S.L. 234.34 Art. 12Exemptions and exceptions.

(1) The Minister may exempt any fishing vessel that embodies features of a novel kind from any of the requirements of these regulations, the application of which might seriously impede research into the development of such features and their incorporation in vessels. Any such vessel shall, however, comply with safety requirements, which, in the opinion of the Minister, are adequate for the service for which it is intended and are such as to ensure the overall safety of the vessel.

(2) The Minister may exempt any fishing vessel engaged solely in fishing near the coast of Malta from any of the requirements of these regulations if he considers that their application is unreasonable and impracticable in view of the distance of the vessel’s operating area from its port of departure in Malta, the type of vessel, the weather conditions and the absence of general navigational hazards, provided that it complies with safety requirements which, in the opinion of the Minister, are adequate for the service for which it is intended and are such as to ensure the overall safety of the vessel.

(3) The Minister may under conditions that he may deem fit allow exceptions to the limits laid down in regulation 10, including the establishment of reference periods. Such exceptions shall, as far as possible, comply with the standards laid down in these regulations but may take account of more frequent or longer leave periods or the granting of compensatory leave for the workers.