References:
A. MSN 1794 Counting and Registration of Persons on Board Passenger Ships
B. Port of London River (Amendment) Byelaws 2006
1. The MCA has approved for the Port of London Authority to act as “Passenger Registrar” for passenger
vessels required to report in accordance with MSN 1794 that are fitted with Thames AIS.
2. Vessels seeking to appoint the Port of London Authority as their “Passenger Registrar” should:
Request that the Port of London Authority (PLA) acts as Passenger Registrar in writing (letter to PLA attn VTS Manager or e-mail to b.goldman@pla.co.uk ).
Seek confirmation from the VTS Manager that the Persons On Board (POB) data is being correctly received by London VTS.
Apply to the MCA Marine Office at Orpington and the local police, in accordance with articles 11 and 12 of Reference A, providing a copy of the application to the PLA. (Note: The MCA have agreed to waive charges for the resubmission of applications for the nomination of the PLA as Passenger Registrar as long as applications are received by 31 December 2007.)
Identify an alternative back up system in accordance with article 10 of reference A.
3. POB data will be retained by the PLA for 30 days. POB data will only be archived for longer periods in the
event of an incident. The MCA have agreed that this meets the requirements of Article 9 to Reference A.
4. Operators of passenger vessels should note the requirement to operate Thames AIS and its associated
POB reporting system when within PLA Port Limits in accordance with Reference B, Appendix V. London
Coastguard is collocated with London VTS at the Thames Barrier Navigation Centre, Woolwich and this information is required for search and rescue purposes from all passenger vessels subject to mandatory POB reporting in accordance with Reference B, even if they have not chosen to appoint the PLA as Passenger Registrar
5. Operators of vessels identified at Reference B, byelaw 57A are reminded that the carriage of Thames AIS
is mandatory from 1 June 2007. Any operator unable to meet the mandatory carriage requirement by this
date should seek guidance from the PLA by 1 Jun 07 identifying the reason for non-compliancy and intentions for fitting Thames AIS.
