Section 17: Representative person

17. Representative person (1) Where, under section 16 (3), there is a requirement for a representative person, the owner of the ship shall ensure that, so long as the ship remains registered, an individual or body corporate remains so appointed. (2) The owner of a ship in relation to which a representative person is appointed shall— (a) on application for the ship to be registered, notify the Registrar of the name and address of the representative person; and (b) in the event of a change in the identity, or in the address, of the representative person so appointed, notify the Registrar of the name and address of the new representative person, or of the new address, as the case may be, as soon as practicable after the change occurs, and the Registrar shall record any particulars notified to him in the Register. (3) Every representative person shall, on a request by the Registrar— (a) provide information with respect to the ship in relation to which he is a representative person, or the owner of the ship; and (b) carry out such instructions with respect to his duties and responsibilities in relation to the ship or those of its owner as the Registrar may give. (4) (a) Subject to paragraph (b), a representative person shall, for the purposes of this Act— (i) remain as the representative person in relation to the ship for which he was so appointed; and (ii) be subject to all the requirements of this Act applicable to representative persons and to owners, until such time as the Registrar is notified in accordance with subsection (2) (b) of a change in the identity of the representative person. M62 – 15 [Issue 2] Merchant Shipping Act (b) Paragraph (a) shall not apply where the Registrar is satisfied that it is not desirable or appropriate that the representative person remain as such.