
1 
These Regulations may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Health and Safety: General Duties) (Amendment) Regulations 1988 and shall come into force on 1st September 1988.
2 
The Merchant Shipping (Health and Safety: General Duties) Regulations 1984 shall be amended by substituting for regulation 8 the following:—“
8 

(1) Contravention of regulation 4 of these Regulations shall be an offence punishable on summary conviction by a fine not exceeding £2000 or, on conviction on indictment, by imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine, or both.
(2) Contravention of regulation 5 of these Regulations shall be an offence punishable on summary conviction by a fine not exceeding £400.
(3) Contravention of regulation 6 of these Regulations shall be an offence punishable on summary conviction by a fine not exceeding £1000.
(4) Contravention of regulation 7 of these Regulations shall be an offence punishable on summary conviction by a fine not exceeding £1000.
(5) It shall be a defence for a person charged under paragraphs (1) to (3) of this regulation to show that he took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence.”.
Paul Channon
Secretary of State for Transport
4th August 1988