UK Offence Report

The Merchant Shipping (Light Dues) Regulations 2025

UK Statutory Instrument 2025 No. 278 — creates 1 criminal offence.

1offences created
0recorded in force
0revoked
Made
5 March 2025
In force from
1 April 2025
Extent
Not stated
Subject
Transport: maritime, aviation, rail and harbours
Made under
Merchant Shipping Act 1995

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations) — published with the instrument by the department that made it. © Crown copyright, reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

These Regulations revoke and remake with amendments the Merchant Shipping (Light Dues) Regulations 1997 (S.I. 1997/562) (“the 1997 Regulations”). Regulations 2 and 4 to 6 remake the 1997 Regulations with some clarifications and modifications so that the provisions can be applied in a clear and consistent way. Regulation 3 and Schedule 1 provide for vessels that are exempt from light dues under these Regulations. The main changes included in the list of exemptions in Schedule 1 are as follows. The exemption for ships of less than 20 tons, other than ships liable to pay light dues by reference to their load line length has been amended so that it will only apply to ships other than tugs or fishing vessels with a load line length of 24 metres or less. The exemption for sailing ships used exclusively for sail training purposes, operating as travelling museums or vessels of historical interest has been amended so that it will apply to sailing ships used for sail training purposes by a registered charity. There is a new exemption for vessels registered on the National Register of Historic Vessels. The exemption for ships putting in solely for bunkers, stores, crew changes, embarkation or disembarkation of pilots, a medical emergency, or for provisions for their own use on board has been amended so that the exemption will only apply if the vessel is not otherwise engaged in any revenue earning or commercial activity or service and if the general lighthouse authorities are satisfied that the vessel is not ordinarily kept at the port to which the arrival relates. The exemption for any ships that are laid up has been amended so that it cross-refers to the correct regulation. Regulation 7 and Schedule 2 provide a list of instruments to be revoked in these Regulations. A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen.

Offences created by this instrument

What Parliament said about it

Hansard was searched for this instrument by name and returned nothing. That is the ordinary outcome: an instrument laid under the negative procedure is usually never debated, and becomes law without a word said about it in either House.

How Parliament handled it

This instrument became law without a debate or a vote. Under the negative procedure it took effect unless a motion to stop it succeeded, and none was tabled.

Procedure
Made negative — law unless a motion to stop it succeeded
Could either House amend it?
No. A statutory instrument is put to each House as a whole thing, to be approved or not. Neither House can change a word of it.
Committee
Drawn to the special attention of the Houses by a scrutiny committee

Procedural history

From Parliament's Statutory Instruments service. Parliamentary material is reused under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0.

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