Explanatory note

These Regulations, which apply to United Kingdom passenger ships on short sea trades, require all such ships to carry a book (called the operations book) containing instructions and information for safe and efficient operation. Matters to be covered are listed in the Schedule, but provision is made for items adequately covered by Master’s Standing Orders to be omitted.

The Regulations also require owners to nominate a person (known as the designated person) to oversee the operation of their ships and to ensure that proper provisions are made so that the requirements of the operation book may be complied with. Owners are required to provide the designated person with sufficient authority and resources to carry out his task.

A Master is required generally to operate his ship in accordance with the operations book, but provision is made to ensure that he retains authority to depart from the book if this is necessary in the interests of safety.

The operations book and Master’s Standing Orders (if any) must be made available for inspection by Department of Transport Surveyors. Penalties are provided for breach of the Regulations.