Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the Merchant Shipping (Tonnage) Regulations 1997 to require a measurement for tonnage of fishing vessels of between 15 or more metres in length overall and 24 metres in length, to be done in the same way as for fishing vessels of 24 metres or more in length, for the purposes of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2930/86 defining the characteristics of fishing vessels (O.J. No. L274, 25.9.1986, p.1) as amended by Council Regulation (EC) No. O.J. 3259/94 L339, 29.12.94, p.11).
The Regulations also amend the Merchant Shipping (Fishing Vessels—Tonnage) Regulations 1988 (which provided for a simplified system of tonnage measurement for small fishing vessels) so that those Regulations will cease to apply for fishing vessels of 15 metres or more in length overall.
A definition of “fixed permanent structure” is included in both the 1988 and 1997 Regulations. The term is used in the definition of “length overall” (and applies both for the purposes of implementation of the Council Regulation and for the measurement of tonnage otherwise than under that Council Regulation).