Fishing Vessels (Decommissioning) Scheme 2003 (S.I. No. 2669 of 2003).

Applications for grant will be considered in respect of vessels meeting the requirements set out in paragraph 3 of the Scheme. These include a requirement that to be eligible a vessel must be at least 10 metres in length and licensed with a Category A licence, other than a Category A (Pelagic Pursuer), a Category A (Pelagic Freezer) or a Category A (Pelagic Trawler) licence. The vessel must be an "English based vessel" as defined in paragraph 3(3). Paragraphs 4 to 6 of the Scheme lay down a procedure for the making, consideration and approval of applications. Applications must be in respect of one vessel only and include a bid by the applicant for the amount of grant for which the applicant offers to decommission and deregister the vessel and surrender all licenses and claims to licences in respect of the vessel. Bids will be selected for approval in accordance with paragraph 5. The Secretary of State can determine conditions to which an approval is subject (par. 6(2) and (3)). In order for grant to be payable the Secretary of State must be satisfied that decommissioning (by a method having her prior approval) has taken place, that the vessel has been deregistered and licences and claims to licences have been surrendered (par.s 7, 8 and 9). In the event of substantial damage or destruction of the vessel the applicant is required to provide the Secretary of State with certain information (par. 10).