Consultation on the proposed merchant shipping (cargo ship) (bilge alarm) regulations 2021

This consultation seeks your views on the proposal to introduce legislation that will require the installation of bilge water level detectors and alarms on cargo ships of which fall in the following category: 24 metres or more in length and less than 500 Gross Tonnage (‘The Regulations’).

There have been several incidents of flooding on such ships and a Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) investigation produced a recommendation to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) proposing the introduction of a requirement for bilge alarms to be fitted in such ships to mitigate the risk of such incidents (MAIB reference Recommendation 2009//141).

The proposed regulations would ensure both existing and new vessels of the above category would be required to install bilge water level detectors and subsequent wiring and alerting systems.