New SOLAS regulation III/1.5, which is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2013, requires that for all ships, on-load release mechanisms* not complying with paragraphs 4.4.7.6.4 to 4.4.7.6.6 of the LSA Code, as amended by resolution MSC.320(89) (hereinafter called "the LSA Code"), be replaced or modified not later than the next scheduled dry-docking after 1 July 2014, but not later than 1 July 2019.
2. Considering that paragraphs 4.4.7.6.4 to 4.4.7.6.6 of the LSA Code represent important safety improvements, manufacturers should carry out a self assessment of their types of existing lifeboat release and retrieval systems in accordance with these Guidelines at the earliest available opportunity.
General information for existing ships, i.e. constructed before 2010-01-01. In order to implement the operational requirements for the load testing of gangways and accommodation ladders stated in MSC.1/Circ.1331, the fi rst load test is to be carried out in conjunction with the delivery of the vessel or, for ships delivered before 2010-01-01, at the fi rst scheduled dry-docking of the vessel after 2010-01-01
In order to implement the operational requirements for the load testing of gangways and accommodation ladders stated in MSC.1/Circ.1331, the fi rst load test is to be carried out..
The Gard P&I Club issues news alert regarding Mediterranean countries agree on voluntary interim ballast water management regulations as follows:
The Ballast Water Management Convention (BWM Convention) was adopted in 2004 and will enter into force 12 months after the date on which not less than 30 States, the combined merchant fleets of which constitutes not less than 35% of the gross tonnage of the world merchant shipping, have ratified it. As of December 2011, 32 States have ratified the Convention, the last two States acceding to the Convention being Montenegro and Lebanon, but the current contracting parties still represent only 26.46% of the world tonnage.
It has come to our attention that the Port Health Authorities - ANVISA, at the ports of Rio de Janeiro and São Francisco do Sul, have become rigorous in the inspections of vessels calling at these ports. They are now asking for certificates of compliance with what is foreseen in the articles 61 and 80 of the Resolution 72, of 29.12.2009. These resolutions translated read as follows:
Club correspondents Representacoes Proinde (Rio) Ltda. Rio de Janeiro, have advised that fines are being imposed in certain ports in Rio de Janeiro State if vessels are unable to produce evidence that insect and rodent infestation have been subject to control procedures within the previous six months.
Unlike most other countries, holding a Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate is not considered to be sufficient. Fines are not governed by a set tariff and are typically in the region of US$ 10,000.
As already advised in ClassNK Technical Information No.TEC-0771 issued on 13 May 2009, the limit value of the sulphur content of any fuel oil used onboard ships will be changed from 4.50% m/m to 3.50% m/m on 1 January 2012 in accordance with Regulation 14 of MARPOL ANNEX VI.
Information on Emission Control Areas (hereinafter referred to as ECA) specified in MARPOL ANNEX VI (hereinafter referred to as ANNEX VI) has already been provided in ClassNK Technical Information No.TEC-0654 issued on 13 April 2006, No.TEC-0771 issued on 13 May 2009 and No.TEC-0832 issued on 11 November 2010.
In this connection, the United States Caribbean Sea area has been designated as a new ECA in accordance with the amendments to ANNEX VI adopted at the 62nd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 62) held in July 2011.
The West of England P&I Club issues New Guidelines for the Carriage of Bulk Blends of Petroleum Oil and Bio-Fuels as follows:
The IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee has recently approved the "2011 Guidelines for the Carriage of Blends of Petroleum Oil and Bio-Fuels". The new guidelines, contained in the Annex to MEPC.1/Circ.761, are effective from 1 September 2011, when they will replace the existing interim guidelines.
Article 60. The vessel's air conditioning system components shall be kept in good maintenance, operation, control and cleaning conditions. Sub-article 1. The compartment where the mixing box for outdoor air and return air is located shall be used exclusively for the air conditioning system and other materials, products or utensils are not allowed to be kept in said compartment.
These guidelines are intended as advice on the preparation of damage control plans for passenger and cargo ships to which SOLAS regulations II-1/23, II-1/23-1 and II-1/25-8 apply.
2 General
2.1 The damage control plan and damage control booklet are intended to provide ship's officers with clear information on the ship's watertight compartmentation and equipment related to maintaining the boundaries and effectiveness of the compartmentation so that, in the event of damage to the ship causing flooding, proper precautions can be taken to prevent progressive flooding through openings therein and effective action can be taken quickly to mitigate and, where possible, recover the ship's loss of stability.
The IMO's Maritime Safety Committee, at its eighty-eighth session (MSC 88), (24/11 -3/12 2010), approved amendments to SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 23 which, inter alia, includes amendments to the Required Boarding Arrangements for Pilots (Resolution MSC.308(88)).
The existing Required Boarding Arrangements for Pilot poster will, therefore, become incorrect once the provisions of MSC.308(88) enter into force. This will happen on 1 July 2012.
IMO’ Maritime Safety Committee at its 89th session agreed 20 May 2011 upon several items concerning lifeboat release and retrieval systems.
The following items were covered: 1. Amendments to Regulation III/1 of SOLAS entering into force 1 July 2014. A new sub-paragraph 5 requires that for all ships, lifeboat on-load release mechanism shall meet new requirements of the amended LSA Code not later than the first scheduled dry-docking after 1 July 2014, but not later than 1 July 2019.
This notification is to advise that the BMA has issued the following Bulletins, which are available for downloading from our website (http://www.bahamasmaritime.com)
1 Bulletin 98 rev 02 SERVICING OF MARINE EVACUATION SYSTEMS, INFLATABLE LIFERAFTS, INFLATED RESCUE BOATS, INFLATABLE LIFEJACKETS AND HYDROSTATIC RELEASE UNITS
From 13th March 2011, USCG will include in it’s examinations on foreign vessels, checks for the proper implementation of the US VGP requirements. The Coast Guard will not check vessel compliance with the State and Indian Country lands specific requirements contained in Section 6 of the VGP.
The applicable VGP requirements and the required procedures that have to be implemented onboard with the aim of ensuring compliance are set out in the ship-specific Compliance Program Manual which must be available onboard.
New SOLAS regulation III/1.5, which is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2013, requires that for all ships, on-load release mechanisms* not complying with paragraphs 4.4.7.6.4 to 4.4.7.6.6 of the LSA Code, as amended by resolution MSC.320(89) (hereinafter called "the LSA Code"), be replaced or modified not later than the next scheduled dry-docking after 1 July 2014, but not later than 1 July 2019.
General information for existing ships, i.e. constructed before 2010-01-01.
The Gard P&I Club issues news alert regarding Mediterranean countries agree on voluntary interim ballast water management regulations as follows:
It has come to our attention that the Port Health Authorities - ANVISA, at the ports of Rio de Janeiro and São Francisco do Sul, have become rigorous in the inspections of vessels calling at these ports. They are now asking for certificates of compliance with what is foreseen in the articles 61 and 80 of the Resolution 72, of 29.12.2009. These resolutions translated read as follows:
Club correspondents Representacoes Proinde (Rio) Ltda. Rio de Janeiro, have advised that fines are being imposed in certain ports in Rio de Janeiro State if vessels are unable to produce evidence that insect and rodent infestation have been subject to control procedures within the previous six months.
As already advised in ClassNK Technical Information No.TEC-0771 issued on 13 May 2009, the limit value of the sulphur content of any fuel oil used onboard ships will be changed from 4.50% m/m to 3.50% m/m on 1 January 2012 in accordance with Regulation 14 of MARPOL ANNEX VI.
Information on Emission Control Areas (hereinafter referred to as ECA) specified in MARPOL ANNEX VI (hereinafter referred to as ANNEX VI) has already been provided in ClassNK Technical Information No.TEC-0654 issued on 13 April 2006, No.TEC-0771 issued on 13 May 2009 and No.TEC-0832 issued on 11 November 2010.
The West of England P&I Club issues New Guidelines for the Carriage of Bulk Blends of Petroleum Oil and Bio-Fuels as follows:
Air Conditioning System
These guidelines are intended as advice on the preparation of damage control plans for passenger and cargo
Paris MoU deficiency code list
Generators, Fixed carbon dioxide, Wiring Material and methods, General watertight intergrity, Oil water separator, Watertight doors, Lifeboat launcing readiness, Structure defects, Firemain, Lighting fixtures.
The IMO's Maritime Safety Committee, at its eighty-eighth session (MSC 88), (24/11 -3/12 2010), approved amendments to SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 23 which, inter alia, includes amendments to the Required Boarding Arrangements for Pilots (Resolution MSC.308(88)).
IMO’ Maritime Safety Committee at its 89th session agreed 20 May 2011 upon several items concerning lifeboat release and retrieval systems.
This notification is to advise that the BMA has issued the following Bulletins, which are available for downloading from our website (