7.—(1) The Secretary of State may exempt a ship which has constructional features which render the application of any of the provisions of—
(a)Chapters 3 and 4 of Annex I; or
(b)section 1.2 of part II-A of the Polar Code,
relating to construction or equipment unreasonable or impractical, provided the Secretary of State is satisfied that the construction and equipment of any such ship provides equivalent protection from pollution by oil, having regard to the service for which that ship is intended.
(2) The particulars of any exemption granted under paragraph (1) must be indicated in the IOPP or UKOPP certificate issued under regulation 12 or 13.
(3) Subject to paragraph (5) the Secretary of State may exempt any ship or any description of ship from any of the provisions of these Regulations.
(4) An exemption by the Secretary of State is valid only if given in writing and may be—
(a)given subject to such conditions and limitations as the Secretary of State may specify; and
(b)altered or cancelled by a notice given in writing by the Secretary of State.
(5) An exemption under paragraph (3) may be granted only if the exemption is compatible with requirements under Annex I.
(6) In this regulation “in writing” includes the provision of such communication by electronic mail, facsimile or similar means which are capable of producing a document containing the text of any communication.