The Merchant Shipping (Local Passenger Vessels)(Masters' Licences and Hours, Manning and Training) Regulations 1993

Additional crew

14.—(1) It shall be the duty of an owner of a vessel to which this regulation applies to notify in writing to the Secretary of State—

(a) the geographical limits within which he proposes that the vessel be navigated;

(b) the number of crewmen in addition to the master whom the owner considers it appropriate that the vessel should carry when being navigated within the geographical limits so notified; and

(c) whether the owner considers it appropriate that, when the vessel is being so navigated, a crewman should be the holder of a licence of any grade under Part II of these Regulations.

(2) The Secretary of State may approve—

(a) the number of crewmen notified in accordance with paragraph (1)(b) above; and

(b) that a crewman is to be or that no crewman need be the holder of a licence, in accordance with a notification under paragraph (1)(c) above.

(3) A vessel to which this regulation applies shall not proceed on a voyage or excursion unless—

(a) the Secretary of State has been notified in accordance with paragraph (1) above;

(b) the Secretary of State has given an approval in accordance with paragraph (2) above; and

(c) the manning of the vessel is in accordance with the approval given under paragraph (2) above.

(4) Any approval given under this regulation shall be in writing and shall specify the date on which it takes effect and the conditions (if any) on which it is given.

(5) If any provision in paragraph (3) above is contravened the owner and master shall each be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

(6) It shall be a defence to a charge under this regulation to prove that the person charged took all reasonable steps to avoid commission of the offence.