Legislative Requirements

Question 1

What is the IMO?

Answer 1

The IMO is a specialised organisation under the UN with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.

Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.

175 member states

Question 2

IMO Conventions

Answer 2

• STCW
• SOLAS
• MARPOL
• COLREGs
• International Load Line Convention
• International Tonnage Convention
• Maritime Search and Rescue Convention
• International Salvage Convention
• International Bunkers Convention
• International Antifoul Convention
• Wreck Removal Convention

Question 3

MSN, MGN, MIN definitions

Answer 3

Merchant Shipping notice (MSNs) contain the technical detail of regulations called ‘statutory instruments’ (SIs). This is mandatory information and must be complied with under UK legislation.

Marine guidance notes (MGN) give significant advice and guidance relating to the improvement of the safety of shipping and of life at sea, and to prevent or minimise pollution from shipping.

Marine information notes (MINs) tend to give information that’s valid for a short period of time, such as timetables for MCA exams, or relevant to a small group of people, such as training establishments or equipment
manufacturers.

Question 4

What is contained in the Annual Summary of Notices to Mariners?

Answer 4

Part I:
- Sections 1 - 26 including firing practise and exercise areas, mine laying and clearance operations, GNSS positions, marine environmental high risk areas
- All T’s and P’s in force at 1st Jan

Part 2:
- All updates to sailing directions and nautical publications

Question 5

Hours of Work and Rest Legislation

Answer 5

The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Hours of Work) Regulations 2018 or MSN 1877

General duty of shipowner/Master:
- Ensure that a seafarer must be supplied with at least the minimum hours of rest
- If drills are completed during rest period, efforts must be made to minimise disturbance to the seafarers rest period
- If a seafarer is on call, he must be provided with adequate compensatory rest for any call-out work done during hours of rest
- The Master may require a seafarer to work any hours necessary for the immediate safety of the ship, cargo, marine environment or providing assistance to another ship or person in distress
- Table of shipboard working arrangements must be posted in a prominent and easily accessible place
- Failure to comply may lead to detention

Minimum requirements:
- 10 hours in any 24 hour period
- 77 hours in a 7 day period
- May be divided into no more than 2 periods with one being at least 6 hours
- Records must be available for inspection