The Merchant Shipping (Light Dues) Regulations 1990
These Regulations replace the Merchant Shipping (Light Dues) Regulations 1989. They make a number of changes:The scale payments per voyage are reduced by about 2% and, in 1990/91 only, the maximum number of liable voyages is reduced from seven to six at an estimated cost of around 11% of revenue.The distinction between home-trade and foreign-going ships for determining the meaning of “voyage” is ended; and all ships are now not to be required to pay dues on more than two voyages a month (formerly applied to home-trade ships only).The half-rate scale for sailing ships is increased to the full rate, and an exemption is introduced for sail training ships.Tugs are to be made liable by reference to their length on the same scale as fishing vessels.The ballast exemption is revised to bring into charge ships which are technically in ballast but are otherwise engaged in other commercial activities.The exemptions for dredgers, hoppers, visiting racing yachts and sailing ships between 20 tons and 100 tons are ended.The minimum charge per voyage is increased to £50, and a similar minimum charge is introduced for fishing vessels and tugs where the periodical payment is calculated on a monthly basis. For liable pleasure craft flat rate charges of £60 a year and £20 for a 30 day visit replace the former tonnage-based charges.The combined effect of these changes is to reduce light dues revenue overall by about 12%.