Explanatory note

These Regulations consolidate with amendments the Merchant Shipping (Tonnage) Regulations 1982, as amended.

The Regulations re-enact those provisions of the earlier Regulations relating to the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships 1969 (Cmnd. 4332) (Part II), and the calculation of tonnage for pleasure vessels of less than 13.7 metres in length (Part III).

The Regulations simplify the earlier tonnage requirements for ships of less than 24 metres in length by adopting a method of tonnage computation, previously restricted to those pleasure vessels of less than 13.7 metres in length, for all ships under 24 metres in length other than fishing vessels.

The Regulations deal with the tonnage computation of segregated ballast oil tankers, and with the use of gross tonnage which has been ascertained under previous Regulations.

The Regulations enable the Secretary of State to authorise persons to act as Certifying Authorities for the purpose of the Regulations. Currently so authorised are Lloyd’s Register of Shipping, the British Committee of Bureau Veritas, the British Committee of Det Norske Veritas, the British Committee of Germanischer Lloyd: the British Committee of Registro Italiano Navale and the British Technical Committee of the American Bureau of Shipping.

The Conventions and Protocols referred to in the Regulations may be obtained from the International Maritime Organisation, 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 75R.