Responsibilities of owner and master
23.—(1) The owner and master of a nuclear ship must ensure that—
(a)the ship and its equipment are maintained so that the ship in all respects remains fit to operate without danger to the ship or persons on board;
(b)in the case of a United Kingdom nuclear ship, after a survey of the ship required by regulation 20 (surveys of United Kingdom nuclear ships) has been completed, no change is made in the structural arrangements, machinery, equipment or other items covered by the survey, without the approval of the Certifying Authority;
(c)whenever an accident occurs to the ship or a defect is discovered, either of which affects the safety of the ship, it is reported at the earliest opportunity—
(i)in the case of a United Kingdom nuclear ship—
(aa)to the Certifying Authority and the Secretary of State; and
(bb)if the ship is in a port outside the United Kingdom, to the appropriate authorities of the country in which the port is situated; and
(ii)in the case of a non-United Kingdom ship, to the Secretary of State or a proper officer(1).
(2) If a report is made under paragraph (1)(c)(i)(aa) or paragraph (1)(c)(ii), the Certifying Authority, Secretary of State or proper officer, as the case may be, must determine whether a survey is necessary, and, if so, require one to be carried out.
(3) If the survey referred to in paragraph (2) shows that repairs are required, or if any important repairs or renewals are otherwise made to the ship or its equipment, a further survey must be carried out on the completion of those repairs or renewals.
“Proper officer” is defined in section 313(1) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 and means, in the United Kingdom, a consular officer.