The Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) Order 2023

Article 14

SCHEDULE 2Application of other shipping provisions in relation to watercraft

Application of the Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996

1.  The Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996(1) apply in relation to watercraft as they apply in relation to ships, as if—

(a)in paragraph (1)(a) of regulation 2 (application)—

(i)the reference to United Kingdom ships includes a reference to watercraft registered in the United Kingdom under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, and

(ii)the reference to other ships includes a reference to other watercraft;

(b)the references in regulation 5 (exemptions) to any ship or description of ships includes a reference to any watercraft or description of watercraft;

(c)any reference to a master includes a reference to any person for the time being using a watercraft.

Application of the Merchant Shipping (EPIRB Registration) Regulations 2000

2.—(1) The following provisions of the Merchant Shipping (EPIRB Registration) Regulations 2000(2) apply in relation to watercraft as they apply in relation to ships.

(2) Regulation 2 (interpretation), for the purposes of interpreting an applied shipping provision mentioned in this paragraph.

(3) Regulation 4 (competent authority).

(4) Regulation 5 (requirement for EPIRBs to be registered), as if—

(a)in paragraph (1) the reference to every United Kingdom ship includes a reference to every watercraft in United Kingdom waters;

(b)for paragraph (2) there were substituted—

“(2) The registered particulars referred to in paragraph (1) are the following—

(a)EPIRB identification code (if applicable) and its homing frequency;

(b)country where the watercraft is registered;

(c)brief description of the watercraft, including its type and identifying marks;

(d)name, address, telephone and (if applicable) telefax number of emergency contact person ashore;

(e)alternative 24-hour emergency contact telephone number (alternative contact ashore);

(f)capacity of watercraft for carrying persons;

(g)date of last modification of registered particulars.”.

(5) Regulation 6 (change in registered particulars).

(6) Regulation 7 (offences), as if the references to the owner and operator of the ship included reference to the owner (but not the operator) of the watercraft.

(7) Regulation 8 (defence).