The Merchant Shipping (Inspections of Ro-Ro Passenger Ships and High-Speed Passenger Craft) Regulations 2023

Part 1 Specific requirements for ships in regular service

Interpretation

1.  In this Part, the reference to “Annex C of Marine Guidance Note 610 (M+F)(1)” includes a reference to any document amending or replacing that Annex which is considered by the Secretary of State to be relevant from time to time.

Verification of specific requirements

2.  The requirements for a ship in regular service that must be verified are—

(a) that the master—

(i) is provided with information on the availability of shore-based navigational guidance systems and other information schemes to assist the master in the safe conduct of voyages before the ro-ro passenger ship or high-speed passenger craft begins to sail, and

(ii) makes use of the navigational guidance and information schemes referred to in Annex C to Marine Guidance Note 610 (M+F);

(b) that the relevant provisions of paragraphs 2 to 6 of MSC/Circular 699 of 17 July 1995 ‘Revised guidelines for passenger safety instructions’(2) are applied;

(c) that a written table with the shipboard working arrangements is posted in a place that is easily accessible by the crew and officers, and contains—

(i) the schedule of service at sea and service in port, and

(ii) the maximum hours of work or the minimum hours of rest required for watchkeepers;

(d) that the master is not constrained from taking any decision which, in the master’s professional judgement, is necessary for safe navigation and operation, in particular in severe weather and in heavy seas;

(e) that the master keeps a record of navigational activities and incidents which are of importance to the safety of navigation;

(f) that arrangements are in place to ensure that any damage to, or permanent deflection of shell doors and associated hull plating that may affect the integrity of the ro-ro passenger ship or high-speed passenger craft, and any deficiencies in the securing arrangements of such doors—

(i) will be promptly reported to both the administration of the flag State of the ship concerned and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency; and

(ii) if applicable, where any related work to the shell doors and associated hull plating is required that this is carried out promptly and to the satisfaction of the administration of the flag State of the ship concerned and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency;

(g) that an up-to-date voyage plan is available before the departure of the ro-ro passenger ship or high-speed passenger craft on its voyage and that in preparing the voyage plan the guidelines set out in IMO Assembly Resolution A.893(21) of 25 November 1999 ‘Guidelines for voyage planning’(3) are taken fully into account;

(h) that general information about the services and assistance available to elderly and disabled persons on board is made known to such passengers and is made available in formats suitable for people with impaired sight.

(1)

MGN 610 (M+F) Navigation: SOLAS Chapter V – Guidance on the Merchant Shipping (Safety of Navigation) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/673). This guidance is produced by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and may be obtained in copy from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Spring Place, 105 Commercial Road, Southampton SO15 1EG, and on https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/904612/MGN_610_2020.pdf.

(2)

MSC/Circular.699, adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization on 17 July 1995. The Circular may be obtained in copy from the International Maritime Organization of 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR and on https://www.imorules.com/MSCCIRC_699.html.

(3)

The guidelines may be obtained in copy from the International Maritime Organization of 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR and on https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/KnowledgeCentre/IndexofIMOResolutions/AssemblyDocuments/A.893(21).pdf.