The Merchant Shipping (Safety Measures for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel and Special Personnel) Regulations 2025

SCHEDULE Amendments

Regulation 2 Merchant Shipping (Survey and Certification) Regulations 2015 1 The Merchant Shipping (Survey and Certification) Regulations 2015 are amended as follows. 2 In regulation 3 (interpretation)— (a) in paragraph (1)— (i) in the definition of “cargo ship”— (aa) after sub-paragraph (c), omit “or”; (bb) after sub-paragraph (d), insert— (e) high speed cargo craft; or (f) special purpose ship; ; (ii) after the definition of “Chapter XIV”, insert— “Chapter X” means Chapter X in the Annex to the SOLAS Convention (safety measures for high speed craft); ; (iii) in the definition of “Convention Certificate”, at the end insert “, Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate or a Special Purpose Ship Safety Certificate”; (iv) after the definition of “gross tons”, insert— “high speed cargo craft” means a high speed craft carrying not more than 12 passengers; “high speed craft” has the meaning given to it in regulation 1.3 of Chapter X; ; (v) for the definition of “HSC Code”, substitute— “HSC Code” means the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft, 2000 described in regulation 1.2 of Chapter X and includes the amendments adopted by IMO Resolution MSC.537(107); ; (vi) after the definition of “IMO”, insert— “industrial personnel” means a person who is transported or accommodated on board a ship for the purpose of offshore industrial activities performed on board other ships or offshore facilities; “Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate” means the certificate of that description, including the record of equipment, contained in the Appendix to the IP Code, and which confirms that a ship complies with each requirement of the IP Code applicable to it and issued in respect of— a United Kingdom ship pursuant to regulation 13C (issue of Industrial Personnel Safety Certificates in respect of cargo ships and high speed cargo craft); or a ship flying the flag of a State other than the United Kingdom which is a party to the SOLAS Convention, by that State; ; (vii) after the definition of “international voyage”, insert— “IP and SPS Regulations” means the Merchant Shipping (Safety Measures for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel and Special Personnel) Regulations 2025; “IP Code” means the International Code of Safety for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel; ; (viii) after the definition of “mile”, insert— “offshore industrial activities” means the construction, maintenance, decommissioning, operation or servicing of offshore facilities related, but not limited to, exploration and exploitation of resources by the renewable or hydrocarbon energy sectors, aquaculture, ocean mining or similar activities; ; (ix) for the definition of “passenger”, substitute— “passenger” means a person other than— the master and the members of the crew or other persons employed or engaged in any capacity on board a ship on the business of that ship; industrial personnel; special personnel; a child under one year of age; or a person on board the ship either in pursuance of the obligation laid upon the master to carry shipwrecked, distressed or other persons, or by reason of any circumstance which the master, owner or charterer, if any, could not have prevented; ; (x) in the definition of “SOLAS Convention”, for “1974.” substitute “1974;”; (xi) after the definition of “SOLAS Convention”, insert— “special personnel” means a person who is carried on board a ship in connection with the special purpose of that ship or because of special work being carried out on board that ship, but who is not a member of the crew; “special purpose ship” means a ship which is not a passenger ship and which carries on board an aggregate of more than 12 persons consisting of special personnel and passengers where at least one person is special personnel; “Special Purpose Ship Safety Certificate” means the certificate of that description, including the record of equipment, contained in the Appendix to the SPS Code 1983 or the Annex to the SPS Code 2008, whichever is applicable, and which confirms that a ship complies with each requirement of the SPS Code 1983 or the SPS Code 2008, as the case may be, applicable to it and issued in respect of— a United Kingdom ship pursuant to regulation 13D (issue of Special Purpose Ship Safety Certificate); or a ship flying the flag of a State other than the United Kingdom which is a party to the SOLAS Convention; “SPS Code 1983” means the Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships, 1983, and includes the amendments adopted by IMO Resolution MSC.542(107); “SPS Code 2008” means the Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships, 2008, and includes the amendments adopted by IMO Resolution MSC.543(107); “statement of compliance” is a document which— in the case of a United Kingdom ship, confirms compliance by the ship with each requirement of Chapters 2 to 9 of the SPS Code 1983 or Chapters 2 to 9 of the SPS Code 2008 that applies to it and is provided by a Certifying Authority; or in the case of a ship which is not a United Kingdom ship, confirms compliance with each requirement of Chapters 2 to 9 of the SPS Code 1983 or Chapters 2 to 9 of the SPS Code 2008 that applies to it and is provided by the State whose flag the ship is entitled to fly. ; (b) after paragraph (6), insert— (7) In these Regulations, any reference to the IP Code is to be construed— (a) as a reference to the IP Code as modified from time to time; and (b) as, if the IP Code is replaced, a reference to the replacement. (8) For the purposes of paragraph (7), the IP Code is modified or replaced if the modification or replacement takes effect in accordance with Article VIII of the SOLAS Convention. (9) A modification or replacement of the IP Code has effect at the time such modification or replacement comes into force in accordance with Article VIII of the SOLAS Convention. (10) Any reference in these Regulations to the SPS Code 1983 or SPS Code 2008 includes any amendment or replacement of that Code which is considered by the Secretary of State to be relevant from time to time and which is specified in a Merchant Shipping Notice. . 3 In regulation 5 (application and exemption), for paragraph (2)(c), substitute— (c) high speed craft which are certified in accordance with regulation 13(2) of the Merchant Shipping (High Speed Craft) Regulations 2022 unless they are subject to the IP and SPS Regulations, . 4 After regulation 9B (surveys of ships operating in polar waters), insert— Surveys of cargo ships and high speed cargo craft carrying industrial personnel 9C. (1) A United Kingdom cargo ship to which the IP and SPS Regulations apply and which is engaged on international voyages must be subject to the surveys specified in paragraph (2), and each such survey must be carried out for the purpose of assessing compliance with each requirement of the IP Code that applies to it. (2) The surveys referred to in paragraph (1) are— (a) an initial survey, before the ship carries the persons referred to in paragraph (7) for the first time; and (b) a survey at the same time as any survey required in respect of the ship under regulations 7 to 10 (surveys of cargo ships). (3) A United Kingdom cargo ship to which the IP and SPS Regulations apply and which is engaged on voyages which are not international voyages, must be subject to the surveys specified in paragraph (4), and each such survey must be carried out for the purpose of assessing compliance with each requirement of the IP Code that applies to it. (4) The surveys referred to in paragraph (3) are— (a) an initial survey, before the ship carries the persons referred to in paragraph (7) for the first time; and (b) a survey at the same time as any survey required in respect of the ship under regulations 7 to 10, as if that ship were engaged on international voyages. (5) A United Kingdom high speed cargo craft to which the IP and SPS Regulations apply must be subject to the surveys specified in paragraph (6), and each such survey must be carried out for the purpose of assessing compliance with each requirement of the IP Code that applies to it. (6) The surveys referred to in paragraph (5) are— (a) an initial survey, before the high speed cargo craft carries the persons referred to in paragraph (7) for the first time; and (b) a survey at the same time as any survey required by section 1.5 of the HSC Code (surveys of high speed craft). (7) The persons referred to in paragraphs (2)(a), (4)(a) and (6)(a) are an aggregate of more than 12 persons consisting of industrial personnel, special personnel and passengers where at least one person is industrial personnel. Surveys of special purpose ships 9D. (1) A United Kingdom special purpose ship to which the IP and SPS Regulations apply and which is engaged on international voyages must be subject to the surveys specified in paragraph (2), and each such survey must be carried out for the purpose of assessing compliance with each requirement of— (a) Chapters 2 to 9 of the SPS Code 1983; or (b) Chapters 2 to 9 of the SPS Code 2008, that applies to it. (2) The surveys referred to in paragraph (1) are— (a) an initial survey, before the ship is put into service as a special purpose ship for the first time; and (b) a survey at the same time as any survey required in respect of the ship under regulations 7 to 10 (surveys of cargo ships). (3) A United Kingdom special purpose ship to which the IP and SPS Regulations apply and which is engaged on voyages which are not international voyages, must be subject to the surveys specified in paragraph (4), and each such survey must be carried out for the purpose of assessing compliance with each requirement of— (a) Chapters 2 to 9 of the SPS Code 1983; or (b) Chapters 2 to 9 of the SPS Code 2008, that applies to it. (4) The surveys referred to in paragraph (3) are— (a) an initial survey, before the ship is put into service as a special purpose ship for the first time; and (b) a survey at the same time as any survey required in respect of the ship under regulations 7 to 10, as if that ship were engaged on international voyages. . 5 After regulation 13B (issue of Polar Ship Certificate), insert— Issue of Industrial Personnel Safety Certificates in respect of cargo ships and high speed cargo craft 13C. (1) Where a Certifying Authority is satisfied that the conditions set out in paragraph (2) are met in respect of a United Kingdom ship, the Certifying Authority must— (a) issue an Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate in respect of that ship; or (b) endorse the Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate issued in respect of the ship under paragraph (a). (2) The conditions referred to in paragraph (1) are that— (a) a survey for assessing the ship’s compliance with Part 2 of the IP and SPS Regulations (requirements for cargo ships and high speed cargo craft carrying industrial personnel) has been satisfactorily completed; and (b) the ship has been issued with any certificate or certificates applicable to it under regulation 13 (issue of certificates to United Kingdom ships engaged on international or short international voyages). (3) Where an Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate has been issued in respect of a ship under paragraph (1)(a), any statement of compliance held by that ship ceases to be valid. Issue of Special Purpose Ship Safety Certificate 13D. (1) Where a Certifying Authority is satisfied that the conditions set out in paragraph (2) are met in respect of a United Kingdom ship, the Certifying Authority must— (a) issue a Special Purpose Ship Safety Certificate in respect of that ship; or (b) endorse the Special Purpose Ship Safety Certificate issued in respect of the ship under paragraph (a). (2) The conditions referred to in paragraph (1) are that— (a) a survey for assessing the ship’s compliance with regulation 11 of the IP and SPS Regulations (requirements for special purpose ships) has been satisfactorily completed; and (b) the ship has been issued with any certificate or certificates applicable to it under regulation 13 (issue of certificates to United Kingdom ships engaged on international or short international voyages). (3) Where a Special Purpose Ship Safety Certificate has been issued in respect of a ship under paragraph (1)(a), any statement of compliance held by that ship ceases to be valid. . 6 In regulation 15 (duration and validity of certificates)— (a) in paragraph (1)(b), for “or Polar Ship Certificate issued in respect of a cargo ship” substitute “, Polar Ship Certificate issued in respect of a cargo ship, Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate or Special Purpose Ship Safety Certificate”; (b) in paragraph (4)— (i) in the words before sub-paragraph (a)— (aa) after “9B(2)(b)”, insert “, 9C(2)(b), 9C(4)(b), 9C(6)(b), 9D(2)(b) or 9D(4)(b); (bb) for “9B”, substitute “9D”; (ii) in sub-paragraph (b), after “9B(2)(b)” insert “, 9C(2)(b), 9C(4)(b), 9C(6)(b), 9D(2)(b) or 9D(4)(b); (c) in sub-paragraph (c)— (aa) after “9B(2)(b)”, insert “9C(2)(b), 9C(4)(b), 9C(6)(b), 9D(2)(b) or 9D(4)(b)”; (bb) for “9B”, substitute “9D”; (d) in paragraph (6)(b), for “9B” substitute “9D”. 7 In regulation 16(1) (issue and duration of exemption certificates), after “13B”, insert “, 13C, 13D”. 8 In regulation 17 (extension and other provisions)— (a) in paragraph (1)— (i) for “, a Polar Ship Certificate issued in respect of a passenger ship”, substitute “or a Polar Ship Certificate issued in respect of a passenger ship,”; (ii) for “9B”, substitute “9D”; (b) in paragraph (2), after “9B” insert “, 9C or 9D”; (c) in paragraph (3), after “9B” insert “, 9C or 9D”. 9 In regulation 18 (issue and endorsement of certificates by another government), in paragraph (1), after “regulations 13 and 13B” insert “to 13D”. 10 In regulation 19 (requests made by other SOLAS governments), in paragraph (2), after “regulations 13 and 13B” insert “to 13D”. 11 In regulation 22 (availability of certificates)— (a) after “or a certificate”, insert “or document, as the case may be,”; (b) after “23(5D)(b)” insert “, (5E)(b), (5F)(b), (5G)(b) or (5H)(b)”. 12 In regulation 23 (prohibition on proceeding to sea without the appropriate documentation)— (a) after paragraph (5D) insert— (5E) No United Kingdom cargo ship or high speed cargo craft which carries an aggregate of more than 12 persons consisting of industrial personnel, special personnel and passengers where at least one person is industrial personnel, may proceed to sea unless there is in force— (a) an Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate; or (b) until such time as a Certifying Authority issues an Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate under regulation 13C(1)(a), a statement of compliance confirming compliance with the SPS Code 2008 only. (5F) No cargo ship or high speed cargo craft which carries the persons referred to in paragraph (5E) and which is not a United Kingdom ship, may operate in United Kingdom waters unless there is in force— (a) in the case of a ship flying the flag of a State which is a party to the SOLAS Convention but which is not the United Kingdom, an Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate; or (b) in the case of a ship flying the flag of a State which is not a party to the SOLAS Convention, a certificate that demonstrates compliance with each requirement of the IP Code referred to in regulation 9 or 10 of the IP and SPS Regulations, as the case may be, that applies to it. (5G) No special purpose ship which is a United Kingdom ship may proceed to sea unless there is in force— (a) a Special Purpose Ship Safety Certificate; or (b) until such time as a Certifying Authority issues a Special Purpose Ship Safety Certificate under regulation 13D(1)(a), a statement of compliance. (5H) No special purpose ship which is not a United Kingdom special purpose ship, may operate in United Kingdom waters unless there is in force— (a) a Special Purpose Ship Safety Certificate; or (b) a certificate that demonstrates compliance with each requirement of the SPS Code 2008 that applies to that ship. . 13 After regulation 25A (limit on the number of persons on HSOSC), insert— Limit on the number of persons on cargo ships and high speed craft carrying industrial personnel 25B. The owner and master of a cargo ship or high speed cargo craft must ensure that there is not on board a greater number of persons than that stated on— (a) the ship’s Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate; or (b) in the case of a ship flying the flag of a State which is not a party to the SOLAS Convention, the certificate referred to in regulation 23(5F)(b) (certificate demonstrating compliance with the IP Code). Limit on the number of persons on special purpose ships 25C. The owner and master of a special purpose ship must ensure that there is not on board a greater number of persons than that stated on— (a) the ship’s Special Purpose Ship Safety Certificate; or (b) in the case of a special purpose ship which is not a United Kingdom ship, a certificate referred to in regulation 23(5H)(b) (certificate demonstrating compliance with the SPS Code 2008). . 14 In regulation 26 (penalties)— (a) in paragraph (1) (offence of proceeding to sea in breach of survey requirements), for “9B” substitute “9D”; (b) in paragraph (2) (offence related to responsibilities of owner and master etc.), for “(5D)” substitute “(5H)”; (c) in paragraph (5) (offence related to limit on number of persons on board), for “25 or 25A”, substitute “25 to 25C”. The Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations 2018 15 The Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations 2018 are amended as follows. 16 In Schedule 1, in the table in paragraph 5 (fees for inspections, etc.) of Part 1 (surveys, inspections and applications for exemption)— (a) in Section I (construction and equipment)— (i) in the entry for the Merchant Shipping (High Speed Offshore Support Craft) Regulations 2022— (aa) for “The Merchant Shipping (High Speed Offshore Support Craft) Regulations 2022”, substitute “The Merchant Shipping (High Speed Offshore Service Craft) Regulations 2022”; (bb) in the third column, at the end, insert “2025/1298”; (ii) in the entry for the Merchant Shipping (High Speed Craft) Regulations 2022, in the third column, at the end, insert “2025/1298”; (iii) in the entry for the Merchant Shipping (Small Workboats and Pilot Boats) Regulations 2023, in the third column, at the end, insert “2025/1298”; (b) in Section L (survey and certification)— (i) in the entry for the Merchant Shipping (Survey and Certification) Regulations 2015, in the third column, at the end, insert “2025/1298”; (ii) at the end— (aa) in the first column, insert “The Merchant Shipping (Safety Measures for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel and Special Personnel) Regulations 2025”; (bb) in the second column, insert “2025/1298”; (cc) in the third column, insert “None”. The Merchant Shipping (High Speed Offshore Service Craft) Regulations 2022 17 The Merchant Shipping (High Speed Offshore Service Craft) Regulations 2022 are amended as follows. 18 In regulation 3 (application)— (a) in paragraph (2)— (i) for sub-paragraph (d), substitute— (d) is engaged in an operation to transport an aggregate of more than 12 persons consisting of industrial personnel, special personnel and passengers where at least one person is industrial personnel, from one place to another, including any part of that operation where they are not on board, ; (ii) in sub-paragraph (f)— (aa) at the end of paragraph (v), omit “or”; (bb) at the end of paragraph (vi), insert “, or”; (cc) after paragraph (vi), insert— (vii) a high speed passenger craft ; (b) in paragraph (3)— (i) for the definition of “high speed craft”, substitute— “high speed craft” has the meaning given to it in regulation 1.3 of Chapter X in the Annex to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974; ; (ii) after the definition of “high speed craft”, insert— “high speed passenger craft” means a high speed craft which carries more than 12 passengers; ; (iii) in the definition of “offshore industrial activities”, after “related” insert “, but not limited to,”; (iv) after the definition of “offshore industrial activities”, insert— “passenger” means a person other than— the master and the members of the crew or other persons employed or engaged in any capacity on board an HSOSC on the business of that HSOSC; industrial personnel; special personnel; or a child under one year of age; ; (v) after the definition of “pleasure vessel”, insert— “special personnel” means a person who is carried on board a ship in connection with the special purpose of that ship or because of special work being carried out on board that ship, but who is not a member of the crew; . 19 In regulation 4 (compliance and exemptions)— (a) before paragraph (1), insert— (A1) An owner or master of an HSOSC must apply for certification of the HSOSC under— (a) regulation 13A of the Merchant Shipping (Survey and Certification) Regulations 2015 (issue of certificates to HSOSC), or (b) regulation 13(2) of the Merchant Shipping (High Speed Craft) Regulations 2022 (High Speed Craft Safety Certificate). ; (b) in paragraph (1), after “An HSOSC”, insert “which is certified as described in paragraph (A1)(a)”. The Merchant Shipping (High Speed Craft) Regulations 2022 20 The Merchant Shipping (High Speed Craft) Regulations 2022 are amended as follows. 21 In regulation 4 (application)— (a) in paragraph (1)(c)— (i) in paragraph (ii), omit “for hire or reward”; (ii) in paragraph (iv), omit “which is carrying cargo for hire or reward”; (b) for paragraph (2)(j), substitute— (j) an HSOSC which has been examined, and in respect of which a certificate has been issued under regulation 13A(1) of the Merchant Shipping (Survey and Certification) Regulations 2015; ; (c) after paragraph (4), insert— (5) For the purposes of this regulation, “HSOSC” has the meaning given to it in regulation 3 of the Merchant Shipping (High Speed Offshore Service Craft) Regulations 2022. . 22 In regulation 9 (requirements in relation to high speed craft)— (a) in paragraph (1), after “2002” insert “, except for a high speed craft to which the Merchant Shipping (Safety Measures for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel and Special Personnel) Regulations 2025 apply,”; (b) in paragraph (2), after “2002,” insert “except for a high speed craft to which the Merchant Shipping (Safety Measures for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel and Special Personnel) Regulations 2025 apply,”; (c) after paragraph (2), insert— (2A) Subject to paragraph (5), a high speed craft constructed before 1st July 2002 and to which the Merchant Shipping (Safety Measures for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel and Special Personnel) Regulations 2025 apply must comply with each requirement applicable to that craft in— (a) the High-Speed Craft Code, 2000; and (b) the approved standards specified in Merchant Shipping Notice 1672 (M+F) Amendment 4. ; (d) in paragraph (5), after “paragraphs (1), (2),”, insert “(2A),”. The Merchant Shipping (Small Workboats and Pilot Boats) Regulations 2023 23 The Merchant Shipping (Small Workboats and Pilot Boats) Regulations 2023 are amended as follows. 24 In regulation 3(1) (interpretation), in the definition of “passenger”— (a) at the end of sub-paragraph (b), omit “or”; (b) at the end of sub-paragraph (c), insert “or”; (c) after sub-paragraph (c), insert— (d) industrial personnel . 25 In regulation 4 (application)— (a) for paragraph (2)(a), substitute— (a) a workboat or pilot boat carrying more than 12 persons consisting of passengers and industrial personnel; ; (b) after paragraph (3), insert— (4) For the purposes of this regulation— “industrial personnel” means a person who is transported or accommodated on board a ship for the purpose of offshore industrial activities performed on board other ships or on offshore facilities; and “offshore industrial activities” means the construction, maintenance, decommissioning, operation or servicing of offshore facilities related, but not limited to, exploration and exploitation of resources by the renewable or hydrocarbon energy sectors, aquaculture, ocean mining or similar activities. .