New Reporting regulations come into force in April 2005

There are two new sets of regulations coming into force in April 2005.

The Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 2005 No. 881 came into force on 18 April 2005.

These revise and replace the Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 1999 to reflect the current working practices of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB). There is a duty to report accidents and serious injuries to the MAIB. Pleasure vessels are exempt from this legal duty but may act voluntarily to report serious accidents.

The Merchant Shipping (Amendments to Reporting Requirements) Regulations 2005 No. 1092 will come into force on 27 April 2005.

One effect of the amendment regulations is to remove reporting requirements contained in regulation 12 of the Merchant Shipping (Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Reporting Requirements) Regulations 2004 from fishing vessels, traditional ships, recreational craft having a length of less than 45 metres and bunkers of less than 5000 tonnes for use on board ships.The RYA objected to this aspect of the 2004 Regulations on the grounds they were introduced without consultation, they were unduly onerous, they added little, if anything, to safety and went beyond what was necessary to implement the requirements of the UK's international obligations.