Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Merchant Shipping (Seamen's Wages and Accounts) Regulations 1972 by authorising a deduction from the wages of a seaman (who is employed under a crew agreement, approved by the Secretary of State, to which the National Maritime Board agreement on disciplinary procedures applies) who has committed one of the acts of misconduct set out in paragraph 9 of a National Maritime Board publication entitled “Code of Conduct for the Merchant Navy” published in 1978 by the Board and obtainable from its office at 17/18 Bury Street, London E.C.3. The deduction is a contribution, of an amount provided for in the crew agreement, towards the seaman's repatriation expenses incurred by his employer. The seaman's employer, or the master on his behalf, must give the seaman a notice of deduction in respect of this contribution.

Consequential amendments are being made by the following Regulations which will come into operation at the same time as these Regulations: the Merchant Shipping (Official Log Books) (Amendment) Regulations 1978 (S.I. 1978/1755); the Merchant Shipping (Crew Agreements, Lists of Crew and Discharge of Seamen) (Amendment) Regulations 1978 (S.I. 1978/1756); the Merchant Shipping (Seaman's Documents) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations 1978 (S.I. 1978/1758); and the Merchant Shipping (Disciplinary Offences) (Amendment) Regulations 1978 (S.I. 1978/1754).