The Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ships) (Safety Code for UK Categorised Waters) Regulations 2010

Continuing responsibilities of the owner and the master

17.—(1) The owner and the master of a ship must ensure that—

(a) the structure of the ship is maintained in a satisfactory condition fit for the purpose for which the ship is intended; and

(b) the mandatory safety requirements, any terms specified in an exemption granted under regulation 4, or any alternative that has been permitted under regulation 5, are and continue to be met.

(2) The owner and the master of a ship must ensure that after any survey of the ship required by these Regulations has been completed no change, except by way of direct replacement, is made to the ship or to any of the machinery, arrangements, appliances, systems, equipment or other matters covered by the survey of the ship without the approval of a surveyor.

(3) Whenever—

(a) an accident occurs to a ship, or

(b) a defect is discovered in a ship,

which substantially affects the safety of the ship the owner and the master must report that accident or defect at the earliest opportunity to the Secretary of State and (where different) to the certifying authority that issued the Partial Declaration of Survey of a Passenger Ship in respect of the ship.

(4) Whenever an accident or defect is reported to the Secretary of State in accordance with paragraph (3), the Secretary of State must cause an investigation to be initiated to determine whether an additional survey is necessary.