Explanatory note

This Order makes provision for the registration as British ships, for the purposes of the Merchant Shipping Acts 1894 to 1988 (the Acts), of a special class of Government ships, namely sailing yachts belonging to the Secretary of State for Defence and in the service of the Ministry of Defence.

The registration of such yachts and the application of the Acts to them and other Ministry of Defence ships was previously provided for by the Merchant Shipping (Ministry of Defence Ships) Order 1989 (the 1989 Order). Paragraphs 1 to 3 of article 3 of this Order amend the 1989 Order to exclude from it provision for such yachts. Paragraphs 4 and 5 of article 3 make minor textual amendments to the 1989 Order.

Articles 4 to 7 make regulations as to registry.

Articles 8 to 13 make certain exceptions and modifications to the Acts as respect Ministry of Defence yachts.

By virtue of article 14 a yacht registered under the 1989 Order is deemed to be registered under this Order.