The use of organotin anti-fouling compounds has been restricted in the State under by-law 657 of 1987. This by-law did not, however, apply to any boat used or intended for use solely on the sea, whose hull is made of aluminium alloy or whose overall length is more than 25 metres. The convention applies to all vessels and will enter into force 12 months after its ratification by at least 25 states representing at least 25% of the world's tonnage, a target which has yet to be reached. The convention includes fixed application dates, namely, 1 January 2003 for the prohibition of the application of TBT coatings on ships and 1 January 2008 for the elimination of active TBT coatings on ships.