Explanatory note

These Regulations implement Regulation 8 of Chapter V of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention 1974, which was substituted by the Maritime Safety Committee Resolution MSC 46(65) adopted on 16th May 1995.

The Regulations require United Kingdom ships and non-United Kingdom ships while in United Kingdom waters to comply with mandatory ships’ routeing systems adopted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) pursuant to Regulation 8 of Chapter V of SOLAS which are specified in Admiralty Charts, and Sailing Directions and annotated as “Mandatory Ships’ Routeing System under SOLAS Regulation V/8”.

Admiralty Charts and Sailing Directions are obtainable from branded Admiralty distributors as listed in the Catalogue of Admiralty Charts and Other Hydrographic Publications (available from the Hydrographic Office, Admiralty Way, Taunton, Somerset TA1 2DN). Regulation 8 of Chapter V of SOLAS is obtainable from the International Maritime Organisation, 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR.

A compliance cost assessment has been prepared and copies can be obtained from the Marine Information Centre of the Marine Safety Agency, Department of Transport, Spring Place, 105 Commercial Road, Southampton SO15 1EG. A copy has been placed in the library of each House of Parliament.