Regulation 7 Amendment of the Merchant Shipping (Tonnage) Regulations 1997

After regulation 15 (ascertainment of tonnage and certification) insert—

“Inspection

15A.

(1)

Subject to paragraph (2), a non-United Kingdom ship is subject to inspection by the Secretary of State when it is in a United Kingdom port for the purpose of verifying that—

(a)

a valid International Tonnage Certificate (1969) has been issued in relation to the ship, and

(b)

the main characteristics of the ship correspond with the information contained in the certificate.

(2)

The inspection may not cause any delay to the ship.

(3)

In the event that the inspection reveals that the main characteristics of the ship do not correspond with the information contained in its International Tonnage Certificate (1969) to the effect that the gross tonnage or net tonnage exceeds the value recorded in the certificate, the Secretary of State must without delay notify in writing the Government of the State whose flag the ship is flying of this determination.

(4)

The requirement that the notification referred to in paragraph (3) should be in writing is satisfied where the text of a notification is—

(a)

transmitted by electronic means,

(b)

received in legible form, and

(c)

capable of being used for subsequent reference.”.