§ Lord Fearnasked Her Majesty's Government:
What safety checks are made, and by which body, on river craft operating on the River Mersey in all its reaches. [HL3599]
§ Lord Davies of OldhamThe Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) carries out an annual survey and at least one general inspection of all domestic passenger ships carrying more than 12 passengers. The MCA also undertakes random inspections on a cross-section of domestic non-passenger vessels in commercial use.
Navigation authority and competent harbour authority safety checks also apply. The Mersey Docks and Harbours Board is the competent harbour authority for the Port of Liverpool which covers the River Mersey up to Warrington Bridge. It carries out safety checks for vessels over 50 gross tons including carriage of VHF radio; carriage of radar; vessels with mechanical, equipment or structural defects; and vessels carrying hazardous cargoes.
The Manchester Ship Canal Company is the navigation authority for the River Mersey from Warrington Bridge to the Mersey Weir at Irlam on the Manchester ship canal. Pleasure vessels and those not classed and required to register for operation in the harbour and port of Manchester, are inspected by an approved marine surveyor for a certificate of seaworthiness. The harbour master of the Manchester Ship Canal Company has powers to inspect vessels.
§ Lord Fearnasked Her Majesty's Government:
What safety checks are made, and by which body, on river craft operating on the River Thames in all its reaches. [HL3600]
§ Lord Davies of OldhamThe Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) carries out an annual survey and at least one general inspection of all domestic passenger ships carrying more than 12 passengers. The MCA also undertakes random inspections on a cross-section of domestic non-passenger vessels in commercial use.
Navigation authority and competent harbour authority safety checks also apply. The Port of London Authority (PLA) is the competent harbour authority for the River Thames as far as Teddington Lock and is responsible for the administration of the craft registration system and "fitness for purpose" inspections for all vessels submitted for initial registration and subsequent renewal. All commercial vessels that fall within the scope of the by-laws and PLA vessels are inspected. Power-driven vessels are 156WA inspected annually and non-power driven craft biennially.
Above Teddington Lock, the navigation authority is the Environment Agency. Independent marine surveyors examine all craft for issue of a boat safety certificate. All power driven vessels and houseboats are liable to informal or formal check inspections by navigation officers.