(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations revoke, and re-enact with amendments, the Merchant Shipping (Crew Agreements, Lists of Crew and Discharge of Seamen) Regulations 1972 as amended.
The amendments principally end certain requirements under the 1972 Regulations:—
(a)the requirement to notify superintendents of the intention to open a crew agreement;
(b)the requirement to deliver a copy of the crew agreement to a superintendent or proper officer;
(c)the requirement to notify superintendents and proper officers of crew changes;
(d)the requirement to notify superintendents and consuls of the intention to discharge seafarers unless a wage dispute is pending.
In addition to fixed term crew agreements, Regulations 6 and 20 also now provide for indefinite crew agreements.
A new regulation (regulation 18) will give the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen the right to demand from the owner the list of crew on board the vessel on a given date.