Published on: 15 April 2020
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has released the fourth edition of the Domestic Passenger Ship Steering Group (DPSSG) newsletter, produced by the Ship Standards Branch for the MCA.
Key points from the newsletter include:
Existing Ships Review (Grandfathering) - The proposed legislation to implement the review of standards for older passenger ships (colloquially known as the “Grandfather Rights” legislation) is proceeding through the legislative process.
Covid-19 Business Rate Relief – The MCA would like to draw your attention to the Local Government Association guidance on business rate relief which may be relevant to some operators. To view, click here. Please note that queries will need to be directed to the Local Authority concerned, as application is a matter for individual Local Authorities
Amendments to Directive 2009/45/EC on safety rules and standards for passenger ships - The amendments in Directive 2017/2108/EU include the removal of small ships (under 24m) from the scope of the EU Domestic Passenger Ships Directive (Directive 2009/45/EC (as amended)). The UK is working to implement Directive 2017/2108/EU permanently into UK law, but in the meantime is implementing this change by means of transitional arrangements involving exemptions, which are explained in MGN 622(M) here. The UK is currently working to transpose Directive 2017/2108/EU and will consult with industry on the amending legislation in due course.
Implementation of Directive 2017/2109/EU to amend Directive 2010/65/EU (as amended) on Passenger Counting - There are further developments in the EU on Passenger Counting Directive 2017/2109/EU (click here) was developed as part of the European Commission's REFIT programme, and amends Directive 2010/65/EU (click here). Work is progressing in the MCA to consider options relating to implementation of this amending Directive into UK law. The changes will not become mandatory until 2023. The main changes which the new Directive brings about are to shorten the reporting timeframe (from 30 to 15 minutes) and to require reporting to happen digitally to the relevant authorities via the National Single Window (NSW), or alternatively by AIS. The UK position on implementation has not yet been decided and a public consultation will take place prior to any final decisions on implementation being made.
Health and Safety - Updated guidance on the protection of crews from the risks from exposure to carcinogens and mutagens at work has been published in MGN 624(M+F) click here. The MGN includes amendments to the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels Health and Safety at Work) (Carcinogens and Mutagens) Regulations 2007, introduced in January 2020, which came to force on 2 March 2020.
Reminder – DSM Self-Assessment - Please make sure that the Domestic Safety Management (DSM) self-assessment reports are sent on time to the MCA to avoid additional audits. The self-assessments need to be carried out once a year and the interval between self-assessments should not exceed 12 months. The reports should be sent to the relevant MCA Marine Office, preferably within two weeks of completion of the self-assessment.
British Marine members can download the full DPSSG newsletter Here