Seafarers’ Wages Act 2023

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<hcontainer xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" xmlns:ukl="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/namespaces/legislation" name="crossheading" ukl:Name="Pblock" eId="crossheading-introductory"><heading>Introductory</heading><section eId="section-1"><num>1</num><heading>Services to which this Act applies</heading><subsection eId="section-1-1"><num>(1)</num><content><p>This Act applies to a service for the carriage of persons or goods by ship, with or without vehicles, between a place outside the United Kingdom and a place in the United Kingdom.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-1-2"><num>(2)</num><intro><p>But this Act does not apply to—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-1-2-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>a service that is for the purpose of leisure or recreation, or</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-1-2-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>a service provided by a fishing vessel.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-1-3"><num>(3)</num><content><p>Regulations may specify matters that must or must not be taken into account in determining whether provision for the carriage of persons or goods between two places by ship on two or more journeys constitutes a single service.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-1-4"><num>(4)</num><intro><p>In this Act “<term refersTo="#term-ship" eId="term-ship">ship</term>” includes—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-1-4-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>any kind of vessel used in navigation, and</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-1-4-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>hovercraft.</p></content></level></subsection></section><section eId="section-2"><num>2</num><heading>Non-qualifying seafarers</heading><intro><p>In this Act, “<term refersTo="#term-non-qualifying-seafarer" eId="term-non-qualifying-seafarer">non-qualifying seafarer</term>” means a person—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-2-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>who works on a ship providing a service to which this Act applies,</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-2-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>whose work on the ship is carried out in relation to the provision of the service, and</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-2-c"><num>(c)</num><content><p>who fails to qualify for the national minimum wage in respect of that work merely because, for the purposes of the National Minimum Wage Act 1998, the person does not work, or does not ordinarily work, in the United Kingdom.</p></content></level></section></hcontainer>
<hcontainer xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" xmlns:ukl="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/namespaces/legislation" name="crossheading" ukl:Name="Pblock" eId="crossheading-national-minimum-wage-equivalence-declarations"><heading>National minimum wage equivalence declarations</heading><section eId="section-3"><num>3</num><heading>Request for declaration</heading><subsection eId="section-3-1"><num>(1)</num><content><p>Subsection (2) applies where a harbour authority has reasonable grounds to believe that ships providing a service to which this Act applies will enter, or have entered, its harbour on at least 120 occasions during a relevant year.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-3-2"><num>(2)</num><content><p>The harbour authority must, within such period as is determined by regulations, request that the operator of the service provide the authority with a national minimum wage equivalence declaration (in the rest of this Act, an “equivalence declaration”) in respect of the service for the relevant year.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-3-3"><num>(3)</num><content><p>The duty under subsection (2) is subject to any direction given by the Secretary of State under section 16(1)(a).</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-3-4"><num>(4)</num><intro><p>A harbour authority which fails to comply with subsection (2) is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-3-4-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>in England and Wales, to a fine, or</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-3-4-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>in Scotland and Northern Ireland, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-3-5"><num>(5)</num><intro><p>Regulations may make provision—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-3-5-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>as to the period within which equivalence declarations are to be provided;</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-3-5-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>as to the form of equivalence declarations;</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-3-5-c"><num>(c)</num><content><p>as to the manner in which equivalence declarations are to be provided.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-3-6"><num>(6)</num><intro><p>In this Act, “<term refersTo="#term-relevant-year" eId="term-relevant-year">relevant year</term>” means—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-3-6-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>the period of 12 months beginning with a date specified in regulations, and</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-3-6-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>each successive period of 12 months.</p></content></level></subsection></section><section eId="section-4"><num>4</num><heading>Nature of declaration</heading><subsection eId="section-4-1"><num>(1)</num><content><p>An equivalence declaration in respect of a service for a relevant year is a declaration within any of subsections (2) to (5).</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-4-2"><num>(2)</num><intro><p>A declaration is within this subsection if it is provided before the beginning of the relevant year and it is to the effect that—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-4-2-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>in the relevant year there will be no non-qualifying seafarers working on ships providing the service, or</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-4-2-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>in the relevant year non-qualifying seafarers working on ships providing the service will be remunerated in respect of their UK work in relation to the service at a rate that is equal to or exceeds the national minimum wage equivalent.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-4-3"><num>(3)</num><intro><p>A declaration is within this subsection if it is provided during the relevant year and it is to the effect that—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-4-3-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>in what remains of the relevant year there will be no non-qualifying seafarers working on ships providing the service, or</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-4-3-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>in what remains of the relevant year non-qualifying seafarers working on ships providing the service will be remunerated in respect of their UK work in relation to the service at a rate that is equal to or exceeds the national minimum wage equivalent.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-4-4"><num>(4)</num><intro><p>A declaration is within this subsection if it is provided during the relevant year and it is to the effect that—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-4-4-a"><num>(a)</num><intro><p>in so much of the relevant year as has already occurred—</p></intro><level class="para2" eId="section-4-4-a-i"><num>(i)</num><content><p>there have been no non-qualifying seafarers working on ships providing the service, or</p></content></level><level class="para2" eId="section-4-4-a-ii"><num>(ii)</num><content><p>non-qualifying seafarers working on ships providing the service have been remunerated in respect of their UK work in relation to the service at a rate that is equal to or exceeds the national minimum wage equivalent, and</p></content></level></level><level class="para1" eId="section-4-4-b"><num>(b)</num><intro><p>in what remains of the relevant year—</p></intro><level class="para2" eId="section-4-4-b-i"><num>(i)</num><content><p>there will be no non-qualifying seafarers working on ships providing the service, or</p></content></level><level class="para2" eId="section-4-4-b-ii"><num>(ii)</num><content><p>non-qualifying seafarers working on ships providing the service will be remunerated in respect of their UK work in relation to the service at a rate that is equal to or exceeds the national minimum wage equivalent.</p></content></level></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-4-5"><num>(5)</num><intro><p>A declaration is within this subsection if it is provided after the end of the relevant year and it is to the effect that—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-4-5-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>in the relevant year there were no non-qualifying seafarers working on ships providing the service, or</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-4-5-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>in the relevant year non-qualifying seafarers working on ships providing the service were remunerated in respect of their UK work in relation to the service at a rate that is equal to or exceeds the national minimum wage equivalent.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-4-6"><num>(6)</num><content><p>For the purposes of this Act, the national minimum wage equivalent is an hourly rate specified in regulations.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-4-7"><num>(7)</num><intro><p>Regulations may make provision for determining for the purposes of this Act—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-4-7-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>the hourly rate at which a non-qualifying seafarer is remunerated in any period in respect of any work, and</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-4-7-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>whether, or the extent to which, a non-qualifying seafarer’s work in relation to a service to which this Act applies is UK work.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-4-8"><num>(8)</num><intro><p>Regulations under subsection (7)(a) may in particular make—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-4-8-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>any provision referred to in section 2(2) to (6) of the National Minimum Wage Act 1998;</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-4-8-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>provision relating to currency conversion.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-4-9"><num>(9)</num><content><p>The Secretary of State must in making regulations under this section seek to secure that a non-qualifying seafarer is for the purposes of this section remunerated at a rate equal to the national minimum wage equivalent only if their remuneration is in all the circumstances broadly equivalent to the remuneration they would receive if they qualified for the national minimum wage.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-4-10"><num>(10)</num><content><p>In this Act, “<term refersTo="#term-uk-work" eId="term-uk-work">UK work</term>” means work which is carried out in the United Kingdom or its territorial waters.</p></content></subsection></section><section eId="section-5"><num>5</num><heading>Offence of operating service inconsistently with declaration</heading><subsection eId="section-5-1"><num>(1)</num><intro><p>The operator of a service to which this Act applies is guilty of an offence if—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-5-1-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>the operator provides a harbour authority with an equivalence declaration in respect of the service for a relevant year, and</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-5-1-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>subsection (2), (3) or (4) applies.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-5-2"><num>(2)</num><intro><p>This subsection applies if the equivalence declaration is provided before the beginning of the relevant year and—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-5-2-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>the service is operated inconsistently with the declaration at the beginning of the relevant year, or</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-5-2-b"><num>(b)</num><intro><p>at any later time during the relevant year the service starts to be operated inconsistently with the declaration and the operator fails to notify the harbour authority within four weeks of—</p></intro><level class="para2" eId="section-5-2-b-i"><num>(i)</num><content><p>the fact that the service has started to be so operated, and</p></content></level><level class="para2" eId="section-5-2-b-ii"><num>(ii)</num><content><p>the time when it started to be so operated.</p></content></level></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-5-3"><num>(3)</num><intro><p>This subsection applies if the equivalence declaration is provided during the relevant year and—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-5-3-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>at the time the declaration is provided the service is being operated inconsistently with the declaration, or</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-5-3-b"><num>(b)</num><intro><p>at any later time during the relevant year the service starts to be operated inconsistently with the declaration and the operator fails to notify the harbour authority within four weeks of—</p></intro><level class="para2" eId="section-5-3-b-i"><num>(i)</num><content><p>the fact that the service has started to be so operated, and</p></content></level><level class="para2" eId="section-5-3-b-ii"><num>(ii)</num><content><p>the time when it started to be so operated.</p></content></level></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-5-4"><num>(4)</num><content><p>This subsection applies if the equivalence declaration is provided during or after the end of the relevant year and it is false or misleading in so far as it concerns the operation of the service before the declaration was provided.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-5-5"><num>(5)</num><intro><p>A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-5-5-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>in England and Wales, to a fine, or</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-5-5-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>in Scotland and Northern Ireland, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.</p></content></level></subsection></section></hcontainer>
<hcontainer xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" xmlns:ukl="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/namespaces/legislation" name="crossheading" ukl:Name="Pblock" eId="crossheading-surcharges"><heading>Surcharges</heading><section eId="section-6"><num>6</num><heading>Imposition of surcharges: failure to provide declaration in time</heading><subsection eId="section-6-1"><num>(1)</num><intro><p>This section applies if—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-6-1-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>a harbour authority requests the operator of a service to which this Act applies to provide the authority with an equivalence declaration in respect of the service for a relevant year, and</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-6-1-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>the operator does not provide an equivalence declaration in the prescribed form and manner before the end of the prescribed period.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-6-2"><num>(2)</num><intro><p>If the prescribed period expires before the beginning of the relevant year, the harbour authority must impose a charge on the operator of the service in respect of each occasion when a ship providing the service enters its harbour between—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-6-2-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>the beginning of the relevant year, and</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-6-2-b"><num>(b)</num><intro><p>whichever is the earlier of—</p></intro><level class="para2" eId="section-6-2-b-i"><num>(i)</num><content><p>the end of the relevant year, and</p></content></level><level class="para2" eId="section-6-2-b-ii"><num>(ii)</num><content><p>the time when the operator provides the authority with an equivalence declaration in respect of the service for the relevant year in the prescribed form and manner.</p></content></level></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-6-3"><num>(3)</num><intro><p>If the prescribed period expires during the relevant year, the harbour authority must—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-6-3-a"><num>(a)</num><intro><p>impose a charge on the operator of the service in respect of each occasion when a ship providing the service entered its harbour between—</p></intro><level class="para2" eId="section-6-3-a-i"><num>(i)</num><content><p>the beginning of the relevant year, and</p></content></level><level class="para2" eId="section-6-3-a-ii"><num>(ii)</num><content><p>the end of the prescribed period, and</p></content></level></level><level class="para1" eId="section-6-3-b"><num>(b)</num><intro><p>impose a charge on the operator of the service in respect of each occasion when a ship providing the service enters its harbour between the expiry of the prescribed period and whichever is the earlier of—</p></intro><level class="para2" eId="section-6-3-b-i"><num>(i)</num><content><p>the end of the relevant year, and</p></content></level><level class="para2" eId="section-6-3-b-ii"><num>(ii)</num><content><p>the time when the operator provides the authority with an equivalence declaration in respect of the service for the relevant year in the prescribed form and manner.</p></content></level></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-6-4"><num>(4)</num><content><p>If the prescribed period expires after the end of the relevant year, the harbour authority must impose a charge on the operator of the service in respect of each occasion when a ship providing the service entered its harbour during the relevant year.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-6-5"><num>(5)</num><intro><p>But charges imposed by a harbour authority under subsection (3)(a) or (4) must be refunded if—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-6-5-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>at any time after the end of the prescribed period the operator provides the authority with an equivalence declaration in respect of the service for the relevant year in the prescribed form and manner, and</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-6-5-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>the declaration is within section 4(4) or (5).</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-6-6"><num>(6)</num><intro><p>For the purposes of this section, in relation to an equivalence declaration which an operator of a service is required to provide—</p></intro><hcontainer name="definition"><content><p>“<term refersTo="#term-prescribed-period" eId="term-prescribed-period">prescribed period</term>” means the period within which the operator is required to provide the declaration in accordance with regulations under section 3(5)(a);</p></content></hcontainer><hcontainer name="definition"><content><p>“<term refersTo="#term-prescribed-form-and-manner" eId="term-prescribed-form-and-manner">prescribed form and manner</term>” means the form and manner in which the operator is required to provide the declaration in accordance with regulations under section 3(5)(b) and (c).</p></content></hcontainer></subsection></section><section eId="section-7"><num>7</num><heading>Imposition of surcharges: in-year declaration that is prospective only</heading><subsection eId="section-7-1"><num>(1)</num><intro><p>This section applies if—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-7-1-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>a harbour authority requests the operator of a service to which this Act applies to provide the authority with an equivalence declaration in respect of the service for a relevant year,</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-7-1-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>the operator provides the declaration during the relevant year in accordance with regulations under section 3(5), and</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-7-1-c"><num>(c)</num><content><p>the declaration is within subsection (3) of section 4 (and not also within subsection (4) of that section).</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-7-2"><num>(2)</num><content><p>The harbour authority must impose a charge on the operator of the service in respect of each occasion when a ship providing the service entered its harbour between the beginning of the relevant year and the time the declaration was provided.</p></content></subsection></section><section eId="section-8"><num>8</num><heading>Imposition of surcharges: operating inconsistently with declaration</heading><subsection eId="section-8-1"><num>(1)</num><intro><p>Subsections (2) and (3) apply if—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-8-1-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>the operator of a service to which this Act applies has provided a harbour authority with an equivalence declaration in respect of the service for a relevant year, and</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-8-1-b"><num>(b)</num><intro><p>either—</p></intro><level class="para2" eId="section-8-1-b-i"><num>(i)</num><content><p>the operator notifies the authority that at a specified time after the declaration was provided the service was, or started to be, operated inconsistently with the declaration, or</p></content></level><level class="para2" eId="section-8-1-b-ii"><num>(ii)</num><content><p>the authority has reasonable grounds to believe that, at a time after the declaration was provided, the service was, or started to be, operated inconsistently with the declaration.</p></content></level></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-8-2"><num>(2)</num><intro><p>The harbour authority must impose a charge on the operator in respect of each occasion when a ship providing the service entered or enters the harbour between—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-8-2-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>the time mentioned in subsection (1)(b)(i) or (ii), and</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-8-2-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>the end of the relevant year.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-8-3"><num>(3)</num><content><p>But if after the time mentioned in subsection (1)(b)(i) or (ii) the operator provides the harbour authority with a fresh equivalence declaration in respect of the service for the relevant year, the authority must not impose a charge under subsection (2) in respect of an occasion when a ship providing the service enters the harbour after the fresh declaration is provided (unless that subsection applies again by reference to that or a later declaration).</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-8-4"><num>(4)</num><intro><p>Subsections (5) and (6) apply if—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-8-4-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>the operator of a service to which this Act applies has provided a harbour authority with an equivalence declaration in respect of the service for a relevant year, and</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-8-4-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>the authority has reasonable grounds to believe that the declaration is false or misleading in so far as it concerns the operation of the service before the declaration was provided.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-8-5"><num>(5)</num><content><p>The harbour authority must impose a charge on the operator in respect of each occasion when a ship providing the service entered or enters the harbour during the relevant year.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-8-6"><num>(6)</num><content><p>But if the operator provides the harbour authority with a fresh equivalence declaration in respect of the service for the relevant year, the authority must not impose a charge under subsection (5) in respect of an occasion when a ship providing the service enters the harbour after the fresh declaration is provided (unless that subsection applies again by reference to that or a later declaration).</p></content></subsection></section><section eId="section-9"><num>9</num><heading>Surcharges: general</heading><subsection eId="section-9-1"><num>(1)</num><content><p>The amount of a surcharge is to be determined by a tariff of surcharges specified in regulations.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-9-2"><num>(2)</num><content><p>A duty to impose a surcharge is subject to any direction given by the Secretary of State under section 16(1)(a).</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-9-3"><num>(3)</num><intro><p>A harbour authority which fails to comply with a duty to impose a surcharge is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-9-3-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>in England and Wales, to a fine, or</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-9-3-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>in Scotland and Northern Ireland, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-9-4"><num>(4)</num><intro><p>Regulations may make provision as to—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-9-4-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>how the imposition of a surcharge is to be notified to the operator;</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-9-4-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>the period within which a surcharge must be paid;</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-9-4-c"><num>(c)</num><content><p>the manner in which a surcharge must be paid;</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-9-4-d"><num>(d)</num><content><p>notification of the imposition of a surcharge to the Secretary of State;</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-9-4-e"><num>(e)</num><content><p>publication of the fact that a surcharge has been imposed.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-9-5"><num>(5)</num><content><p>Regulations may make provision requiring a harbour authority that has imposed a surcharge to notify the Secretary of State if so much of the period within which the surcharge must be paid as is specified in the regulations has expired without the surcharge having been paid in accordance with regulations under subsection (4)(c).</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-9-6"><num>(6)</num><content><p>A harbour authority may retain a surcharge paid under this section and apply it for the purposes of shore-based welfare facilities for seafarers.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-9-7"><num>(7)</num><content><p>References in the Harbours Act 1964 or the Harbours Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 to ship, passenger and goods dues do not include a surcharge.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-9-8"><num>(8)</num><content><p>In this Act, “<term refersTo="#term-surcharge" eId="term-surcharge">surcharge</term>” means a charge under section 6, 7 or 8.</p></content></subsection></section><section eId="section-10"><num>10</num><heading>Objections to surcharges</heading><subsection eId="section-10-1"><num>(1)</num><content><p>Where a surcharge is imposed by a harbour authority, an interested party may object to the imposition of the surcharge or its amount.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-10-2"><num>(2)</num><content><p>An objection under this section to the amount of a surcharge may be made only on the grounds that the amount is not in accordance with the tariff of surcharges specified in regulations under section 9(1).</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-10-3"><num>(3)</num><content><p>An objection under this section is to be made to the Secretary of State in writing.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-10-4"><num>(4)</num><content><p>Regulations must provide for a period within which objections under this section must be made.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-10-5"><num>(5)</num><intro><p>In subsection (1) “<term refersTo="#term-interested-party" eId="term-interested-party">interested party</term>” means—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-10-5-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>a person appearing to the Secretary of State to have a substantial interest in the imposition of the surcharge or its amount, or</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-10-5-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>a body appearing to the Secretary of State to be representative of persons within paragraph (a).</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-10-6"><num>(6)</num><intro><p>Where an objection is made under this section, the Secretary of State must—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-10-6-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>send a copy of the objection to the harbour authority, and</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-10-6-b"><num>(b)</num><intro><p>publish online a notice stating—</p></intro><level class="para2" eId="section-10-6-b-i"><num>(i)</num><content><p>that the objection has been made and the grounds on which it has been made, and</p></content></level><level class="para2" eId="section-10-6-b-ii"><num>(ii)</num><content><p>that representations in relation to the objection may be made to the Secretary of State within the period specified in the notice (which may not be less than six weeks from its publication).</p></content></level></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-10-7"><num>(7)</num><intro><p>If any representations are made under subsection (6)(b)(ii), the Secretary of State must—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-10-7-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>send copies to the harbour authority and the objector, and</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-10-7-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>allow them a reasonable time to comment on the representations.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-10-8"><num>(8)</num><content><p>After the expiry of the period referred to in subsection (6)(b)(ii) and, if relevant, the time referred to in subsection (7)(b), the Secretary of State must, unless the objection is withdrawn, proceed to consider the objection and any representations made.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-10-9"><num>(9)</num><intro><p>Once the objection and any representations have been considered under subsection (8), the Secretary of State may decide—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-10-9-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>to approve the imposition of the surcharge and its amount,</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-10-9-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>to direct the harbour authority to revoke the imposition of the surcharge, or</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-10-9-c"><num>(c)</num><content><p>to direct the harbour authority to increase or decrease the amount of the surcharge so that it is in accordance with the tariff of surcharges specified in regulations under section 9(1).</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-10-10"><num>(10)</num><intro><p>The Secretary of State must—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-10-10-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>communicate the decision to the harbour authority and the objector, and</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-10-10-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>publish the decision online.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-10-11"><num>(11)</num><content><p>The Secretary of State may direct a harbour authority to repay any surcharges that appear to the Secretary of State to be appropriate to be repaid by that authority as the result of a decision under this section (and may vary or revoke any such direction).</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-10-12"><num>(12)</num><content><p>Subsections (6) to (10) do not apply to an objection if the Secretary of State considers that the substance of the objection has already been, or is being, considered under this section in connection with another objection.</p></content></subsection></section><section eId="section-11"><num>11</num><heading>Refusal of harbour access for failure to pay surcharge</heading><subsection eId="section-11-1"><num>(1)</num><intro><p>A harbour authority must refuse access to its harbour to a ship providing a service to which this Act applies if—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-11-1-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>the authority has imposed a surcharge on the operator of the service in respect of the entry into its harbour by any ship providing that service,</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-11-1-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>the operator has not paid the surcharge in accordance with regulations under section 9(4)(c), and</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-11-1-c"><num>(c)</num><content><p>the period within which the surcharge must be paid has expired.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-11-2"><num>(2)</num><content><p>It does not matter for the purposes of subsection (1) whether an objection has been made to the surcharge under section 10.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-11-3"><num>(3)</num><content><p>Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to any surcharge imposed under subsection (3)(a) or (4) of section 6 which would, if paid, be required to be refunded under subsection (5) of that section.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-11-4"><num>(4)</num><intro><p>But a harbour authority must not refuse access to a harbour—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-11-4-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>in cases of <i>force majeure</i>;</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-11-4-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>where there are overriding safety concerns;</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-11-4-c"><num>(c)</num><content><p>where there is a need to reduce or minimise the risk of pollution;</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-11-4-d"><num>(d)</num><content><p>where there is a need to rectify deficiencies on the ship.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-11-5"><num>(5)</num><content><p>The duty under subsection (1) is also subject to any direction given by the Secretary of State under section 16(1)(a).</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-11-6"><num>(6)</num><intro><p>A harbour authority which fails to comply with subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-11-6-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>in England and Wales, to a fine, or</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-11-6-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>in Scotland and Northern Ireland, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-11-7"><num>(7)</num><content><p>Regulations may make provision as to how a harbour authority is to communicate refusal of access under this section.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-11-8"><num>(8)</num><content><p>Nothing in section 33 of the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847 prevents refusal of access to a harbour under this section.</p></content></subsection></section></hcontainer>
<hcontainer xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" xmlns:ukl="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/namespaces/legislation" name="crossheading" ukl:Name="Pblock" eId="crossheading-enforcement-powers"><heading>Enforcement powers</heading><section eId="section-12"><num>12</num><heading>Provision of information by operators</heading><subsection eId="section-12-1"><num>(1)</num><content><p>The Secretary of State may by notice require the operator of a service to which this Act applies to provide information to the Secretary of State for the purpose of—</p></content></subsection><level class="para1" eId="section-12-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>establishing whether the service is or at any time was being operated consistently with an equivalence declaration provided by the operator, or</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-12-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>establishing whether an equivalence declaration provided by the operator is false or misleading in so far as it concerns the operation of the service before the declaration was provided.</p></content></level><subsection eId="section-12-2"><num>(2)</num><intro><p>The information referred to in subsection (1) may in particular include—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-12-2-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>information relating to the service;</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-12-2-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>information relating to persons working on ships providing the service and their remuneration.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-12-3"><num>(3)</num><content><p>Subsection (1) does not require an operator to provide information to the extent that doing so would cause the operator to breach the data protection legislation or the data protection laws of any country or territory outside the United Kingdom (but in determining whether providing information would cause the operator to breach that legislation or those laws, the requirement imposed by subsection (1) is to be taken into account).</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-12-4"><num>(4)</num><content><p>A notice under subsection (1) may require the information to be provided in a manner, and within a period, specified in the notice.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-12-5"><num>(5)</num><intro><p>The operator of a service to which this Act applies is guilty of an offence if the operator—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-12-5-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>fails to provide, in the manner and within the period specified under subsection (4), information required by the Secretary of State under this section,</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-12-5-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>provides information so required that is false or misleading, or</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-12-5-c"><num>(c)</num><content><p>provides information so required that becomes false or misleading and fails to inform the Secretary of State within four weeks that it has become so.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-12-6"><num>(6)</num><intro><p>A person guilty of an offence under subsection (5) is liable on summary conviction—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-12-6-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>in England and Wales, to a fine, or</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-12-6-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>in Scotland and Northern Ireland, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.</p></content></level></subsection></section><section eId="section-13"><num>13</num><heading>Provision of information by harbour authorities</heading><subsection eId="section-13-1"><num>(1)</num><content><p>The Secretary of State may by notice require a harbour authority to provide information to the Secretary of State for the purpose of establishing whether, or to what extent, the authority is complying with its duties under this Act.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-13-2"><num>(2)</num><intro><p>The information referred to in subsection (1) may in particular include information about—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-13-2-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>the services provided by ships that use the harbour,</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-13-2-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>equivalence declarations requested by, or provided to, the harbour authority,</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-13-2-c"><num>(c)</num><content><p>surcharges imposed or received by the harbour authority, and</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-13-2-d"><num>(d)</num><content><p>decisions by the harbour authority to refuse or not refuse access to its harbour pursuant to section 11.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-13-3"><num>(3)</num><content><p>Subsection (1) does not require a harbour authority to provide information to the extent that doing so would cause the authority to breach the data protection legislation (but in determining whether providing information would cause the authority to breach that legislation, the requirement imposed by subsection (1) is to be taken into account).</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-13-4"><num>(4)</num><content><p>A notice under subsection (1) may require the information to be provided in a manner, and within a period, specified in the notice.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-13-5"><num>(5)</num><content><p>A harbour authority is guilty of an offence if it—</p></content></subsection><level class="para1" eId="section-13-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>fails to provide, in the manner and within the period specified under subsection (4), information required by the Secretary of State under this section,</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-13-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>provides information so required that is false or misleading, or</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-13-c"><num>(c)</num><content><p>provides information so required that becomes false or misleading and fails to inform the Secretary of State within four weeks that it has become so.</p></content></level><subsection eId="section-13-6"><num>(6)</num><intro><p>A harbour authority guilty of an offence under subsection (5) is liable on summary conviction—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-13-6-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>in England and Wales, to a fine, or</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-13-6-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>in Scotland and Northern Ireland, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.</p></content></level></subsection></section><section eId="section-14"><num>14</num><heading>Inspections</heading><subsection eId="section-14-1"><num>(1)</num><intro><p>A person appointed by the Secretary of State (an “<term refersTo="#term-inspector" eId="term-inspector">inspector</term>”) may at any reasonable time for the purposes specified in subsection (2)—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-14-1-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>board a ship in a harbour in the United Kingdom, or</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-14-1-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>enter any premises.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-14-2"><num>(2)</num><intro><p>The purposes are—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-14-2-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>establishing whether a service to which this Act applies is or at any time was being operated consistently with an equivalence declaration,</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-14-2-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>establishing whether an equivalence declaration is false or misleading in so far as it concerns the operation of a service before the declaration was provided,</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-14-2-c"><num>(c)</num><content><p>verifying any information provided under section 12,</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-14-2-d"><num>(d)</num><content><p>establishing whether, or to what extent, a harbour authority is complying with its duties under this Act, or</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-14-2-e"><num>(e)</num><content><p>verifying any information provided by a harbour authority under section 13.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-14-3"><num>(3)</num><content><p>A person may be appointed under subsection (1) generally or in a particular case.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-14-4"><num>(4)</num><intro><p>An inspector boarding a ship or entering premises under subsection (1) may—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-14-4-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>make such inspection as the inspector considers necessary;</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-14-4-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>be accompanied by any other person authorised for the purpose by the Secretary of State (generally or in a particular case);</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-14-4-c"><num>(c)</num><intro><p>require any person whom the inspector has reasonable cause to believe is able to give any information relevant to the purposes referred to in subsection (2)—</p></intro><level class="para2" eId="section-14-4-c-i"><num>(i)</num><content><p>to answer such questions as the inspector thinks fit to ask, and</p></content></level><level class="para2" eId="section-14-4-c-ii"><num>(ii)</num><content><p>to sign a statement that the answers are true;</p></content></level></level><level class="para1" eId="section-14-4-d"><num>(d)</num><content><p>require the production of, and inspect and take copies of, any document the inspector considers relevant;</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-14-4-e"><num>(e)</num><content><p>require any person on the ship or in the premises to afford the inspector such facilities and assistance with respect to any matters or things within that person’s control or in relation to which that person has responsibilities as the inspector considers are necessary.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-14-5"><num>(5)</num><intro><p>A person may under subsection (4)(c) be required to answer questions—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-14-5-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>at the time of the inspection or subsequently at a time and place specified by the inspector;</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-14-5-b"><num>(b)</num><intro><p>alone except for—</p></intro><level class="para2" eId="section-14-5-b-i"><num>(i)</num><content><p>any persons whom the inspector may allow to be present, and</p></content></level><level class="para2" eId="section-14-5-b-ii"><num>(ii)</num><content><p>one person nominated by the person on whom the requirement is imposed.</p></content></level></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-14-6"><num>(6)</num><content><p>The power to require the provision of a document under subsection (4)(d) includes power to require the provision in a legible format of any information held in electronic form.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-14-7"><num>(7)</num><intro><p>A person commits an offence if the person—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-14-7-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>intentionally obstructs an inspector in the exercise of the inspector’s powers under this section,</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-14-7-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>fails without reasonable excuse to comply with a requirement imposed under this section or prevents another person from complying with such a requirement, or</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-14-7-c"><num>(c)</num><content><p>makes a statement which the person knows is false or misleading, or recklessly makes a statement which is false or misleading, in purported compliance with a requirement imposed under this section.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-14-8"><num>(8)</num><intro><p>A person guilty of an offence under subsection (7) is liable on summary conviction—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-14-8-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>in England and Wales, to a fine, or</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-14-8-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>in Scotland and Northern Ireland, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.</p></content></level></subsection></section><section eId="section-15"><num>15</num><heading>Prosecution of offences</heading><content><p>In England and Wales and Northern Ireland, proceedings relating to offences under this Act may be instituted and carried on by the Secretary of State.</p></content></section></hcontainer>
<hcontainer xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" xmlns:ukl="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/namespaces/legislation" name="crossheading" ukl:Name="Pblock" eId="crossheading-supplementary"><heading>Supplementary</heading><section eId="section-16"><num>16</num><heading>Directions</heading><subsection eId="section-16-1"><num>(1)</num><intro><p>The Secretary of State may give directions to any one or more harbour authorities requiring them—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-16-1-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>to not do anything they would otherwise be under a duty to do by reason of this Act, or</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-16-1-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>to comply with any of their duties under this Act in a particular way.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-16-2"><num>(2)</num><content><p>Directions under this section may be varied or revoked.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-16-3"><num>(3)</num><content><p>The Secretary of State must publish any directions under this section in such manner as the Secretary of State thinks fit.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-16-4"><num>(4)</num><intro><p>A harbour authority which fails to comply with a direction given to it under this section or section 10(9) or (11) is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-16-4-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>in England and Wales, to a fine, or</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-16-4-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>in Scotland and Northern Ireland, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.</p></content></level></subsection></section><section eId="section-17"><num>17</num><heading>Regulations</heading><subsection eId="section-17-1"><num>(1)</num><content><p>A power to make regulations under this Act is exercisable by the Secretary of State by statutory instrument.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-17-2"><num>(2)</num><intro><p>Regulations under this Act may make—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-17-2-a"><num>(a)</num><intro><p>different provision for different cases, including for different descriptions of—</p></intro><level class="para2" eId="section-17-2-a-i"><num>(i)</num><content><p>service to which this Act applies, or</p></content></level><level class="para2" eId="section-17-2-a-ii"><num>(ii)</num><content><p>non-qualifying seafarers;</p></content></level></level><level class="para1" eId="section-17-2-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>provision conferring a discretion on any person;</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-17-2-c"><num>(c)</num><content><p>consequential, supplementary, incidental or transitional provision.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-17-3"><num>(3)</num><content><p>A statutory instrument containing regulations under this Act, other than regulations under section 1(3), is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-17-4"><num>(4)</num><content><p>The Secretary of State may not make a statutory instrument containing regulations under section 1(3) unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by resolution of, each House of Parliament.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-17-5"><num>(5)</num><content><p>This section does not apply in relation to regulations under section 20.</p></content></subsection></section></hcontainer>
<hcontainer xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" xmlns:ukl="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/namespaces/legislation" name="crossheading" ukl:Name="Pblock" eId="crossheading-general"><heading>General</heading><section eId="section-18"><num>18</num><heading>“Harbour” and “harbour authority”</heading><subsection eId="section-18-1"><num>(1)</num><intro><p>In this Act “harbour” and “harbour authority”—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-18-1-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>in relation to England, Wales and Scotland, have the same meanings as in the Harbours Act 1964, and</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-18-1-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>in relation to Northern Ireland, have the same meanings as in the Harbours Act (Northern Ireland) 1970.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-18-2"><num>(2)</num><content><p>In this Act, references to harbours of a harbour authority are to harbours in respect of which it is the harbour authority.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-18-3"><num>(3)</num><content><p>Where there is more than one harbour authority in respect of a harbour, the Secretary of State may by regulations specify which of them is to be treated as the harbour authority in respect of the harbour for the purposes of this Act.</p></content></subsection></section><section eId="section-19"><num>19</num><heading>General interpretation</heading><intro><p>In this Act—</p></intro><hcontainer name="definition"><content><p>“<term refersTo="#term-the-data-protection-legislation" eId="term-the-data-protection-legislation">the data protection legislation</term>” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3 of that Act);</p></content></hcontainer><hcontainer name="definition"><content><p>“<term refersTo="#term-equivalence-declaration" eId="term-equivalence-declaration">equivalence declaration</term>” has the meaning given by section 3(2);</p></content></hcontainer><hcontainer name="definition"><content><p>“<term refersTo="#term-false-or-misleading" eId="term-false-or-misleading">false or misleading</term>” means false or misleading in a way which is relevant to the operation of any provision of this Act;</p></content></hcontainer><hcontainer name="definition"><content><p>“<term refersTo="#term-maritime-labour-convention" eId="term-maritime-labour-convention">Maritime Labour Convention</term>” means the Maritime Labour Convention adopted on 23 February 2006 by the General Conference of the International Labour Organisation, as amended from time to time;</p></content></hcontainer><hcontainer name="definition"><content><p>“<term refersTo="#term-national-minimum-wage-equivalent" eId="term-national-minimum-wage-equivalent">national minimum wage equivalent</term>” has the meaning given by section 4(6);</p></content></hcontainer><hcontainer name="definition"><content><p>“<term refersTo="#term-non-qualifying-seafarer" eId="term-non-qualifying-seafarer">non-qualifying seafarer</term>” has the meaning given by section 2;</p></content></hcontainer><hcontainer name="definition"><content><p>“<term refersTo="#term-operator" eId="term-operator">operator</term>”, in relation to a service to which this Act applies, means the person who has, or has agreed to take over, in respect of any ship providing the service, the duties and responsibilities imposed on shipowners under the Maritime Labour Convention;</p></content></hcontainer><hcontainer name="definition"><content><p>“<term refersTo="#term-relevant-year" eId="term-relevant-year">relevant year</term>” has the meaning given by section 3(6);</p></content></hcontainer><hcontainer name="definition"><content><p>“<term refersTo="#term-ship" eId="term-ship">ship</term>” has the meaning given by section 1(4);</p></content></hcontainer><hcontainer name="definition"><content><p>“<term refersTo="#term-surcharge" eId="term-surcharge">surcharge</term>” has the meaning given by section 9;</p></content></hcontainer><hcontainer name="definition"><content><p>“<term refersTo="#term-uk-work" eId="term-uk-work">UK work</term>” has the meaning given by section 4(10);</p></content></hcontainer><hcontainer name="definition"><content><p>“<term refersTo="#term-work" eId="term-work">work</term>” has the same meaning as in the National Minimum Wage Act 1998.</p></content></hcontainer></section><section eId="section-20"><num>20</num><heading>Extent, commencement and short title</heading><subsection eId="section-20-1"><num>(1)</num><content><p>This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-20-2"><num>(2)</num><intro><p>The following provisions of this Act come into force on the day on which this Act is passed—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-20-2-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>any provision so far as conferring a power to make regulations;</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-20-2-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>sections 1 and 2, 16 to 19 and this section.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-20-3"><num>(3)</num><content><p>The provisions of this Act not mentioned in subsection (2) come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument appoint.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-20-4"><num>(4)</num><intro><p>Regulations under subsection (3) may—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-20-4-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>appoint different days for different purposes;</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-20-4-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>contain transitional provision.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection eId="section-20-5"><num>(5)</num><content><p>This Act may be cited as the Seafarers’ Wages Act 2023.</p></content></subsection></section></hcontainer>