Explanatory note

These Regulations implement regulation 15(c) of Chapter V of the Annex to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 (SOLAS) as adopted by the Conference of the Contracting Governments to SOLAS on 29 November 1995.

The Regulations require the owners of passenger ships to prepare a plan, in consultation with the appropriate search and rescue services, setting out the steps to be taken by those on board the ship if the ship requires the assistance of the search and rescue services. The ship must carry this plan at all times. Failure to carry the plan renders the owner guilty of an offence (regulation 8).

A compliance cost assessment has been produced and a copy placed in the library of both Houses of Parliament. Copies can be obtained from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Bay 2/21b Spring Place, 105 Commercial Road, Southampton SO15 1EG (telephone: 01703 329144).

Merchant Shipping Notices are obtainable from Eros Marketing Support Services Ltd, Unit B, Imber Court Trading Estate, Orchard Lane, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 0BN, (telephone number: 0181 957 5028). Copies of SOLAS may be obtained from the International Maritime Organisation, 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR.