Introduction The EU Passenger Liability Regulation 392/2009 (PLR) entered into force on 31 December 2012 in all States that are members of the European Union or the European Economic Area [r eferences to the EU should be taken to include the EEA ]. The Regulation is based upon the Athens Convention 2002 and sets out a comprehensive regime for providing compensation for claims for passenger injury and death. The Athens Convention 2002 entered into force on 23 April 2014. PLR entered into force from the end of 2012 for international carriage in the European Union or on EU flag vessels. It also applies to many seagoing domestic voyages after an optional phasing in period for certain catergories of vessel. A central feature of PLR and the Athens Convention is the requirement for compulsory insurance. Shipowners who have vessels which are subject to the Regulation will need to ensure that a Certificate is carried on board issued by an EU or EEA Member State or a state party to to the Convention confirming that the required insurance is in place. The International Group issued Circulars on PLR 21 September, 6 & 13 December 2012. A further Circular on the Athens Convention was published on 23 April 2014.   Background In 2002 a Diplomatic Conference of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted a Protocol to the Athens Convention 1974, creating the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea 2002. The European Union has a stated policy of strengthening the protection of passengers in all modes of transport and has encouraged Members States to ratify the Convention. However, the Convention only entered into force on 23 April 2014 12 months after ratification by ten states. The substance of the Convention was incorporated in EU Passenger Liability Regulation 392/2009 (PLR) which came into effect more than two years before the Convention on 31 December 2012. It introduced significant new compensation and