#2026/306The Merchant Shipping (EPIRB and PLB Registration and Radiocommunications) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
These UK regulations amend existing merchant shipping rules to introduce mandatory registration requirements for Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) carried on UK vessels. The rules update the Merchant Shipping (Radio Installations) Regulations 1998, the Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations 2018, the Merchant Shipping (Radiocommunications) (Amendment) Regulations 2021, and the Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) Order 2023. They specify registration obligations, create new offences for non-compliance with associated penalties, and allow for vessel detention. The regulations come into force on 15 April 2026 and apply to relevant UK ships and watercraft.
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Key Changes
- Mandatory registration requirements introduced for EPIRBs under regulation 5
- Mandatory registration requirements introduced for PLBs under regulation 6
- New offences and penalties created for failure to register EPIRBs and PLBs
+ 3 more changes with Pro
Obligations
What this law requires
Register all Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) carried on UK vessels in accordance with Part 2, Section 5 requirements
Register all Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) carried on UK vessels in accordance with Part 2, Section 6 requirements
Comply with all offences and penalties provisions set out in Part 3, Section 7, or face enforcement action
Maintain EPIRB and PLB registration status to avoid vessel detention under Part 3, Section 8
Ensure compliance with amended Merchant Shipping (Radio Installations) Regulations 1998 as updated by these regulations