(This note is not part of the Rules)
These Rules amend the Merchant Shipping (Load Line) Rules 1968. The types of ships for which stability information may be approved by an Assigning Authority, other than the Secretary of State, are extended to include ships which are mobile offshore units as defined in these Rules and in paragraph 1.3 of Chapter 1 of the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units adopted by the International Maritime Organisation, and ships which are mobile offshore support units including accommodation units, crane barges and other types of column stabilised units.
The Merchant Shipping (Load Line) (Amendment) Rules 1980, which are superseded by these Rules, are revoked.