S.L. 425.14 Art. 8Manning

(1) The Director shall ensure that all fishing vessels are sufficiently and safely manned for their safe navigation and operation, and he may prescribe conditions for the safe manning of a fishing vessel as may be appropriate for the fishing vessel and its operations:

Provided that for fishing vessels of twenty-four metres in length or over, the Director shall establish a minimum level of manning for the safe navigation of the fishing vessel, specifying the number and the qualifications of the fishermen required.

(2) All fishing vessels shall be operated under the control of a competent master.

(3) Without prejudice to the obligations of the master at law, the owner of the fishing vessel shall be responsible for the fulfilment of all obligations under this regulation.

(4) Whenever conditions are prescribed according to sub-regulation (1), said conditions shall be deemed as part of the conditions of the fishing licence of a fishing vessel, without prejudice to the discretion of the Director to impose such conditions directly as conditions of a fishing licence according to the provisions of the Act.

(5) Any conditions prescribed according to sub-regulation (1) shall be communicated to the owner of the fishing vessel or to its registered master.

(6) A fishing vessel may not operate unless the requirements of this regulation are fulfilled at all times of operation:

Provided that any default in the requirements of this regulation shall lead to the suspension of the fishing licence ipso iure of the fishing vessel:

Provided further that no such suspension shall apply when it is proven that any said default was necessary as a result of any or distress during the operation of the fishing vessel. force majeure