Merchant Shipping Act, 1981

Nautical publications.

5.—(1) The Minister may make regulations specifying such charts, nautical directions or information or other nautical publications as appear to him to be necessary or expedient for the safe operation of ships and such regulations may require—

(a) ships registered in the State, or such class or description of such ships as is specified in the regulations, to carry either at all times or on such voyages as may be so specified,

(b) ships which are not registered in the State, or such class or description of such ships as is so specified, to carry at any time while they are in any port in the State or in a port in the State which is so specified,

either copies of all, or copies of such as are so specified, of the charts, nautical directions or information or other nautical publications so specified.

(2) If a ship goes to sea or attempts to go to sea without carrying copies of any chart, nautical directions or information or other nautical publication which it is by regulations under this section required to carry, the master and the owner of the ship shall each be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £500.