Article 4 Amendment of principal Rules

For Rule 1(2) there shall be substituted:—

“(2)

(a)

Subject to sub-paragraph (b) below, these Rules apply to every mechanically propelled sea-going vessel registered in the United Kingdom under Part II of the Register of Ships maintained in accordance with Part II of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.

(b)

Where a heading of a Rule refers to additional requirements for certain fishing vessels, that Rule shall apply only to such fishing vessels of that length (except that a reference to vessels of 15 metres in length or over shall not apply to fishing vessels constructed before 23rd November 1995 of less than 18 metres in length) and shall come into force:

(i)

for fishing vessels with a length of 15 metres or over which were constructed on or after 23rd November 1995, on 1st May 1998;

(ii)

for fishing vessels with a length of 18 metres or over which were constructed before 23rd November 1995, insofar as the structural characteristics permit, on 23rd November 2002.

(c)

For the purposes of sub-paragraph (b) above:

(i)

a vessel for which a building or major conversion contract was placed before 23rd November 1995 and which is delivered before 23rd November 1998 shall be regarded as constructed before 23rd November 1995; and

(ii)

“length” means length between perpendiculars.”.