Fishing Vessels (Codes of Practice) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 943 of 2017).

These Regulations revise the certification regime applicable to United Kingdom fishing vessels, and non-United Kingdom fishing vessels operating in United Kingdom waters. A vessel must comply with an applicable Code of Practice. The Codes of Practice deal with the safe operation, construction and equipping of fishing vessels. They implement Council Directive 93/103/EC concerning the minimum safety and health requirements for work on board fishing vessels and Council Directive 97/70/EC setting up a harmonised safety regime for fishing vessels of 24 metres in length and over, as amended by Commission Directive 2002/35/EC. The Secretary of State must issue a certificate of compliance in respect of a United Kingdom fishing vessel if a surveyor of ships, following a survey (in the case of a large or medium fishing vessel) or inspection (in the case of a small fishing vessel) as set out in the relevant Merchant Shipping Notice, is satisfied that the vessel complies with the applicable Code of Practice. The Regulations also provide for inspection and detention of fishing vessels.