The Merchant Shipping (Mandatory Surveys for Ro-Ro Ferry and High Speed Passenger Craft) Regulations 2001

Regular specific surveys and additional surveys

8.—(1) Subject to paragraph (3), the Maritime and Coastguard Agency shall in relation to each vessel carry out the following surveys once in every 12 month period:

(a) where an initial specific survey in accordance with regulation 6 has not been carried out within the 12 month period, a specific survey in accordance with Annex III of the Directive, and

(b) a survey during a regular service, which shall aim to cover enough items listed in Annexes I, III and IV of the Directive in order to satisfy itself that the vessel continues to fulfil all the necessary requirements for safe operation.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the Maritime and Coastguard Agency shall carry out a specific survey in accordance with Annex III of the Directive in relation to any vessel which:

(a) undergoes repairs, alterations and modifications of a major character, or

(b) subject to paragraph (3), changes management, changes flag, or transfers class.

(3) The Maritime and Coastguard Agency may request another Member State or EEA State to or from whose ports a vessel is engaged on a regular service to carry out a survey in accordance with paragraph (1) or (2) in relation to the vessel.

(4) Where the safe operation of the vessel is not affected by the change of management or flag or transfer of class, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, after taking account of verifications and surveys previously issued for the vessel, need not carry out a specific survey as required by paragraph (2)(b).

(5) The Maritime and Coastguard Agency may carry out a specific survey in relation to a vessel at the request of another Member State or EEA State to or from whose ports a vessel is engaged on a regular service.