The Guidelines for the Ascertainment of Seaworthiness of Vessels Being Registered as Maltese Ships (Merchant Shipping Notice 127 Rev.3) (the “Notice“) merit careful consideration.
An essential prerequisite for a ship to qualify for registration under the Maltese flag (the “Flag“) is its seaworthiness. The quality and reputation of the Flag depend fundamentally on this concept and on its interpretation by the Registrar of Ships.
Article 206A of the Merchant Shipping Act (the “Act“) provides that:
“The Safety Convention shall, unless otherwise provided in any rules made under articles 207 to 212 (both inclusive), apply to all Maltese ships and to all other ships while they are in Maltese waters as if the requirements thereof were imposed on such ships by rules made under those articles.”
