Legislation & Conventions

Legislation:

The international maritime conventions made at the International Maritime Organization and at the International Labour Organization are formally extended to Bermuda by the UK once they have been ratified by the UK Government.

The responsibility for enacting Bermuda legislation lies with the Parliament in Bermuda which has competence to enact laws in all areas affecting shipping. The Bermuda Shipping and Maritime Authority  drafts the relevant maritime laws which are then adopted by the Bermuda Parliament.

The official text of Bermuda laws covering Bermuda ships are available on the Attorney general’s web-site at:

All the laws for shipping are designated as Merchant Shipping (regulations) and are listed in alphabetical order.

CONVENTIONS:

The UK has extended the key international maritime conventions to Bermuda and these are given effect for Bermuda ships by Bermuda national legislation. Conventions extended to Bermuda are:

Safety of Life at Sea Convention 1974 and the 1988 Protocol
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. 1972
MARPOL 1978 Annex I
MARPOL 1978 Annex II
MARPOL 1978 Annex III
MARPOL 1978 Annex IV
MARPOL 1978 Annex V
MARPOL IV
MARPOL VI
Ballast Water Convention                                                                                                                                                                                        MARPOL protocol 1997 Annex VI  ships
Load Line 1966 and amendments and protocol of 1988
Tonnage 1969
CLC protocol 1992
Fund protocol 1992
STCW 1978 and amendments
Bunkers 2001
UNCLOS
MLC 2006
OPRC