Amendment to the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction: Ships of Classes III to VI(A)) Regulations 1998

3.—(1) The Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction: Ships of Classes III to VI(A)) Regulations 1998(1) are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 2(1) (interpretation)—

(a)in the definition of “every other ship”, after “means” insert “, subject to regulation 3B(2),”;

(b)in the definition of “factor of subdivision”, after “means” insert “, subject to regulation 3B(2),”.

(3) After regulation 3A insert—

“3B.—(1) The amendments made to these Regulations by regulation 3(4) to (8) of the Merchant Shipping (Safety Standards for Passenger Ships on Domestic Voyages) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2022 do not apply to a ship until the date of that ship’s first survey after the second anniversary of the date on which those Regulations came into force.

(2) The amendments made to Merchant Shipping Notice 1699 (M) by Amendment 3 do not apply to a ship until the date of that ship’s first survey after the anniversary specified in paragraph (1).

(3) For the purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2), “survey” means the ship’s renewal survey as required by regulation 6(3)(b) of the Merchant Shipping (Survey and Certification) Regulations 2015.”.

(4) In regulation 32 (standard of survivability), at the beginning insert “Subject to regulation 3B(2) (application),”.

(5) In regulation 40 (general), in paragraph (2), for “4(3)” substitute “5(3)”.

(6) In regulation 41 (number and type of bilge pumps), at the beginning insert “Subject to regulation 3B(2) (application),”.

(7) In regulation 42 (requirements for bilge pumps and bilge suctions), at the beginning insert “Subject to regulation 3B(2) (application),”.

(8) After regulation 42 insert—

“Requirement for bilge alarms

42A.—(1) Subject to regulation 3B, every ship shall be fitted, at each of the locations listed in paragraph (2), with an alarm capable of detecting the presence of water in the bilges (“bilge alarm”) in accordance with Schedule 6 to Merchant Shipping Notice 1699 (M)(2).

(2) The locations are—

(a)any machinery space; and

(b)any other space where water in the bilges is likely to accumulate.

(3) A bilge alarm fitted to meet the requirements of this regulation shall include—

(a)an audible, and a separate visual, warning at the control position for each space in which an alarm is fitted; and

(b)an audible alarm which, once activated, continues to sound until it is acknowledged by positive action and shall not automatically cease sounding of its own accord.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3), “control position” means the area from which the command and navigation of the ship is carried out.”.