Consultation outcome

Consultation on the proposed merchant shipping (cargo ship) (bilge alarm) regulations 2021

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Detail of outcome

This consultation report provides:

  • an introduction

  • key findings

  • a summary of responses

  • MCA response

  • who responded

  • and the next steps.


Original consultation

Summary

This consultation seeks the views of industry and stakeholders on proposals to introduce regulations for bilge alarms on cargo ships

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

This consultation seeks your views on the proposal to introduce legislation that will require the installation of bilge water level detectors and alarms on cargo ships of which fall in the following category: 24 metres or more in length and less than 500 Gross Tonnage (‘The Regulations’).

There have been several incidents of flooding on such ships and a Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) investigation produced a recommendation to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) proposing the introduction of a requirement for bilge alarms to be fitted in such ships to mitigate the risk of such incidents (MAIB reference Recommendation 2009//141).

The proposed regulations would ensure both existing and new vessels of the above category would be required to install bilge water level detectors and subsequent wiring and alerting systems.

Documents

Consultation document: The merchant shipping (cargo ship) (bilge alarm) regulations 2021

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email [email protected]. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Annex A: Draft SI The merchant shipping (cargo ship) (bilge alarm) regulations 2020

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email [email protected]. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Annex B: De minimis assessment

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email [email protected]. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Annex C: Draft MGN Bilge alarm on cargo ships 24m or more in length and under 500GT

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email [email protected]. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Updates to this page

Published 2 October 2020
Last updated 31 March 2021 + show all updates
  1. Consultation outcome report uploaded.

  2. First published.

Sign up for emails or print this page