Article 1 Object

This Directive, which is the thirteenth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 89/391/EEC, lays down minimum safety and health requirements applicable to work on board the vessels defined in Article 2.

The provisions of Directive 89/391/EEC are fully applicable to the field referred to in paragraph 1, without prejudice to more stringent and/or specific provisions contained in this Directive.