The Merchant Shipping (Small Workboats and Pilot Boats) Regulations 1998

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations revoke the Merchant Shipping (Pilot Boats) Regulations 1991 and re-enact them with amendments. In addition the Regulations make provision in respect of small workboats generally.

In relation to pilot boats, the Regulations provide that they shall comply with the Code of Practice “The Safety of Small Workboats and Pilot Boats—A Code of Practice”. The substantive provisions of this Code of Practice are largely the same as those under the 1991 Regulations. The principal changes are in relation to certification, in particular in relation to the certification of workboats which are used as pilot boats on an occasional basis.

In relation to small workboats, the Regulations provide that such vessels may, as an alternative to complying with the instruments specified in the Schedule to these Regulations, comply with the requirements of the above Code of Practice (regulation 5(1)).

A compliance cost assessment has been prepared and copies can be obtained from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Spring Place, 105 Commercial Road, Southampton SO15 1EG (telephone: [phone]). A copy has been placed in the library of each House of Parliament.

The Code of Practice referred to in these Regulations may be obtained from Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. Merchant Shipping Notices may be obtained from Eros Marketing Support Services, Unit B, Imber Court Trading Estate, Orchard Lane, East Molesley, Surrey KT8 0BN.

These Regulations and the Code of Practice have been notified to the European Commission pursuant to Directive 83/189/EEC of 28 March 1983 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations (OJ 1983 L 109, p.8) as amended by Council Directive 88/182/EEC of 22 March 1988 (OJ 1988 L 81, p.75) and European Parliament and Council Directive 94/10/EEC of 23 March 1994 (OJ 1994 L 100, p.30).