Maritime Safety Committee - 81st session: 10-19 May 2006
IMO's Maritime
Safety Committee (MSC) adopted new regulations on Long-Range Identification
and Tracking of ships (LRIT), when it met at the Organization's London Headquarters
for its 81st session from 10 to 19 May 2006.
Other important
issues on the MSC agenda included the adoption of other amendments to the SOLAS
and STCW Conventions, the completion of a major work programme on passenger
ship safety and further development of goal-based standards for new ship construction.
LRIT
Adoption of amendments
Passenger ship safety - major work completed
Star Princess - fire regulations for balconies agreed
Prevention of accidents involving lifeboats
Maritime security - containers
Goal-based new ship construction standards
Review
of the STCW Convention and the STCW Code
Review of Principles of safe manning
Consideration of human element issues in IMO's work
Assessment of the impact and effectiveness of implementation
of the ISM Code
Adoption of new TSS, other routeing measures and ship reporting
system
E-navigation
Protective coatings
Definition of bulk carrier
Explosions on tankers - inter-industry study
Implementation of the revised STCW Convention
Other issues
Resolutions adopted by the MSC
Circulars approved by MSC 81
LRIT
The MSC adopted new regulations for the LRIT together with associated performance
standards and functional requirements.
The new regulation
on LRIT is included in SOLAS chapter V on Safety of Navigation, through which
LRIT will be introduced as a mandatory requirement for the following ships on
international voyages: passenger ships, including high-speed craft; cargo ships,
including high-speed craft, of 300 gross tonnage and upwards; and mobile offshore
drilling units.
The SOLAS
regulation on LRIT establishes a multilateral agreement for sharing LRIT information
for security and search and rescue purposes, amongst SOLAS Contracting Governments,
in order to meet the maritime security needs and other concerns of such Governments.
It maintains the right of flag States to protect information about the ships
entitled to fly their flag, where appropriate, while allowing coastal States
access to information about ships navigating off their coasts. The SOLAS regulation
on LRIT does not create or affirm any new rights of States over ships beyond
those existing in international law, particularly, the United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), nor does it alter or affect the rights, jurisdiction,
duties and obligations of States in connection with UNCLOS.
The LRIT
information ships will be required to transmit include the ship's identity,
location and date and time of the position. There will be no interface between
LRIT and AIS. One of the more important distinctions between LRIT and AIS, apart
from the obvious one of range, is that, whereas AIS is a broadcast system, data
derived through LRIT will be available only to the recipients who are entitled
to receive such information and safeguards concerning the confidentiality of
those data have been built into the regulatory provisions. SOLAS Contracting
Governments will be entitled to receive information about ships navigating within
a distance not exceeding 1000 nautical miles off their coast.
The regulation
foresees a phased-in implementation schedule for ships constructed before its
expected entry into force date of 1 January 2008 and an exemption for ships
operating exclusively in sea area A1 from the requirement to transmit LRIT information,
since such ships are already fitted with AIS. It also identifies which authorities
may have access to LRIT information.
The MSC also
adopted performance standards and functional requirements for LRIT and an MSC
resolution on Arrangements for the timely establishment of the long range identification
and tracking system.
Adoption
of amendments
The MSC adopted a number of other amendments to SOLAS and mandatory codes and
guidelines with an expected entry into force date of 1 July 2010, except where
indicated below.
Amendments
to SOLAS Chapter II-2 - Fire protection
These include amendments relating to Regulation 9 - Containment of fire, so
as to include a requirement for water-mist nozzles which should be tested and
approved in accordance with the guidelines approved by the Organization; and
in Regulation 15 - Arrangements for oil fuel, lubricating oil and other flammable
oils, new text relating to the application of the regulation to ships constructed
on or after 1 February 1992 and on or after 1 July 1998.
Amendments
to SOLAS Chapter III - Life-saving appliances and arrangements
In Regulation 7 - Personal life-saving appliances, the amendments add a new
requirement for infant lifejackets. For passenger ships on voyages of less than
24 hours, a number of infant lifejackets equal to at least 2.5% of the number
of passengers on board is to be provided; and for passenger ships on voyages
of 24 hours or greater, infant lifejackets are to be provided for each infant
on board. A further amendment relates to the provision of lifejackets for larger
passengers and states that, if the adult lifejackets provided are not designed
to fit persons with a chest girth of up to 1,750 mm, a sufficient number of
suitable accessories are to be available on board to allow them to be secured
to such persons.
Amendments
to SOLAS Chapter IV - Radiocommunications
The amendments relate to the provision of radio equipment, in Regulation 7,
to require ships to carry an EPIRB capable of transmitting a distress alert
through the polar orbiting satellite service (COSPAS-SARSAT) operating in the
406 MHz band; and, in Regulations 9 and 10, to clarify that the means of initiating
ship-to-shore distress alerts may be through the Inmarsat geostationary satellite
service by a ship earth station.
Amendments
to SOLAS Chapter V - Safety of navigation
The amendment adds a new paragraph to Regulation 22 - Navigation bridge visibility
to allow ballast water exchange at sea, provided that the master has determined
that it is safe to do so and takes into consideration any increased blind sectors
or reduced horizontal fields of vision resulting from the operation to ensure
that a proper lookout is maintained at all times. The operation should be conducted
in accordance with the ship's ballast water management plan, taking into account
the recommendations on ballast water exchange. The commencement and termination
of the operation should be recorded in the ship's record of navigational activities.
Amendments
to the International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code)
The amendments replace the text of Chapter 5 Fixed gas fire-extinguishing systems
with a revised text.
Amendments
to the International Life-Saving Appliance Code (LSA Code)
The amendments include the requirement that all life saving appliances should
withstand in stowage an air temperature range of 30°C to +65°C and personal
life-saving appliances should remain operational throughout an air temperature
range of -15°C to +40°C. The colour of life-saving appliances is now
specified to be "of international or vivid reddish orange, or a comparably
highly visible colour on all parts where this will assist detection at sea".
The existing section 2.2 on General requirements for lifejackets is revised
and replaced. Further amendments relate to specifications for immersion suits
and anti-exposure suits.
Amendments
to Guidelines for the authorization of organizations acting on behalf of the
Administration (Resolution A.739(18))
The amendments to the guidelines, which are mandatory under SOLAS chapter XI-1,
add a new paragraph 2-1 to require the use of only exclusive surveyors and auditors
for surveys and certification, although radio surveys may be subcontracted to
non-exclusive surveyors.
Amendments
to the STCW Convention and STCW Code
The amendments add new minimum mandatory training and certification requirements
for persons to be designated as ship security officers (SSOs). The amendments
to the STCW Convention and to parts A and B of the STCW Code include Requirements
for the issue of certificates of proficiency for Ship Security Officers; Specifications
of minimum standards of proficiency for ship security officers; and Guidance
regarding training for Ship Security Officers.
Further amendments
to part A of the STCW Code add additional training requirements for the launching
and recovery of fast rescue boats. The amendments have been prepared in response
to reports of injuries to seafarers in numerous incidents involving the launching
and recovery of fast rescue boats in adverse weather conditions.
The anticipated
entry into force date for the STCW amendments is 1 January 2008.
Amendments
to the 1988 SOLAS Protocol
The amendments relate to surveys of structure, machinery and equipment of cargo
ships, to require a minimum of two inspections of the outside of the ship's
bottom during the five year period of validity of the Cargo Ship Safety Construction
Certificate or the Cargo Ship Safety Certificate, except in certain circumstances.
The interval between any two such inspections should not exceed 36 months. The
amendments to the 1988 SOLAS Protocol will be deemed to have been accepted on
the date on which they are accepted by two-thirds of the Parties to the Protocol
and will enter into force six months later.
Amendments
to the IMDG Code
The amendments to the IMDG Code (Amendment 33-06) include those prepared on
the basis of proposals received from Member Governments and Organizations and
those prepared by the UN Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous
Goods and on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling
of Chemicals. They relate to transport of Ethylene Oxide with Nitrogen up to
a total pressure of 1 Mpa (10 bar) at 50oC (UN 1040); Polymeric beads (UN 2211);
Plastics moulding compound (UN 3314); Ammonium Nitrate (UN 1942) and Ammonium
Nitrate Fertilizer (UN 2067); segregation provisions for class 8 acids and alkalis
when not in limited quantities; and the packaging of articles containing dangerous
goods in limited quantities. Governments are invited to apply the amendments
on a voluntary basis from 1 January 2007, pending their entry into force date
on 1 January 2008.
Passenger
ship safety - major work completed
The MSC completed its major work programme item on passenger ship safety, which
has based its guiding philosophy on the premise that the regulatory framework
should place more emphasis on the prevention of a casualty from occurring in
the first place and that future passenger ships should be designed for improved
survivability so that, in the event of a casualty, persons can stay safely on
board as the ship proceeds to port. The Working Group on Passenger Ship Safety
was established to consider the work in detail and a number of amendments to
the SOLAS Convention were approved for adoption at MSC 82 in November-December
2006.
It was noted
that, with regard to the five pillars of the guiding philosophy for the Committee's
passenger ship safety initiative, the following have been achieved since the
work was initiated in 2000:
Prevention: Amendments to SOLAS and the STCW Conventions and supporting guidelines that focus on fire prevention, navigation safety, training and contingency planning.
Improved survivability: Amendments to SOLAS chapters II-1 and II-2 and supporting guidelines that focus on essential system redundancy, management of emergencies and casualty mitigation.
Regulatory flexibility: Amendments to SOLAS chapters II-1 and III and supporting guidelines that focus on promoting, through rigorous evaluation and approval procedures, the regulatory approval of new safety technologies and arrangements.
Operations in areas remote from SAR facilities: Action taken to develop amendments to SOLAS chapter III and supporting guidelines that will focus on reducing the time it takes to recover persons from survival craft and the water; supporting guidelines approved on external support from SAR Authorities, as well as guidance to assist seafarers taking part in SAR operations.
Health safety
and medical care: Supporting guidelines that focus on establishing medical
safety programmes and a revised Guide on Cold Water Survival.
The approved
draft amendments to SOLAS chapters II-1, II-2 and III and the FSS Code relate
to:
- alternative designs and arrangements;
- safe areas and the essential systems to be maintained while a ship proceeds to port after a casualty, which will require redundancy of propulsion and other essential systems;
- on-board safety centres, from where safety systems can be controlled, operated and monitored;
- fixed fire detection and alarm systems, including requirements for fire detectors and manually operated call points to be capable of being remotely and individually identified;
- fire prevention, including amendments aimed at enhancing the fire safety of atriums, the means of escape in case of fire and ventilation systems; and time for orderly evacuation and abandonment, including requirements for the essential systems that must remain operational in case any one main vertical zone is unserviceable due to fire.
The following circulars were approved:
- Guide to recovery techniques;
- Guidelines on the provision of external support as an aid to incident containment for SAR Authorities and others concerned;
- Enhanced contingency planning guidance for passenger ships operating in areas remote from SAR facilities, which includes Criteria for what constitutes an area remote from SAR facilities;
- Guidelines on training of SAR service personnel working in major incidents; and
- Guide for cold water survival.
A draft Assembly
resolution on Guidelines on voyage planning for passenger ships operating in
remote areas was agreed for submission to the next Assembly.
Further consequential
work to be carried out includes the development of guidelines for the approval
of novel life-saving appliances (DE); and guidelines on the lay-out and ergonomic
design of safety centres on passenger ships (Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation
(NAV)).
The MSC also
instructed the Sub-Committee on Stability, Load Lines and Fishing Vessel Safety
(SLF) to consider draft amendments for water ingress detection and flooding
level monitoring systems; and for a safe return to port capability for passenger
ships in damaged condition. The STW Sub-Committee is instructed to review the
guides for recovery techniques and cold water survival from the point of view
of training.
Star
Princess - fire regulations for balconies agreed
The MSC approved draft amendments to SOLAS chapter II-2 and the FSS Code to
strengthen the fire protection arrangements in relation to cabin balconies on
passenger vessels, in the wake of the fire aboard the cruise ship Star Princess.
The fire
in March of this year aboard the Bermuda-registered cruise ship Star Princess,
while on passage between Grand Cayman and Montego Bay, Jamaica, began on an
external balcony and spread over several decks. The cause is currently being
investigated by the UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) on behalf
of the Bermuda Maritime Administration in co-operation with United States' authorities.
Although the investigation is not yet complete, the MAIB and the International
Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) issued a safety bulletin and a safety notice,
respectively, which include urgent safety recommendations pertaining to the
incident and a related paper was submitted to the MSC by the United Kingdom,
which the Committee agreed to fast track.
The proposed
draft amendments to SOLAS chapter II-2 are aimed at ensuring that existing regulations
4.4 (Primary deck coverings), 5.3.1.2 (Ceilings and linings), 5.3.2 (Use of
combustible materials), 6 (Smoke generation potential and toxicity) are also
applied to cabin balconies on new passenger ships.
For existing
passenger ships, the MSC approved relevant provisions to require that furniture
on cabin balconies be of restricted fire risk unless fixed water spraying systems,
fixed fire detection and fire alarm systems are fitted and that partitions separating
balconies be constructed of non combustible materials, similar to the provisions
for new passenger ships.
The draft
amendments will be circulated with a view to their adoption at MSC 82 in November-December
this year.
It was agreed
that the Sub-Committee on Fire Protection (FP) should review the fire safety
of external areas on passenger ships and develop draft guidance for the approval
of fixed water-spraying, fire detection and fire alarm systems for cabin balconies,
taking into account that some existing passenger ships are already installing
such systems in response to the Star Princess fire.
The MSC in
the meantime agreed an MSC circular on Operational recommendations for passenger
ships with cabin balconies. The circular recommends that the shipping industry
implement a number of recommendations including increased vigilance such as
the deployment of lookouts, fire patrols and television surveillance systems;
passengers and crew should be advised not to leave towels and personal belongings
on balconies; and passengers and crew should be reminded of the hazards associated
with the use of unauthorized heating elements such as electrical heating coils
used in cups or mugs and open flames such as candles.
Prevention
of accidents involving lifeboats
The MSC approved for subsequent adoption a proposed draft amendment to SOLAS
regulation III/19.3.3.4 concerning provisions for the launch of free-fall lifeboats
during abandon-ship drills. The amendment will allow, during the abandon-ship
drill, for the lifeboat to either be free-fall launched with only the required
operating crew on board, or lowered into the water by means of the secondary
means of launching without the operating crew on board, and then manoeuvred
in the water by the operating crew. The aim is to prevent accidents with lifeboats
occurring during abandon-ship drills.
Meanwhile,
the MSC agreed an MSC circular on Early implementation of draft SOLAS regulation
III/19.3.3.4; an MSC circular on Guidelines for developing operation
and maintenance manuals for lifeboat systems and an MSC circular on Measures
to prevent accidents with lifeboats consolidating previous circulars MSC/Circ.1049,
MSC/Circ.1093, MSC/Circ.1136 and MSC/Circ.1137. The consolidated circular includes
the Guidelines for periodic servicing and maintenance of lifeboats, launching
appliances and on-load release gear; Guidance on safety during abandon-ship
drills using lifeboats; and Guidelines for simulated launching of free-fall
lifeboats.
Maritime
security - containers
Following the adoption by the World Customs Organization (WCO) in June 2005
of the Framework of Standards to secure and facilitate global trade (the Framework
of Standards), the MSC discussed the carriage of closed cargo transport units
and of freight containers transported by ships and referred the matter to the
Ship/Port Interface (SPI) Working Group, a working group of the Facilitation
Committee which also reports to the MSC on relevant matters, for further consideration.
If appropriate,
the SPI Working Group will develop draft amendments to the SOLAS Convention
in order to enable port facilities and ships to accept closed cargo transport
units and freight containers for carriage by ship, without the need for further
security checks other than the maintenance of access controls, where the security
of such consignments has been established through the application of security
measures consistent with the Framework of Standards.
The SPI Working
Group will also consider whether other IMO instruments and guidance should be
amended to include provisions on supply chain security and facilitation.
Goal-based
new ship construction standards
The MSC continued its work on developing goal-based standards (GBS) for new
ship construction. The work has a five-tier structure: goals (Tier I), functional
requirements (Tier II), verification of compliance criteria (Tier III), technical
procedures and guidelines, classification rules and industry standards (Tier
IV) and codes of practice and safety and quality systems for shipbuilding, ship
operation, maintenance, training, manning, etc. (Tier V).
Intersessional
work by a correspondence group was reviewed by the MSC and a GBS Working Group
continued the work during the session. The work plan for GBS includes consideration
of the probabilistic safety level methodology in the framework of GBS; completion
of Tier II - functional requirements; development of Tier III - verification
of compliance criteria; implementation of GBS; incorporation of GBS into IMO
instruments; development of a ship construction file and consideration of the
need for the development of a ship inspection and maintenance file; and consideration
of the need to review consistency and adequacy of scope across the tiers.
In relation
to GBS for bulk carriers and oil tankers, the MSC agreed Tier I goals and Tier
II functional requirements, including a new requirement concerning recycling,
with the proviso that these might need to be adjusted following completion of
Tier III (verification of compliance).
In terms of Tier III, the MSC noted that the GBS working group proposed that
the verification would be carried out by an expert group composed of independent
experts nominated by Administrations according to their knowledge and expertise
relevant to the subject under consideration. Tier III verification criteria
would contain the information necessary to guide the group of experts to complete
the verification of the classification society rules. Requests for verification
could be submitted by a single classification society or by a group of classification
societies.
In terms
of incorporation of GBS in IMO instruments, there was general agreement that
Tier I should be prepared in the form of amendments to SOLAS chapter II-1, whereas
Tiers II and III could be included in a separate Code or a resolution, to be
made mandatory under the SOLAS amendments. The Tier III process details as well
as the Tier III verification guidelines could be footnoted as guidelines to
be developed by the Organization so that they could be easily amended if necessary.
In considering
the work outstanding in order to implement GBS for new ship construction for
bulk carriers and oil tankers, it was agreed that carrying out a pilot project
using the IACS Common Structural Rules (CSR) would be advantageous to help uncover
issues that had not been discussed and resolved previously and to also determine
what, if any, changes were needed. This pilot project should be completed before
amending SOLAS.
The MSC established
a correspondence group to progress work intersessionally and a second correspondence
group to work on the safety level approach for developing GBS.
Review
of the STCW Convention and the STCW Code
The MSC agreed that a comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and STCW Code
is needed, in order to ensure that the Convention meets the new challenges facing
the shipping industry including, but not limited to, rapid technological advances
today and in the future. The MSC instructed the STW sub-Committee to define,
as a first step, the issues to be reviewed and advise the MSC accordingly, before
embarking on the actual work. A target completion date of 2008 was agreed.
Review
of Principles of safe manning
The MSC also agreed the STW Sub-Committee should include a new work programme
item on review of the principles for establishing the safe manning levels of
ships, with a target completion date of 2008 and working in co-operation with
the NAV Sub-Committee as necessary.
Consideration
of human element issues in IMO's work
The report of the Joint MSC/MEPC Working Group on Human Element, which was reconvened
during the fifty third session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee
(18 to 22 July 2005) was considered. The MSC approved MSC/MEPC circulars on:
checklist for considering human element issues by IMO bodies; strengthening
of human element input to the work of IMO; framework for IMO consideration of
ergonomics and work environment; and the Organization's strategy to address
the human element, which includes a related action plan.
Assessment
of the impact and effectiveness of implementation of the ISM Code
The MSC reviewed the report of a study on the impact and effectiveness of the
ISM Code which was carried out by a Group of Independent Experts selected from
administrations, organizations, academia and the shipping industry. Based on
the data collected, the group concluded that where the ISM Code had been embraced
as a positive step toward efficiency through a safety culture, tangible positive
benefits were evident; and ISM Code compliance could be made easier through
a reduction in the administrative process. The Group recommended that a further
study should be undertaken, at a later date. The MSC agreed that the Human Element
Working Group should further examine the report at its next meeting.
Adoption
of new TSS, other routeing measures and ship reporting system
The MSC adopted a new traffic separation scheme (TSS) "The Canary Islands"
and amendments to existing TSSs "In the Strait of Juan de Fuca and its
approaches"; "Off Cabo de Gata"; "Off Porkkala Lighthouse";
and "In the Strait of Dover and Adjacent Waters". It also adopted
routeing measures other than TSSs, namely new areas to be avoided in the Dover
Strait and Canary Islands and a new mandatory ship reporting system for the
Canary Islands. The new TSS, amendments to existing TSSs, routeing measures
and mandatory reporting system should be implemented six months after their
adoption, i.e. on 1 December 2006 at 0000 hours UTC.
E-navigation
The MSC decided to include, in the work programmes of the NAV and Radiocommunications
and Search and Rescue (COMSAR) Sub-Committees, a high priority item on "Development
of an e-navigation strategy", with a target completion date of 2008 and
with the NAV Sub-Committee acting as co-ordinator. NAV 52, which meets in July
2006, was instructed to give preliminary consideration to this important topic.
The aim is to develop a strategic vision for e-navigation, to integrate existing and new navigational tools, in particular electronic tools, in an all-embracing system that will contribute to enhanced navigational safety (with all the positive repercussions this will have on maritime safety overall and environmental protection) while simultaneously reducing the burden on the navigator. As the basic technology for such an innovative step is already available, the challenge lies in ensuring the availability of all the other components of the system, including electronic navigational charts, and in using it effectively in order to simplify, to the benefit of the mariner, the display of the occasional local navigational environment. E-navigation would thus incorporate new technologies in a structured way and ensure that their use is compliant with the various navigational communication technologies and services that are already available, providing an overarching, accurate, secure and cost-effective system with the potential to provide global coverage for ships of all sizes.
Protective
coatings
The MSC approved the Performance standard for protective coatings of dedicated
seawater ballast tanks on all new ships and of double-side skin spaces of bulk
carriers, for adoption by MSC resolution at the next session (MSC 82).
Draft amendments
to SOLAS regulations II-1/3-2 and XII/6 concerning the mandatory performance
standard for protective coatings were also approved, for future adoption. It
was agreed that that the performance standard should apply to ships for which
the building contract is placed on or after 1 July 2008; or in the absence of
a building contract, the keels of which are laid on or after 1 January 2009,
or the delivery of which is on or after 1 July 2012.
The MSC also
approved an MSC circular on Application of SOLAS regulation XII/6.3 on corrosion
prevention of double side skin spaces and dedicated seawater ballast tanks of
bulk carriers and application of the performance standard for protective coatings
for dedicated seawater ballast tanks on all new ships and double-side skin spaces
of bulk carriers.
Definition
of bulk carrier
The MSC approved an MSC circular on Interim Guidance on compliance of ships
carrying dry cargoes in bulk with requirements of SOLAS chapters II-1, III,
IX, XI-1 and XII. The guidance is intended to address the concern that, while
a bulk carrier is identified through its Safety Construction and Safety Equipment
Certificates and its Safety Management Certificate, the status of a ship which
is not certified as a bulk carrier but nevertheless carries a cargo in bulk,
might cause problems and be questioned by port State control (PSC) officers
for non-compliance with SOLAS chapter XII. Meanwhile, the DE Sub-Committee was
instructed to review recommendations of the Sub-Committee on Flag State Implementation
(FSI) concerning the definition of bulk carriers and the approval for the carriage
of dry cargoes in bulk and to report to MSC 83.
Explosions
on tankers - inter-industry study
The MSC reviewed the report of the Inter-Industry Working Group (IIWG) which
was established to study the reported incidents of explosions on chemical and
product carriers. The IIWG had concluded that a failure to follow procedures
was the primary cause of the incidents in question and a Human Factors Task
Group, which is looking into ways of addressing this issue in the context of
tankers, has been established by the IIWG. The IIWG recommended that, as an
additional safety measure, the MSC give consideration to amending SOLAS to provide
for the application of inert gas to new chemical tankers and new product tankers
of less than 20,000 dwt.
The MSC referred
the human element issues identified in the IIWG report to the joint MSC/MEPC
Working Group on the Human Element and, noting the view that a formal safety
assessment (FSA) study and cost/benefit analysis should be carried out before
decisions are made, referred the issues related to the proposals on inert gas
to the FP and DE Sub-Committees. The MSC also referred issues relating to ignition
sources, also identified in the report as a problem, to the FP and DE Sub-Committees.
Concerns about the availability of incident data were referred to the FSI Sub-Committee.
Implementation
of the revised STCW Convention
The list of Parties deemed to be giving full and complete effect to the provisions
of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended, was updated when IMO Secretary-General
Efthimios Mitropoulos submitted his report on those countries whose reports
of independent evaluations had been completed since the previous MSC meeting.
The Committee confirmed that the procedures for the assessment of information
provided had been correctly followed in respect of 24 STCW Parties and four
overseas territories of another STCW Party.
Other
issues
The MSC also agreed amendments to the 1994 and 2000 High-Speed Craft (HSC) Codes;
amendments to the revised performance standards for shipborne voyage data recorders
(VDRs) (resolution A.861(20)) and simplified voyage data recorders (S-VDRs)
(resolution MSC.163(78)), for which carriage requirements enter into force on
1 July 2006; an MSC circular on Means of embarkation on and disembarkation from
ships; an MSC/MEPC circular on IMO requirements on carriage of publications
on board ships; and approved amendments to unified interpretations to SOLAS
chapters II-1 and XII.
Resolutions
adopted by the MSC
| MSC.201(81) | Adoption of amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended |
| MSC.202(81) | Adoption of amendments to SOLAS Chapter V - LRIT |
| MSC.203(81) | Adoption of amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended |
| MSC.204(81) | Adoption of amendments to the Protocol of 1988 relating to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended |
| MSC.205(81) | Adoption of amendments to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code |
| MSC.206(81) | Adoption of amendments to the International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code) |
| MSC.207(81) | Adoption of amendments to the International Life-Saving Appliances Code (LSA Code) |
| MSC.208(81) | Adoption of amendments to the Guidelines for authorization of Organizations acting on behalf of the Administration (Resolution A.739(18) |
| MSC.209(81) | Adoption of amendments to Part A of the Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Code (STCW Code) |
| MSC.210(81) | Performance standards and functional requirements for the long-range identification and tracking of ships |
| MSC.211(81) | Arrangements for the timely establishment of the long-range identification and tracking system |
| MSC.212(81) | Adoption of amendments to the Bulk Chemical (BCH) Code |
| MSC.213(81) | New mandatory ship reporting system |
| MSC.214(81) | Amendments to the Revised performance standards for shipborne voyage data recorders (VDRs) (resolution A.861(20)) and simplified voyage data recorders (S-VDRs) (resolution MSC.163(78)) |
Circulars
approved by MSC 81
MSC.1
circulars
| MSC.1/Circ.1181 | Amendments to the IAMSAR Manual |
| MSC.1/Circ.1182 | Guide to recovery techniques |
| MSC.1/Circ.1183 | Guidelines on the provision of external support as an aid to incident containment for SAR Authorities and others concerned |
| MSC.1/Circ.1184 | Enhanced contingency planning guidance for passenger ships operating in areas remote from SAR facilities |
| MSC.1/Circ.1185 | Guide for cold water survival |
| MSC.1/Circ.1186 | Guidelines on training of SAR service personnel working in major incidents |
| MSC.1/Circ.1187 | Operational recommendations for passenger ships with cabin balconies |
| MSC.1/Circ.1188 | Guidelines on the training and certification of port facility security officers |
| MSC.1/Circ.1189 | Interim scheme for the compliance of special purpose ships with the special measures to enhance maritime security |
| MSC.1/Circ.1190 | Guidance on the provision of information for identifying ships when transmitting ship security alerts |
| MSC.1/Circ.1191 | Reminder of the obligation to notify flag States when exercising control and compliance measures |
| MSC.1/Circ.1192 | Guidance on voluntary self-assessment by SOLAS Contracting Governments and by port facilities |
| MSC.1/Circ.1193 | Guidance on voluntary self-assessment by Administrations and for ship security |
| MSC.1/Circ.1194 | Effective implementation of SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code |
| MSC.1/Circ.1195 | Guidelines for the conduct of high-speed craft model tests |
| MSC.1/Circ.1196 | Means of embarkation on and disembarkation from ships |
| MSC.1/Circ.1197 | Amendments to unified interpretations to SOLAS chapters II-1 and XII approved by MSC.Circ.1176 |
| MSC.1/Circ.1198 | Application of SOLAS regulation XII/6.3 on corrosion prevention of double-side skin spaces and dedicated seawater ballast tanks of bulk carriers and application of the performance standard for protective coatings for dedicated seawater ballast tanks on all new ships and double-side skin spaces of bulk carriers |
| MSC.1/Circ.1199 | Interim Guidance on compliance of ships carrying dry cargoes in bulk with requirements of SOLAS chapters II-1, III, IX, XI-1 and XII |
| MSC.1/Circ.1060/Add.1 | Amendment to the Guidance note on the preparation of proposals on ships' routeing systems and ship reporting systems for submission to the Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation (MSC/Circ.1060) |
| MSC.1/Circ.1200 | Interim Guidelines for alternative assessment of the weather criterion |
| MSC.1/Circ.1201 | Contact information for the designated competent authority |
| MSC.1/Circ.1202 | Inspection programmes for cargo transport units carrying dangerous goods |
| MSC.1/Circ.1025/Add.1 | Amendments to the revised EmS Guide |
| MSC.1/Circ.1203 | Unified interpretations to SOLAS chapter II-2 and the fire test procedures referred to in the FTP Code |
| MSC.1/Circ.1204 | Early application of amendment to SOLAS regulation II-2/4.5.2.3 |
| MSC.1/Circ.1205 | Guidelines for developing operation and maintenance manuals for lifeboat systems |
| MSC.1/Circ.1206 | Measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats |
| MSC.1/Circ.1207 | Early implementation of draft SOLAS regulation III/19.3.3.4 |
| MSC.1/Circ.1208 | Promoting and verifying continued familiarization of GMDSS operators on board ships |
| MSC.1/Circ.1209 | Information on simulators available for use in maritime training |
| MSC.1/Circ.1164/Rev.1 | Promulgation of information related to reports of independent evaluation submitted by Parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, confirmed by the Maritime Safety Committee to have communicated information which demonstrates that Parties are giving full and complete effect to the relevant provisions of the Convention |
| MSC.1/Circ.797/Rev.13 | Competent persons nominated by Governments |
| MSC.1/Circ.1210 | COSPAS-SARSAT International 406 MHz Beacon Registration Database |
| MSC.1/Circ.1211 | Unified interpretations to SOLAS regulation II-1/10 and regulation 12 of the revised SOLAS chapter II-1 regarding bow doors and the extension of the collision bulkhead |
Joint MSC
- MEPC circulars
| MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.1 | Disposal of fumigants |
| MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.2 | IMO requirements on carriage of publications on board ships |
| MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.3 | Guidelines on the basic elements of a shipboard occupational health and safety programme |
| MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.4 | Early application of the amendments to the fire protection requirements of the IBC Code |
| MSC-MEPC.7/Circ.1 | Checklist for considering human element issues by IMO bodies |
| MSC-MEPC.7/Circ.2 | Strengthening of human element input to the work of IMO |
| MSC-MEPC.7/Circ.3 | Framework for consideration of ergonomics and work environment |
| MSC-MEPC.7/Circ.4 | Organization's strategy to address the human element |
Other
circulars
| STCW.6/Circ.9 | Amendments to part B of the STCW Code relating to the certificate of proficiency for ship security officer |
| STCW.6/Circ.10 | Amendments to part B of the STCW Code relating to guidance on familiarization and training for seafarers serving on board ships fitted with free-fall lifeboats |
| COLREG.2/Circ.57 | New and amended traffic separation schemes, and associated routeing measures |
| SN.1/Circ.253 | Routeing measures other than traffic separation scheme |
| SN.1/Circ.254 | New mandatory ship reporting system for the Canary Islands (as associated protective measures for the Canary Islands PSSA) |
Briefing 19, 25 May 2006
For further information please contact:Lee Adamson, Head, Public Information Services on 020 7587 3153 (media@imo.org) or
Natasha Brown, External Relations Officer on 020 7587 3274 (media@imo.org).
