|
New SOLAS Chapter
V on navigation
SAR Cooperation
Plans
The
MSC clarified the application of SOLAS regulation V/15(c), which
requires on board Search and Rescue (SAR) cooperation plans with
SAR services for fixed trading routes. Contrary to the understanding
of the cruise line industry and some Administrations that SAR plans
were needed only for operation on short sea routes or with certain
limited itineraries, it was concluded that such plans are needed
for all passenger ships certified under SOLAS for the appropriate
SAR regions. This clarification will be incorporated in the revised
SOLAS Chapter V at MSC 73. 9.26
Entry
Into Force
The
MSC approved a complete revision of SOLAS, Chapter V, Safety of
Navigation. If adopted at MSC 73 in November 2000, it will enter
into force on 1 July 2002. The new Chapter mandates that on board
navigation systems and equipment installed on/after 1 July 2002,
shall comply with the performance standards contained in a number
of previously issued recommended guidelines. Also, three new approved
MSC Resolutions containing performance standards and technical specifications
for navigational equipment (night vision equipment, daylight signaling
lamps and speed and distance indicating devices) are referenced
by the new Chapter V. WP.6
Automatic
Identification Systems
Automatic
Identification Systems, AIS, providing to shore-side stations the
ship’s identity, type, position, course, speed and navigational
status of the ship’s command and engines, will be required
to be fitted on all new ships (constructed on/after 1 July 2002).
A 5-year phase-in period to 2 July 2007 is specified in Chapter
V according to descending categories of gross tonnage for all existing
ships, except for tankers and passenger ships as shown below.
| Gross
Tonnage |
Compliance
Date |
| gt >50000 |
1 July
2004 |
| 50000>
gt >10000 |
1 July
2005 |
| 10000>
gt >3000 |
1 July
2006 |
| 3000>
gt >300 |
1 July
2007 |
Tankers
(oil gas and chemical) must be fitted with such equipment by the
first safety equipment survey due after 1 July 2003 and passenger
ships must be fitted with such equipment not later than 1 July 2003. WP.6
Voyage
Data Recorders
Chapter
V provides the following implementation schedule for fitting new
and existing ships with voyage data recorders, VDR’s,
| Type |
Built |
Compliance |
| Passenger |
>
1 July 02 |
at delivery |
| RoRo-Pass |
< 1
July 02 |
1st
survey
after 1 July 02 |
|
Passenger
other than RoRo-Pass
|
<
1 July 02 |
on
or before
1 July 04 |
|
All
ships > 3000 gt
other than passenger
|
>
1 July 02 |
at
delivery |
Administrations
may exempt existing ships (except RoRo-passenger ships) from this
provision where it has been determined to be unreasonable or impracticable
to fit a VDR. The few Administrations which supported a proposal
to retrofit VDR’s to all existing cargo ships were invited
to submit papers to MSC 73, where this matter will be finalized.
Also, the legal rights to ownership of recorded data in the event
of an accident remains to be resolved.
An
annual performance test to verify the accuracy, duration and recoverability
of data recorded as per resolution A.861(20) shall be carried out. WP.6
|
