DEFRA is consulting on three draft Noise Action Plans covering roads, railways and agglomerations (large urban areas). Consultation closes 15th November.  This consultation is on the third round of noise action plans which will replace those previously adopted. The action plans have been prepared in line with the terms of the Environmental Noise Directive (END), which requires Member States to produce noise maps every five years. They chart the level of noise from industry and transport sources, and the number of people exposed to it. The action plans provide guidance for those responsible for managing the noise on how best to do so. https://consult.defra.gov.uk/environmental-quality/noise/

The Marine and Coastguard Agency is consulting on revisions to MGN 570 Emergency Drills and MGN 571 Prevention of Man Overboard.  Consultation closes 31st October.

These MGNs are being updated to reflect the implementation of the ILO Work in Fishing Convention C.188 and the future publication of MGN 588 – Compulsory Provision and Wearing of Personal Floatation Devices on Fishing Vessels. These MGNs will replace MGN 570(F) – Fishing Vessels: Emergency Drills and MGN 571(F) Fishing Vessels: Prevention of Man Overboard.   https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-revisions-to-mgn-570-emergency-drills-and-mgn-571-prevention-of-man-overboard

The Marine and Coast Guard Agency is consulting on changes to the Merchant Shipping (Safety of Navigation) Regulations.  Consultation closes 19th November.  The change is to bring up to date the UK’s transposition of Chapter V (Safety of Navigation) of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 (SOLAS). The change will also introduce a facility to incorporate any future amendments to the technical standards in the Chapter into UK law by reference on an ongoing basis, instead of transposing it provision by provision.  https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-the-merchant-shipping-safety-of-navigation-regulations