Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Merchant Shipping (Reporting Requirements for Ships Carrying Dangerous or Polluting Goods) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/2498) and the Merchant Shipping (Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Reporting Requirements) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/2110). These Regulations implement Article 2.2(b) of Directive 2002/59/EC of the European Parliament and Council of the 27th June 2002 establishing a community vessel traffic monitoring and information system and repealing Council Directive 93/75/EEC.

The effect of the amendments is to—

• apply the 2004 regulations to fishing vessels and traditional ships with a length of 45 metres and above (regulation 3(a) and (b)) with consequential amendments to the definition of “length” (regulation 3(c)),

• amend the 1995 regulations correspondingly so that they continue to apply only to fishing vessels and traditional ships to which the 2004 regulations do not apply (regulation 2),

• require the notification by port authorities to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency of entry into port under the 2004 regulations to be made by electronic means whenever this is practicable (regulation 3(d)), and

• clarify when a disclosure of information under the 2004 Regulations may be lawfully made (regulation 3(e)).

A full impact assessment of the effect that the instrument will have on the costs of business and the voluntary sector is available from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Spring Place, 105 Commercial Road, Southampton SO15 and is annexed to the Explanatory Memorandum which is available alongside the instrument on the OPSI website (www.opsi.gov.uk). A copy has been placed in the library of each House of Parliament.