(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order amends the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Oil Pollution) Order 1983, which enabled regulations to be made giving effect to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973 and its Protocol of 1978.
The amendment enables such regulations to include provisions corresponding to sections 19(4A), 19A and 20 of the Prevention of Oil Pollution Act 1971. These sections were amended or inserted by the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and contain provisions enabling the service of documents in connection with proceedings against owners of foreign owned ships, and the detention of such ships unless (inter alia) security to meet possible fines for certain oil pollution offences is put up.