A more thorough explanation:

The Merchant Shipping Acts are a set of English laws that were created to improve the conditions of shipping. One of the main goals of these acts was to give the board of trade the power to oversee and regulate merchant shipping.

For example, one of the Merchant Shipping Acts required that all ships be inspected and certified before they could be used for commercial purposes. This helped to ensure that the ships were safe and seaworthy, which reduced the risk of accidents and loss of life at sea.

Another example of a Merchant Shipping Act was the requirement that all ships carry a certain amount of life-saving equipment, such as lifeboats and life jackets. This helped to increase the chances of survival in the event of an emergency.

Overall, the Merchant Shipping Acts were an important step forward in improving the safety and efficiency of shipping in England.