) On the arrival at a port in the United Kingdom from a port outside the United Kingdom of any ship carrying a cargo of grain, the master shall cause to be delivered to the proper officer of Customs in the United Kingdom, together with the report required by [F27 section 35 of the M1 Customs and Excise Management Act 1979], a notice stating—

(a) the draught of water and freeboard, as defined by Part V of the principal Act, of the said ship after the loading of her cargo was completed at the final port of loading; and

(b) the following particulars of the grain carried, namely,

(i) the kind of grain and the quantity thereof, stated in cubic feet, quarters, bushels, or tons weight;

(ii) the mode in which the grain is stowed, and

(iii) the precautions taken to prevent the grain from shifting;

and if the master fails to deliver any notice required by this subsection, or if in any such notice he makes any statement that he knows to be false in a material particular or recklessly makes any statement that is false in a material particular, he shall be liable to a fine not exceeding [F28 [F29 level 3 on the standard scale]in the case of a failure and [F29 level 4 on the standard scale]in the case of a false statement].

(6) Any person having a general or special authority in that behalf from the Minister may, for securing the observance of the provisions of this section, inspect any grain, and the mode in which it is stowed, and for that purpose shall have all the powers of a Ministry of Transport inspector under the principal Act.

(7) In this section the expression “grain” includes wheat, maize, oats, rye, barley, rice, pulses and seeds [F30 whether in natural or processed form], . . . F31 .]

Textual Amendments

F25 S. 24 repealed by S.I. 1980/536, regs. 1(3), 2, 5 and S.I. 1981/576, reg. 2 (by reg. 2 of S.I. 1980/536, as amended by S.I. 1981/576, reg. 2(2) it was provided that the 1980 regulations applied in relation to: (a)sea-going United Kingdom ships, and (b)other sea-going ships while they are within the United Kingdom or the territorial waters thereof, when loaded with grain in bulk; and by S.I. 1985/1217, regs. 1(3), 2, S.I. 1980/536 was revoked as therein mentioned)

F26 S. 24(4) repealed by Merchant Shipping Act 1979 (c. 39), Sch. 7 Pt. II

F27 Words substituted by Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (c. 2), Sch. 4 para. 12 Table Pt. I

F28 Words substituted by Merchant Shipping Act 1979 (c. 39) Sch. 6 Pt. VI para. 14

F29 Words substituted by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 46; (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), s. 289G and (N.I.) S.I. 1984/703 (N.I. 3), art. 5

F30 Words inserted by Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Act 1977 (c. 24), ss. 1(5)(a), 4

F31 Words repealed by Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Act 1977 (c. 24), ss. 1(5)(b), 4

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3 S. 24(1)(2) amended by Merchant Shipping Act 1979 (c. 39), s. 43(2), Sch. 6 Pt. V

Marginal Citations

M1 1979 c. 2.

25 Contribution towards a North Atlantic ice service. U.K.

Any sums required for the contribution from the United Kingdom towards maintaining, in accordance with the Safety Convention, a service in the North Atlantic for the study and observation of ice, and for ice patrol, shall be paid by the Minister out of moneys provided by Parliament.

Supplemental U.K.

F32 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F32 S. 26 repealed (1.6.1995) by S.I. 1995/1210, reg. 1(4)(d)(5)

F33 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F33 Ss. 27-30 repealed (1.5.1994) by 1993 c. 22, s. 8(4), Sch. 5 Pt.II; S.I. 1993/3137, art. 3(2), Sch.2

F34 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F34 S. 28 repealed (1.5.1994) by 1993 c. 22, s. 8(4), Sch. 5 Pt.II (subject to a saving at the end of Sch. 5 Pt. II); S.I. 1993/3137, art. 3(2), Sch.2 (but s. 28(1) remains in force for the sole purpose specified by Sch. 2, Appendix para. 2(c) to that S.I.).

F35 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F35 Ss. 27-30 repealed (1.5.1994) by 1993 c. 22, s. 8(4), Sch. 5 Pt.II; S.I. 1993/3137, art. 3(2), Sch.2

F36 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F36 Ss. 27-30 repealed (1.5.1994) by 1993 c. 22, s. 8(4), Sch. 5 Pt.II; S.I. 1993/3137, art. 3(2), Sch.2

F37 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F37 S. 31 repealed (1.6.1995) by S.I. 1995/1210, reg. 1(4)(d)(5)

32 Transitional provisions. U.K.

Without prejudice to the effect of [F38 sections 16(1) and 17(2)(a) of the M2 Interpretation Act 1978], the provisions of the First Schedule to this Act shall have effect for the purpose of the transition from the law in force before the commencement of this Act to the provisions of this Act.

Textual Amendments

F38 Words substituted by virtue of Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30), s. 25(2)

Marginal Citations

M2 1978 c. 30.

F39 33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F39 S. 33 repealed (1.5.1994) by 1993 c. 22, s. 8(4), Sch. 5 Pt.II; S.I. 1993/3137, art. 3(2), Sch.2 (but s. 33(2) remains in force for the sole purpose specified by Sch. 2, Appendix para. 2(d) to that S.I.).

34 Rules and regulations. U.K.

(1) The power to make rules and regulations under . . . F40 this Act, or to make rules for lifesaving appliances, shall be exercisable by statutory instrument.

(2) Any statutory instrument by which any such power as aforesaid is exercised shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Textual Amendments

F40 Words repealed by Merchant Shipping Act 1964 (c. 47), s. 18(4)(c)

35 Consequential amendments of Merchant Shipping Acts. U.K.

(1) In subsection (3) of section seven hundred and twenty-four of the principal Act, for the words “passenger steamers” there shall be substituted the word “ships.”

F41 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F42

F43 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F41 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F43 (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F41 S. 35(2)(5) repealed (1.6.1995) by S.I. 1995/1210, reg. 1(4)(d)(5)

F42 Ss. 35(3), 37(5) repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1953 (2 & 3 Eliz. 2 c. 5)

F43 S. 35(4)(6) repealed (1.5.1994) by 1993 c. 22, s. 8(4), Sch. 5 Pt. II; S.I. 1993/3137, art. 3(2), Sch. 2.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4 The “said Act of 1932” means Merchant Shipping (Safety and Load Line Conventions) Act 1932 (c. 9)

36 Interpretation. U.K.

(1) In this Act the following expressions have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them, that is to say:—

• F44 . . .

• F45 . . .

• F45 . . .

• F46 . . .

• F44 . . .

• F44 . . .

• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F47

• “The Minister” means the Minister of Transport;

• F45 . . .

• F45 . . .

• F45 . . .

• F45 . . .

• F48 . . .

• F44 . . .

• F49 . . .

F50 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F44 Definitions in s. 36(1) repealed (1.6.1995 with effect as mentioned in reg. 1(5) of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/1210, reg. 1(4)(d)(5)

F45 Definitions in s. 36(1) repealed (1.5.1994) by 1993 c. 22, s. 8(4), Sch. 5 Pt. II; S.I. 1993/3137, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

F46 Definition in s. 36(1) repealed (1.6.1995) by S.I. 1995/1210, reg. 1(4)(d)(5)

F47 Definition repealed by Merchant Shipping Act 1964 (c. 47), s. 18(4)(d)

F48 Definition in s. 36(1) of 'life saving equipment' expressed to be repealed (1.5.1994) by 1993 c. 22, s. 8(4), Sch. 5 Pt. II; S.I. 1993/3137, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

F49 Definition in s. 36(1) inserted by S.I. 1980/539, Sch. 1 and repealed (1.5.1994) by 1993 c. 22, s. 8(4), Sch. 5 Pt. II; S.I. 1993/3137, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

F50 S. 36(2) repealed (1.6.1995 with effect as mentioned in reg. 1(5) of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/1210, reg. 1(4)(d)(5)

37 Commencement, construction, citation and repeal. U.K.

(1) This Act shall come into force on such day as His Majesty may by Order in Council appoint.

(2) Except so far as the context otherwise requires, any reference in this Act to any other enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended, extended or applied by or under any other enactment including this Act.

(3) Except so far as the context otherwise requires, this Act shall be construed as one with the Merchant Shipping Acts 1894 to 1948, and, without prejudice to the generality of this provision, references in those Acts to the Merchant Shipping Acts shall be construed as including references to this Act.

(4) This Act may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Act 1949, and the Merchant Shipping Acts 1894 to 1948, and this Act may be cited together as the Merchant Shipping Acts 1894 to 1949.

(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F51

Textual Amendments

F51 Ss. 35(3), 37(5) repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1953 (2 & 3 Eliz. 2 c. 5)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5 19.11.1952 appointed under s. 37(1) by S.I. 1952/1418 (1952 II, p. 1729)