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:
The following circulars were approved:
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) |