Merchant Shipping Act, 1894

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Marking of load-line.

438.[¹] —(1) The owner of every British ship proceeding to sea from a port in the United Kingdom (except ships under eighty tons register employed solely in the coasting trade,[²] ships employed solely in fishing, and pleasure yachts) shall, before the time herein-after mentioned mark upon each of her sides, amidships within the meaning of the last preceding section, or as near thereto as is practicable, in white or yellow on a dark ground, or in black on a light ground, a circular disc twelve inches in diameter, with an horizontal line eighteen inches in length drawn through its centre.

(2) The centre of this disc shall be placed at such level as may be approved by the Board of Trade below the deck-line marked under this Act and specified in the certificate given thereunder, and shall indicate the maximum load-line in salt water to which it shall be lawful to load the ship.

(3) The position of the disc shall be fixed in accordance with the tables used at the time of the passing of this Act by the Board of Trade, subject to such allowance as may be made necessary by any difference between the position of the deck-line marked under this Act and the position of the line from which freeboard is measured under the said tables, and subject also to such modifications, if any, of the tables and the application thereof as may be approved by the Board of Trade.

(4) In approving any such modifications the Board of Trade shall have regard to any representations made to them by any corporation or association for the survey or registry of shipping for the time being appointed or approved by the Board of Trade, as herein-after mentioned, for the purpose of approving and certifying the position of the load-line.

[¹ See note [¹], p. 588.]

[² See note [²], p. 588.]