Amendments to EU standards for seagoing domestic passenger ships

Dear Consultee,

This consultation relates to the UK’s implementation of directive (EU) 2016/844 amending directive 2009/45/EC “on safety rules and standards for passenger ships”. Please note that this directive applies only to seagoing domestic passenger ships constructed of steel or equivalent material. These are ships carrying more than 12 passengers, which are not on international voyages, and sail either:-

• from and back to the same port; or,
• to a different port within the same EU Member State.

Directive 2016/844 is the latest amendment to the 2009 directive, and reflects recent developments to the global safety standards for international passenger ships. The purpose of these standards is to maintain a consistently high level of safety across all EU domestic passenger ships. We would greatly appreciate your views on the amended standards, and whether they will have any impact on your business; positive or negative. Further details, and a number of specific questions are in the attached consultation letter and its four annexes.

This consultation runs from 11 May until 22 June 2017.