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Statutory Responsibilities - Regulation of Navigation

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1 The PLA uses a wide range of legislation for the purposes of regulating navigation of vessels on the River Thames, including:

(a) Port of London River Byelaws
(b) General Directions for Navigation in the Port of London
(c) The Port of London Dangerous Substances in Bulk Byelaws
(d) Port of London Craft & Boat Registration and Regulation Byelaws
(e) Pilotage Directions

Also, the Harbourmaster is empowered to give Special Directions to vessels in the Thames.

Navigational advice and information to masters of vessels is regularly published via the two PLA Vessel Traffic Service Centres, and through the issue of Notices to Mariners. Long term situations are dealt with by Permanent Notices to Mariners.

2 Penalties for Infringement of Byelaws and Directions

Statutory maximum penalties which may be imposed by a court for infringement of the various sections of the Port of London Act, River Byelaws and General Directions to Masters of vessels are stated in the Port of London Act of 1968, as amended by the Criminal Justice Act 1982. Infringement of general rules for navigation under the Port of London Act may, on summary conviction, incur a fine not exceeding level five on the statutory scale and on conviction on indictment to an unlimited fee.

Contravention of the Port of London Dangerous Substances in Bulk Byelaws 1991 may, on summary conviction, incur a fine not exceeding the "prescribed sum" within the meaning of the Magistrates Court Act 1980 or on conviction on indictment to an unlimited fine.

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