Maritime safety: standards in respect of shipping using Community ports, package Erika I

The European Parliament approved the resolution by Mr Mark WATTS (PES, UK) on the common position on a directive on international standards for ship safety, pollution prevention and shipboard living and working conditions (Port State Control) with two amendments. The legislation means that ships not respecting international conventions and standards will be banned from Community ports but the amendments seek to require vessels over 300 tonnes to be fitted with 'black boxes' or Voyage Data Recorders within five years. �