Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Merchant Shipping (Registration of Submersible Craft) Regulations 1976 and the Merchant Shipping (Submersible Craft Construction and Survey) Regulations 1981, to bring certain definitions and other provisions into line with the Merchant Shipping (Submersible Craft Operations) Regulations 1987 (S.I. No. 311). In particular the definition of“submersible craft” now excludes diving bells (as defined); the application of the Regulations in connection with submersible craft used outside the United Kingdom or its territorial waters is revised; and there is an exclusion for submersible craft not used commercially.

The Regulations also introduce into the 1981 Regulations a requirement that submersible craft be equipped with medical stores, and can enable survey and certification to be performed by Classification Societies.