Explanatory note

Ships of Class X, i.e. of fishing boats, of 60 feet in length or over are required by the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Rules 1965 to carry portable radio equipment. Such equipment must comply either with Rule 26 of the Merchant Shipping (Radio) (Fishing Boats) Rules 1965 or with a Performance Specification issued by the Postmaster General.

These rules amend the Life-Saving Appliances Rules by substituting a new Performance Specification issued by the Postmaster General in place of that specified in the Rules.

They also amend Part I of Schedule 12 of the Rules by specifying a figure of 310 lbs. in place of 200 lbs. as the load which the tapes of life-jackets must be capable of taking, and requiring such tapes to comply with a specified British Standards Specification.