Point of law of public importance

On July 21, 1980, the Divisional Court, although refusing leave to appeal to the House of Lords, certified that a point of law of general public importance was involved in the decision. That point was “whether under s.27(1) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1970 the admission by the master of a ship registered in the U.K. that it was his responsibility to ensure a proper anchor watch was kept and that such watch was not kept (although proper orders had been issued by him for this to be done) is sufficient to justify conviction under the section”.