These Regulations amend the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Survey and Certification) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1785) to implement the amendments of 2016 to the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (“the 2016 amendments”), approved at the 105th session of the International Labour Conference (the “ILC”) on 9th June 2016.

The paragraphs inserted into regulation 10 by these Regulations allow a certifying authority of the United Kingdom to extend the period of validity of a Maritime Labour Certificate by up to 5 months where a renewal survey has been completed but a new Maritime Labour Certificate cannot be immediately issued and made available on board the ship. Where the certifying authority exercises its power under the inserted paragraphs it must endorse the extended Maritime Labour Certificate accordingly. The new Maritime Labour Certificate must be issued as being valid from the original date of expiry (as defined) of the existing certificate.

The 2016 amendments may be downloaded from the website of the International Labour Organisation at the following address: http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_norm/---relconf/documents/meetingdocument/wcms_488452.pdf. Hard copies can be obtained by writing to the Seafarer Safety and Health Manager, The Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Spring Place, 105 Commercial Road, Southampton, SO15 1EG.

The Maritime Labour Convention may be downloaded from the website of the International Labour Organisation at www.ilo.org/global/standards/maritime-labour-convention/lang--en/index.htm. Copies of the Maritime Labour Convention may be obtained as a priced publication from www.tsoshop.co.uk, by post from TSO Customer Services, PO Box 29, Norwich, NR3 1GN, tel: +44 (0) 333 202 5070.

An impact assessment has not been produced for these Regulations as no impact, or no significant impact, on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen. An Explanatory Memorandum is available alongside the instrument on the UK legislation website, www.legislation.gov.uk, or from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency at the address above.