This order establishes the legal framework for the application of the Merchant Shipping Act 1979 to the territory of Saint Helena. The document, issued by the government of Great Britain, serves as a formal legislative instrument to extend specific maritime regulations and safety standards to the jurisdiction of Saint Helena. It provides the necessary legal authority to ensure that shipping operations within the territory align with the broader statutory requirements of the United Kingdom's maritime legal code.

Legal professionals and maritime historians utilize this document as a primary source for understanding the legislative history of Saint Helena's shipping regulations. It is regarded as a technical administrative record rather than a narrative text.