(b) substantial structural alterations or major repairs are made to the vessel as a result of long-range plans and not as a result of an accident or emergency.

3. In the case of a ship in the process of building and/or reconversion on the date of the coming into force of this Convention for the territory of registration, the competent authority may, after consultation with the organisations of shipowners and/or the shipowners and with the bona fide trade unions of seafarers, require such alterations for the purpose of bringing the ship into conformity with the requirements of the Convention as it deerns possible having regard to the practical problems involved; such alterations shall constitute final compliance with the terms of this Convention, unless and until the ship be re-registered.

4. In the case of a ship, other than such a ship as is referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article or a ship to which the provisions of this Convention were applicable while she was under construction, being re-registered in a territory after the date of the coming into force of this Convention for that territory, the competent authority may, after consultation with the organisations of shipowners and/or the shipowners and with the bona fide trade unions of seafarers, require such alterations for the purpose of bringing the ship into conformity with the requirements of the Convention as it deerns possible having regard to the practical problems involved; such alterations shall constitute final compliance with the terms of this Convention, unless and until the ship is again re-registered.

PART V

Final Provisions

Article 19

Nothing in this Convention shall affect any law, award, custom or agreement between shipowners and seafarers which ensures more favourable conditions than those provided for by this Convention.

Article 20

The formal ratifications of this Convention shall be communicated to the Director-General of the International Labour Office for registration.

Article 21

1. This Convention shall be binding only upon those Members of the International Labour Organisation whose ratifications have been registered with the Director-General.

2. It shall come into force six months after the date on which there have been registered ratifications by seven of the following countries: United States of America, Argentine Republic, Australia,