This document establishes the legal framework for the application of the Merchant Shipping Act to the Pitcairn Islands. The text, issued by the government of Great Britain, serves as a formal legislative instrument to extend specific maritime regulations to the territory. It provides the necessary legal authority to govern shipping operations, safety standards, and vessel registration within the jurisdiction of the Pitcairn Islands.

Legal professionals and maritime historians utilize this document as a primary source for understanding the legislative history of the Pitcairn Islands. It is recognized as a technical instrument intended for regulatory reference rather than general reading.