It was passed on 10 August 1854, together with the Merchant Shipping Repeal Act 1854 (17 & 18 Vict.

c. 120), which together repealed several centuries of preceding maritime legislation.

It introduced the keeping of official numbers for registered ships, and revised calculations of tonnage.

It also (indirectly) created the Sea Gallantry Medal, the only UK state honour created by act of Parliament, rather than royal warrant.

[2] In January 2007, after looting of the cargo of the container ship, the MSC Napoli, acting Receiver of Wreck Mark Rodaway said he would invoke powers of this act for the first time in 100 years,[3] although the extant powers to which he referred are actually held under the more recent, replacement, legislation.