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Merchant Shipping (Safety And Load Line Conventions) Act 1932

22 & 23 Geo. 5 c. 9 · Enacted 17 March 1932 · Extends to United Kingdom

Up to date with all changes known to legislation.gov.uk, revised to 1 January 1996.

An Act to give effect to an International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, signed in London on the thirty-first day of May, nineteen hundred and twenty-nine, to give effect to an International Load Line Convention signed in London on the fifth day of July, nineteen hundred and thirty, and to amend the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Acts 1894 to 1928, relating to passenger steamers life-saving appliances, wireless telegraphy, load lines, timber cargoes, and other matters affected by the said Conventions.

[17th March 1932]

C1C2C3C4I1Whereas a Convention (in this Act referred to as “the Safety Convention”) which is set out in the First Schedule to this Act, was signed on behalf of the Government of the United Kingdom in London on the thirty-first day of May, nineteen hundred and twenty-nine, for promoting safety of life at sea by establishing in common agreement uniform principles and rules directed thereto:

And whereas a Convention (in this Act referred to as “the Load Line Convention”) which is set out in the Second Schedule to this Act, was signed on behalf of the Government of the United Kingdom in London on the fifth day of July, nineteen hundred and thirty, for promoting safety of life and property at sea, by establishing in common agreement uniform principles and rules with regard to the limits to which ships on international voyages may be loaded:

And whereas it is expedient to give effect to the said Conventions and to amend the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Acts 1894 to 1928, relating to passenger steamers, life-saving appliances, wireless telegraphy, load lines, timber cargoes and other matters affected by the said Conventions:

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Functions of the Board of Trade under this Act became exercisable concurrently by the Secretary of State: S.I. 1970/1537, art. 2; ceased to be exercisable by the Board of Trade: S.I. 1983/1127, art. 2(4)

C2

Act amended by S.I. 1983/708, regs. 1(3)(4)(b), 2

C3

Act modified by Merchant Shipping Act 1988 (c. 12, SIF 111), s. 47(2)(b), (with s. 58(4), Sch. 8 para. 1) and by S.I. 1989/1991, art. 10

C4

Act excluded by S.I. 1989/1991, arts. 11–14

Commencement

I1

Act partly in force at Royal Assent, Act wholly in force at 1.1.1933 by 1932/917

Contents

  1. Part I: Safety of Life at Sea
  2. 1–4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  3. 5Amendments of Merchant Shipping Acts as to life-saving appliances.
  4. Wireless Telegraphy
  5. 6, 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  6. 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  7. 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  8. 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  9. Certificates
  10. 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  11. 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  12. 13–21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  13. Miscellaneous Provisions for further Safety of Life at Sea
  14. 22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  15. 23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  16. 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  17. 25, 26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  18. 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  19. 28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  20. 29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  21. 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  22. 31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  23. 32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  24. Supplemental
  25. 33–35. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  26. 36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  27. 37, 38. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  28. 39. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  29. Part II
  30. 40–61. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  31. Supplemental.
  32. 62Amendment of ss. 436 and 454 of the principal Act.
  33. 63–67. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  34. Part III: General
  35. 68. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  36. 69. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  37. 70–72. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  38. 73. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  39. 74. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  40. Schedule FIRST: International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1929
  41. Part Chapter I.—Preliminary
  42. Article 1Chapter Article 1
  43. Chapter Article 2
  44. Applications and Definitions
  45. 1Paragraph 1
  46. 2Paragraph 2
  47. 3Paragraph 3
  48. 4Paragraph 4
  49. Chapter Article 3
  50. Cases of Force Majeure
  51. Part Chapter II.—Construction
  52. Chapter Article 4
  53. Application
  54. 5Paragraph 5
  55. 6Paragraph 6
  56. 7Paragraph 7
  57. Chapter Article 5
  58. Watertight Subdivision of Ships
  59. Chapter Article 6
  60. Peak and Machinery Space Bulkheads, Shaft Tunnels, &c.
  61. Chapter Article 7
  62. Construction, Testing, &c.
  63. Chapter Article 8
  64. Stability Test
  65. Chapter Article 9
  66. Entries in the Official Log Book
  67. Chapter Article 10
  68. Initial and Subsequent Surveys of Ships
  69. Part Chapter III.—Life-saving Appliances, &c.
  70. Chapter Article 11
  71. Interpretation
  72. Chapter Article 12
  73. Application
  74. Chapter Article 13
  75. Lifeboats and Buoyant Apparatus
  76. Chapter Article 14
  77. Ready Availability and Adequacy
  78. Chapter Article 15
  79. Standard types of Boats. Life Rafts. Buoyant Apparatus
  80. Chapter Article 16
  81. Construction of Boats
  82. Chapter Article 17
  83. Embarkation of the Passengers in the Boats
  84. Chapter Article 18
  85. Capacity of Boats and Life Rafts
  86. Chapter Article 19
  87. Equipment of Boats and Life Rafts
  88. Chapter Article 20
  89. Life-jackets and Life-buoys
  90. Chapter Article 21
  91. Means of Ingress and Egress. Emergency Lighting
  92. Chapter Article 22
  93. Certificated Lifeboatmen. Manning of the Boats
  94. Chapter Article 23
  95. Line-throwing Appliances
  96. Chapter Article 24
  97. Dangerous Goods. Fire Protection
  98. Chapter Article 25
  99. Muster Roll and Drills
  100. Part Chapter IV.—Radiotelegraphy
  101. Chapter Article 26
  102. Application and Definition
  103. Chapter Article 27
  104. Fitting of Radio Installation
  105. Chapter Article 28
  106. Exemptions from the Requirements of Article 27
  107. Chapter Annex to Article 28
  108. 8Paragraph 8
  109. 9Paragraph 9
  110. 10Paragraph 10
  111. 11Paragraph 11
  112. Chapter Article 29
  113. Watches
  114. 1.Passenger ShipsParagraph 1.Passenger Ships
  115. 2.Cargo ShipsParagraph 2.Cargo Ships
  116. Chapter Article 30
  117. Watchers
  118. Chapter Article 31
  119. Technical Requirements
  120. 12Paragraph 12
  121. 13Paragraph 13
  122. 14Paragraph 14
  123. 15Paragraph 15
  124. 16Paragraph 16
  125. 17Paragraph 17
  126. Chapter Article 32
  127. Competence
  128. Part Chapter V.—Safety of Navigation
  129. Chapter Article 33
  130. Application
  131. Chapter Article 34
  132. Danger Messages
  133. Chapter Article 35
  134. Meteorological Services
  135. Chapter Article 36
  136. Ice Patrol. Derelicts
  137. Chapter Article 37
  138. Ice Patrol. Management and Cost
  139. Chapter Article 38
  140. Speed near Ice
  141. Chapter Article 39
  142. North Atlantic Routes
  143. Chapter Article 40
  144. Collision Regulations
  145. Chapter Article 41
  146. Helm Orders
  147. Chapter Article 42
  148. Misuse of Distress Signals
  149. Chapter Article 43
  150. Alarm, Distress and Urgency Signals
  151. Chapter Article 44
  152. Speed of Distress Messages
  153. Chapter Article 45
  154. Distress Messages. Procedure
  155. Chapter Article 46
  156. Signalling Lamp
  157. Chapter Article 47
  158. Direction-finding Apparatus
  159. Chapter Article 48
  160. Manning
  161. Part Chapter VI.—Certificates
  162. Chapter Article 49
  163. Issue of Certificates
  164. Chapter Article 50
  165. Issue of Certificate by another Government
  166. Chapter Article 51
  167. Form of Certificates
  168. Chapter Article 52
  169. Duration of Certificates
  170. Chapter Article 53
  171. Acceptance of Certificates
  172. Chapter Article 54
  173. Control
  174. Chapter Articles 55
  175. Privileges
  176. Chapter Article 56
  177. Qualification of Certificate
  178. Part Chapter VII.—General Provisions
  179. Chapter Article 57
  180. Equivalents
  181. Chapter Article 58
  182. Laws, Regulations, Reports
  183. Chapter Article 59
  184. Measures taken after Agreement
  185. Chapter Article 60
  186. Prior Treaties and Conventions
  187. Chapter Article 61
  188. Modifications. Future Conferences
  189. Part Chapter VIII.—Final Provisions
  190. Chapter Article 62
  191. Application to Colonies, &c.
  192. Chapter Article 63
  193. Authentic Texts. Ratification
  194. Chapter Article 64
  195. Accession
  196. Chapter Article 65
  197. Date of coming in Force
  198. Chapter Article 66
  199. Denunciation
  200. ANNEX IRegulations
  201. Chapter Regulation I
  202. Definitions
  203. Chapter Regulation II
  204. Floodable Length
  205. Chapter Regulation III
  206. Permeability
  207. Chapter Regulation Iv
  208. Permissible Length of Compartments
  209. Chapter Regulation V
  210. Special Rules concerning Subdivision
  211. Chapter Regulation VI
  212. Peak and Machinery Space Bulkheads, Shaft Tunnels, &c.
  213. Chapter Regulation VII
  214. Assigning, Marking and Recording of Subdivision Loadlines
  215. Chapter Regulation VIII
  216. Construction and Initial Testing of Watertight Bulkheads, &c.
  217. Chapter Regulation IX
  218. Openings in Watertight Bulkheads
  219. Chapter Regulation X
  220. Openings in Ship’s Sides below the Margin Line
  221. Chapter Regulation XI
  222. Construction and Initial Tests of Watertight Doors, Sidescuttles, &c.
  223. Chapter Regulation XII
  224. Construction and Initial Tests of Watertight Decks, Trunks, &c.
  225. Chapter Regulation XIII
  226. Periodical Operation and Inspection of Watertight Doors, &c.
  227. Chapter Regulation XIV
  228. Entries in the Official Log Book
  229. Chapter Regulation XV
  230. Double Bottoms
  231. Chapter Regulation XVI
  232. Fire-resisting Bulkheads
  233. Chapter Regulation XVII
  234. Side and other Openings, &c., above the Margin Line
  235. Chapter Regulation XVIII
  236. Exits from Watertight Compartments
  237. Chapter Regulation XIX
  238. Pumping Arrangements
  239. Chapter Regulation XX
  240. Power for Going Astern
  241. Chapter Regulation XXI
  242. Auxiliary Steering Apparatus
  243. Chapter Regulation XXII
  244. Initial and Subsequent Surveys of Ships
  245. Chapter Regulation XXIII
  246. Maintenance of Conditions after Survey
  247. Part Life-Saving Appliances, &c.
  248. Chapter Regulation XXIV
  249. Standard Types of Boats
  250. Chapter Regulation XXV
  251. Lifeboats of Class I
  252. (a)
  253. (b)
  254. Chapter Regulation XXVI
  255. Boats of Class II
  256. (a)Open Boats with Internal and External Buoyancy—
  257. Upper Part of Sides collapsible.
  258. (b)
  259. Chapter Regulation XXVII
  260. Motor Boats
  261. Chapter Regulation XXVIII
  262. Life Rafts
  263. Chapter Regulation XXIX
  264. Buoyant Apparatus
  265. Chapter Regulation XXX
  266. Cubic Capacity of Lifeboats of Class I
  267. Chapter Regulation XXXI
  268. Deck Area of Boats of Class II
  269. Chapter Regulation XXXII
  270. Marking of Boats, Life Rafts and Buoyant Apparatus
  271. Chapter Regulation XXXIII
  272. Carrying Capacity of Boats
  273. Chapter Regulation XXXIV
  274. Capacity Limits
  275. Chapter Regulation XXXV
  276. Equivalent for and Weight of the Persons
  277. Chapter Regulation XXXVI
  278. Equipment of Boats and Life Rafts
  279. Chapter Regulations XXXVII
  280. Stowage and Handling of Boats and Life Rafts
  281. Chapter Regulation XXXVIII
  282. Number and Capacity of Boats, Life Rafts, &c., and Davits
  283. Chapter Regulation XXXIX
  284. Table relating to davits and lifeboat capacity
  285. Chapter Regulation XL
  286. Life-Jackets and Life-Buoys
  287. Chapter Regulation XLI
  288. Certificated Lifeboatmen
  289. Chapter Regulation XLII
  290. Manning of Boats
  291. Chapter Regulation XLIII
  292. Fire Detection and Extinction
  293. Chapter Regulation XLIV
  294. Muster List
  295. Chapter Regulation XLV
  296. Musters and Drills
  297. Part Safety of Navigation
  298. Chapter Regulation XLVI
  299. Transmission of Information
  300. Information Required
  301. Examples
  302. Part Certificates
  303. Chapter Regulation XLVII
  304. Form of Safety Certificate for Passenger Ships
  305. Form of Safety Radiotelegraphy Certificate
  306. Form of Exemption Certificate
  307. ANNEX IIInternational Regulations for preventing Collisions at Sea
  308. IPart I
  309. IIPart II
  310. IIIPart III
  311. 1. Stability
  312. 2.
  313. 3.
  314. 4.
  315. 5.
  316. 6.
  317. 7.
  318. 8.
  319. 9.
  320. 10.
  321. 11.
  322. 12.
  323. 13.
  324. 14. Collision Regulations.—Aircraft
  325. 15.
  326. Schedule SECONDSchedule SECOND
  327. Schedule THIRDSchedule THIRD
  328. Schedule FOURTHSchedule FOURTH