Explanatory note

Part VIII of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (c.21) confers on the general lighthouse authorities the superintendence and management of all lighthouses, buoys and beacons within their respective areas. Section 223(3) of the Act provides that the Secretary of State may by order provide that references to a beacon in Part VIII shall be construed as including equipment of a specified kind which is intended as an aid to the navigation of ships. This Order specifies equipment provided for broadcasts in the frequency range 156.025 – 162.025 MHz where such equipment forms part of a system for providing information to ships about the type, position and functioning of aids to navigation or for assisting the general lighthouse authorities in the efficient provision of aids to navigation.

A full regulatory impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business is available from the Department for Transport, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR. A copy has also been placed in the Library of each House of Parliament and it may also be accessed on the HMSO website (www.opsi.gov.uk).