IFSMA Monthly Logs

During March 2007 IFSMA attended the 50th session of the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Equipment (DE), and the 34^th session of the Facilitation Committee (FAL).

The Secretary General attended the Nautical Institute’s Education and Training Committee which was held on 8^th March 2007.

At the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Equipment (DE), 50th session, 5-9 March 2007 the following key issues were discussed with particular interest to Ship masters.

Accommodation ladders and gangways - draft new SOLAS regulation agreed

A new draft SOLAS regulation on means of embarkation on and disembarkation from ships was agreed by the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Equipment (DE) when it met for its 50th session. The aim is to ensure that there is a safe means of access to and egress from ships and that such means are inspected and maintained adequately to avoid accidents.

The draft regulation will require ships built after its adoption and entry into force to be provided with means of embarkation on and disembarkation from ships, such as gangways and accommodation ladders. They should be constructed, installed, maintained and surveyed based on the future IMO Guidelines for construction, maintenance and inspection of accommodation ladders and gangways, a draft of which was also agreed by the Sub-Committee.

Emergency towing arrangements - draft amended SOLAS regulation agreed

The proposed amendments would change the title of the regulation to Emergency towing arrangements and procedures; retain the requirements for tankers, which require emergency towing arrangements to be fitted at both ends on board every tanker of not less than 20,000 tonnes deadweight; and include a new paragraph 2 on Emergency towing procedures on ships, to require all ships to be provided with an emergency towing procedure.

The emergency towing procedure would be carried aboard the ship for use in emergency situations and be based on existing arrangements and equipment available on board, and would include drawings of fore and aft decks showing possible emergency towing arrangements; an inventory of equipment on board that can be used for emergency towing; means and methods of communication; and sample procedures to facilitate the preparation for, and conduct of emergency towing operations.

The proposed new paragraph would apply to all passenger ships, new cargo ships and existing cargo ships under a phase-in schedule.

Measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats

The Sub Committee considered measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats and agreed that MSC.1/Circ.1206 Measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats should become mandatory, by 2010 at the latest. MSC.1/Circ.1206 incorporates 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.

Compatibility of life-saving appliances

The Sub Committee instructed the LSA Correspondence Group to prepare amendments to the LSA Code and the Revised recommendation on testing of life saving appliances, to take into account the increasing weight and size of seafarers globally; as well as to prepare guidance concerning the wearing of immersion suits in totally enclosed lifeboats.

It was acknowledged that larger size individuals could cause problems for the operation of life-saving appliances, in particular with regard to immersion suits. Also, the wearing of immersion suits in conjunction with lifejackets in enclosed lifeboats could cause problems due to overheating, hence the need for guidance/amendments.

Symbols related to life-saving appliances and arrangements

Work on the revision of resolution A.760(18), on Symbols related to life-saving appliances and arrangements, commenced during the session. The revision is intended to take into account the new International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard on shipboard signs (24409), currently under development.

A draft MSC circular on Symbol of infant lifejacket was agreed, for submission to MSC 83 for approval.

Other issues

The Sub-Committee also began work on the review of MEPC.1/Circ.511 Revised guidelines for systems for handling oily wastes in machinery spaces of ships incorporating guidance notes for an integrated bilge water treatment system (IBTS), and relevant MARPOL requirements, concerning legislative and implementation aspects related to prevention of operational oil pollution from ships; and began development of the following:

·                guidelines for uniform operating limitations of high-speed craft;

·                guidelines for maintenance and repair of protective coatings;

·                requirements and standard for corrosion protection of means of access arrangements;

·                performance standards for recovery systems; and

·                guidelines for the approval of novel life-saving appliances.

The 34^th Session of the Facilitation Committee was held at the International Coffee Organisation from 26^th to the 30^th March 2007

Much of this session was spent on the review and implementation of the FAL Convention itself.  However the following points were raised that are of particular interest to Shipmasters.

Electronic means of clearance by ships

The Committee continued to review developments in other organizations in relation to electronic means for the clearance of ships and the correspondence group reported on the plans for revision of the IMO Compendium on Facilitation and Electronic Business and to submit it to FAL 34 for approval and to the World Customs Organization (WCO), United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN CEFACT) and other organizations for comments. The correspondence group has also continued to work on issues relating to electronic data interchange (EDI) messages for transmission of security-related information. The work continues on this item.

Stowaways

With regard to stowaways it was noted by the committee that there was still a lack of reports coming in but nevertheless the numbers had increased in 2006 to 657 reported stowaways. It was understood that there are practical problems with the disembarkation of stowaways from ships and the Committee discussed the formation of a stowaway focal point to assist in the successful resolution of stowaway cases when the parties involved could not reach agreement. It was agreed to look into this possibility.

Facilitation of shipments of Dangerous Goods

Much of the discussion on this subject related to radioactive material. A correspondence group was established to prepare a working process by which IMO, in co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), will monitor, facilitate and co-ordinate the resolution of difficulties identified in the carriage of IMDG Code Class 7 radioactive materials. The aim is to alleviate the reported difficulties encountered in the shipment of IMDG Code class 7 radioactive materials and, in particular, Cobalt-60, a non-fissile radioactive material (UN 2916), which has medical and public health uses including sterilization of medical supplies and food products.

The committee agreed that subject to trial, the proposed mechanism for resolving the difficulties in the carriage of IDMG Code Class 7 radioactive goods should be approved.

Rodger MacDonald
Secretary General