st

MSC – 91 Session (26 to 30 November 2012)

International Regulation News Update

http://www.eagle.org/eagleExternalPortalWEB / Resources / Regulatory Information

Maritime Safety Committee’s

91st Session
26 to 30 November 2012

+
Regulatory Development Ship Application

ADOPTED SOLAS REVISIONS (page 1 & 2)

New Code on Noise Level Limits New Ships
Fire-fighting Arrangements All Ships
LSA Amendments All Ships
Free-Fall Life Boat Testing All Ships

MISCELLANEOUS (page 2)
Stability Assessments New ships

APPROVED SOLAS REVISIONS (page 2)

Entry Into Enclosed Spaces All Ships
Muster Drills Passenger Ships

( + “ships” are all self propelled vessels)

 MSC – 91st Session (26 to 30 November 2012)

IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) met at the However, the Administration may deem that
Organization's London Headquarters for its 91st session compliance with a particular provision is
from 26 to 30 November 2012. A significant number of unreasonable or impractical.
SOLAS revisions which impact new and existing ships New ships are those.
were adopted.
• with a building contract placed on or after 1
July 2014;
ADOPTED SOLAS REVISIONS
• or in the absence of a building contract, the
New Code on Noise Level Limits keel of which is laid or which is at a similar
A new Code specifying maximum levels of noise stage of construction on or after 1 January
was adopted by the Committee via resolution 2015; or
MSC.337(91). The limits prevent the occurrence • regardless of the building contract date or
of potentially hazardous noise levels for spaces keel laying date, the delivery is on or after 1
to which seafarers normally have access. July 2018.
Compliance with the Code requires Certain types of ships are exempted:
measurement of noise levels in work, navigation, dynamically supported craft, high-speed craft,
accommodation and service spaces under fishing vessels, pipe-laying barges, crane
simulated port conditions and at normal service barges, MODUs, pleasure yachts, ships of war
speed (no less than 80% of the maximum and troopships, non-self propelled, pile driving
continuous rating) with not more than a wind vessels, and dredgers.
force 4 and 1m wave height. Deviation from
this normal service condition may be permitted Fire-fighting Arrangements
for ships with special propulsion and power Means of communication
configurations, such as diesel-electric systems.
At least two (2) two-way portable radiotelephones
Where thrusters are fitted, noise levels are to be
are to be provided for each fire party designated
measured at 40% thruster power and the ship's
onboard ships constructed on or after 1 July
speed associated with thruster operation.
2014. Ships constructed before 1 July 2014 are
The Code specifies a minimum weighted sound to comply no later than the first annual survey
reduction index for sound insulation properties after 1 July 2018. These provisions apply to
required for bulkheads and decks within the portable radios used on tankers and those
accommodations. Additionally, limits for noise intended to be used in hazardous areas of all
levels (dB(A)) are specified for various spaces as ships which are to be of an explosion-proof or
per Table 1. intrinsically-safe type.

Breathing apparatus
Self-contained compressed air-operated
breathing apparatus of fire-fighter's outfits
provided onboard all ships shall, no later than 1
July 2019, have a capacity of at least 1,200
liters, or be capable of functioning for at least 30
minutes.
These amendments do not phase-out existing
pump and hose breathing systems which were
permitted on ships constructed before 1 January
2002. Each compressed air breathing apparatus
is to be fitted with an audible alarm and a visual
or other device which will alert the user before
the volume of the air in the cylinder has been
Table 1 – Noise Level Limits (dB(A)) reduced to no less than 200 liters. All air
Newly adopted SOLAS regulation II-1/13-2, as cylinders for breathing apparatus are to be
contained in resolution MSC.338(91), will apply interchangeable.
the Code to new ships ≥ 1600 gt.

ABS REGULATORY AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL REGULATION NEWS UPDATE, MARCH 2013 (VOL 22, NO.2) page 1 of 2
For further information, contact ABS Regulatory Affairs at tel 212-292-8806 | email: [email protected]
 MSC – 91st Session (26 to 30 November 2012)

contain each type of consumables and stores.

FSS Code Revisions Ballast water tanks are to be assumed empty
Revisions to the requirements in the Fire Fighting with no free surface correction.
Systems (FFS) Code were adopted as contained
Additionally, two alternative methods for
in resolution MSC.339(91).
determining free surface corrections (an actual
The revisions address fixed fire fighting systems correction using the free surface moments
of gas, deck-foam, water-spray and water-mist according to the assumed tank fillings for each
type and apply to ships constructed on or after 1 damage case and a virtual correction with an
July 2014, and incorporate requirements assumed tank loading specified) are now
previously in SOLAS for vehicle spaces and ro- provided. Onboard stability software does not
ro spaces, which are either capable or not need to show compliance with the residual
capable of being sealed from a location outside stability criteria specified in regulation 27(13).
of the cargo spaces.
On ships constructed on or after 1 July 2014, ADOPTED SOLAS REVISIONS
starting requirements for the emergency source
of power for fire detection and alarm systems Several revisions of SOLAS were approved during the
were revised to allow use of accumulator 91st Session and are scheduled to be adopted at MSC
batteries. Further, the Code now specifies that 92 in June 2013. If adopted, the amendments would
compressed air, electricity, or other sources of enter into force on 1 January 2015.
stored energy, including hydraulic power or
starting cartridges, may be used as a means of Entry Into Enclosed Spaces
starting the emergency fire pump where manual The Committee approved draft amendments to
starting is impracticable. SOLAS Chapter III, the 1994 and 2000 HSC
Codes, the DSC Code and the MODU Codes
LSA Code Amendments related to rescue and entry into enclosed spaces
All ships are to be provided with plans and where there may be an oxygen-deficient,
procedures for recovery of persons from the oxygen-enriched, flammable and/or toxic
water. The plans and procedures (which do not atmosphere. Crew members with assigned
need to be approved by the Administration) are responsibility for rescue or enclosed space entry
to identify the equipment intended to be used for must participate in drills at least once every two
recovery purposes and measures to be taken to months.
minimize the risk to shipboard personnel Such drills include a check of personal protective
involved in recovery operations. equipment, communication and rescue
Ships constructed on or after 1 July 2014 are to equipment with their associated procedures.
comply at delivery. Ships constructed before 1 Guidance for planning, assessing the risk and
July 2014 shall comply by the first intermediate conducting these drills is provided in resolution
or first renewal survey of the ship to be carried A.1050(27). Specific guidelines for entering
out after 1 July 2014, whichever comes first. tanks using nitrogen as an inerting medium are
Ro-ro passenger ships which are fitted with an contained in MSC.1/Circ.1401.
approved marine evacuation system are not
required to comply with this regulation. Muster Drills
Guidelines for the development of plans and On passenger ships engaged on a voyage where
procedures for recovery of persons from the passengers are scheduled to be on board for
water were also approved. more than 24 hours, newly-embarked passengers
are to be mustered prior to or immediately upon
MISCELLANEOUS departure.
Stability Assessments Currently, SOLAS allows such musters to take
place within 24 hours after embarkation. During
The conditions for carrying out stability that muster, a safety briefing in languages
assessments under the Load Line Convention understood by the passengers is to take place,
were revised by resolution MSC.345(91). using the ship's public address system.
The initial condition of loading prior to flooding Information cards or video displays may be used
due to the specified damage is revised from 50% to supplement the briefing, but cannot be used as
of each individual tank and space to 50% of the a complete replacement.
ship's total capacity of tanks and spaces fitted to
ABS REGULATORY AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL REGULATION NEWS UPDATE, MARCH 2013 (VOL 22, NO.2) page 2 of 2
For further information, contact ABS Regulatory Affairs at tel 212-292-8806 | email: [email protected]