Explanatory note

These Regulations revoke and replace the Wireless Telegraphy (Colonial Ships and Aircraft) Regulations 1954 (S.I. 1954/539) and the Wireless Telegraphy (Foreign Ships and Aircraft) Regulations 1954 (S.I. 1954/540).

Section 6 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 (c. 54), as amended by section 9 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967 (c. 72), empowers the Secretary of State to make regulations for regulating the use, within the limits of the United Kingdom and her territorial waters, of wireless telegraphy apparatus on board ships and aircraft which, not being registered in the United Kingdom, are registered in a country other than the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands. Section 6, as amended, has been extended by various Orders in Council to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

These Regulations contain provisions for regulating the use of wireless telegraphy apparatus on board any such ship or aircraft (defined in regulation 3(1) as a “visiting ship” or “visiting aircraft”) within the said limits with respect to interference (regulation 4) and communication with land stations (regulation 5). The Regulations also provide for inspection and restrictions on use of such apparatus (regulation 7) and penalties for offences against their provisions (regulation 8).

A full regulatory impact assessment report of the effect that these Regulations would have on the costs of business is available to the public from the Radiocommunications Agency Library at New King’s Beam House, 22 Upper Ground, London SE1 9SA (Tel: 0171-211 0211).