Explanatory note

These Regulations implement Commission Directive 2016/844/EU (OJ L 141, 28.5.2016, p.51) (“the Commission Directive”), which amends Directive 2009/45/EC (OJ L 163, 25.6.2009, p.1) (“the 2009 Directive”) on safety rules and standards for passenger ships. The Commission Directive makes several technical amendments to Annex I of the 2009 Directive.

Regulations 2, 3 and 4 each replace the definition of the 2009 Directive in order to incorporate the technical amendments to the 2009 Directive made by the Commission Directive. Regulation 2 makes this amendment in the Merchant Shipping (Survey and Certification) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/508) (“the 2015 Regulations”). Regulation 3 does the same in the Merchant Shipping (Technical Requirements for Inland Waterway Vessels) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1075) and Regulation 4 does the same in the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ships on Domestic Voyages) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/2687) (“the 2000 Regulations”). This change is made in conjunction with a new Marine Guidance Note, MGN 572, “Safety Rules and Standards for Seagoing Domestic Passenger Ships: Directive (EU) 2016/844 Amendments”, which is available online at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mgn-572-m-safety-rules-and-standards-for-seagoing-domestic-passenger-ships and is available for inspection at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, 105 Commercial Rd, Southampton SO15 1EG.

Regulation 2 inserts a slightly revised definition of “pleasure vessel” in the 2015 Regulations. Regulation 4 replaces previous definitions of “EEA State” and “EEA Agreement” with the definition of “EEA State” used in the Interpretation Act 1978, and replaces Regulation 2(2A) in the 2000 Regulations.

The Explanatory Memorandum published alongside this instrument is available on the website http://www.legislation.gov.uk. Copies are available for inspection at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, at the address above.