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Marine and Coastal Access Bill [HL]

My Lords, this is a small but important technical amendment dealing with the interpretation of the words "British vessel" in this part of the Bill. The Merchant Shipping Act 1995 draws a distinction between a British ship registered in the United Kingdom and those registered under the law of a British possession, including Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Gibraltar and the Isle of Man. Certain aspects of United Kingdom merchant shipping legislation can be applied to UK-registered vessels wherever they are and—in broad terms and consistent with international law under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea—to other vessels when they are within the United Kingdom’s jurisdiction. Vessels registered in British overseas possessions are subject to the laws of their respective Administrations when outside UK jurisdiction. Clause 112, as drafted, refers to, ""a British ship within the meaning of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995"—" but fails to address the distinction, important in exercising regulatory powers, scope and coverage, between a vessel registered in the United Kingdom and one registered in a British possession. This amendment, which links the British vessel to United Kingdom registration, will, I hope, correct the anomaly. I beg to move.