IMO's Maritime Safety Committee - May 2004 - 78th session. IMO agreed that implementation of maritime security measures should be given "urgent priority". Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) - 78th session: 12-21 May 2004 Human element The Committee re-convened the Joint MSC/MEPC Working Group on the Human Element, which began work on the development of a human element strategic plan for the Organization with a view to addressing the human element in maritime safety, environmental protection and security. The group developed a working document including a preliminary list of possible items to be included in the action plan, which would serve as a basis for developing the strategic plan. The Committee invited Member Governments to submit comments on the proposed plan to the next sessions of the MSC/MEPC. Goal-based new ship construction standards The MSC examined in detail the concept that IMO should develop "goal-based" standards for ships' construction and equipment and agreed that a Working Group should meet at the next session, in December (MSC 79). The Working Group should bear in mind environmental, human element and security issues, the MSC agreed. The premise behind the development of goal-based standards is that IMO should play a larger role in determining the fundamental standards to which new ships are built. Permanent means of access - SOLAS amendments T Persons rescued at sea - amendments to SOLAS and SAR adopted The MSC (expanded to include all SOLAS Contracting Governments and SAR Parties) adopted amendments to the SOLAS and SAR Conventions concerning the treatment of persons rescued at sea, and/or asylum seekers, refugees and stowaways. The amendments were developed in response to resolution A.920 on Review of safety measures and procedures for the treatment of persons rescued at sea, adopted by IMO's 22nd Assembly following a number of incidents that highlighted concerns surrounding the treatment of persons rescued at sea. The prime concern with respect to such incidents was that, unless the matter was considered in all its aspects and appropriate action was taken, there might be a negative impact on the integrity of the global search and rescue system which IMO has put in place. The amendments include: * SOLAS - chapter V (Safety of Navigation) - to add a definition of search and rescue services; to set an obligation to provide assistance, regardless of nationality or status of persons in distress, and mandate co-ordination and co-operation between States to assist the ship's master in delivering persons rescued at sea to a place of safety; and to add a new regulation on master's discretion. The SOLAS amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 July 2006, * SAR - Annex to the Convention - addition of a new paragraph in chapter 2 (Organization and co-ordination) relating to definition of persons in distress, new paragraphs in chapter 3 (Co-operation between States) relating to assistance to the master in delivering persons rescued at sea to a place of safety and a new paragraph in chapter 4 (Operating procedures) relating to rescue co-ordination centres initiating the process of identifying the most appropriate places for disembarking persons found in distress at sea. The SAR amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2006. The MSC also adopted related Guidelines on the treatment of persons rescued at sea. The aim is to provide guidance with regard to humanitarian obligations and obligations under the relevant international law. Global SAR plan - international SAR Fund agreed The MSC agreed to establish an international Search and Rescue (SAR) Fund as soon as possible to support the establishment and continued maintenance of regional Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (MRCCs) and Maritime Rescue Sub-Centres (MRSCs) along the African coastlines. The MSC also approved the establishment and composition of the Global SAR Development Advisory Group. The Global SAR Development Advisory Group will consist of: - the Chairman of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)/IMO Joint Working Group; - a representative from the International Lifeboat Federation (ILF) Secretariat; - a representative from the IMO Secretariat; and - a representative from the ICAO Secretariat, and would provide advice to ICAO, IMO and ILF with respect to the co ordination of the SAR development activities. The MSC adopted amendments to SOLAS chapter III Regulation 32 - Personal life-saving appliances to make changes to the number of immersion suits to be carried on all cargo ships. The amendments introduce carriage requirements for one immersion suit per person on board all cargo ships, including bulk carriers. At present, the regulation requires carriage of at least three immersion suits for each lifeboat on a cargo ship, as well as thermal protective aids for persons not provided with immersion suits. With the adoption of the proposed amendments, which are expected to enter into force on 1 July 2006, immersion suits will become, as lifejackets, a personal life-saving appliance for each person on board thus offering better thermal protection and improved chance of survival and rescue. The MSC adopted amendments to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. The amendments update several sections of the Code relating to the carriage of dangerous goods and also include a new chapter 1.4 on Security Provisions intended to address the security of dangerous goods being transported by sea. The amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2006, but may be applied on a voluntary basis from 1 January 2005. Simplified Voyage Data Recorders - SOLAS amendments approved The MSC agreed with the recommendation of the Sub-committee on Safety of Navigation (NAV) that retrofitting existing cargo ships with Voyage Data Recorders (VDR) was feasible and desirable and that a simplified VDR (S-VDR) should be specified for existing cargo ships. The MSC therefore approved - with a view to adoption at MSC 79 - draft amendments to regulation 20 of SOLAS chapter V (Safety of Navigation) on a phased-in carriage requirement for a shipborne S-VDR. The draft regulation requires a VDR, which may be a S-VDR, to be fitted to cargo ships above 3,000 gross tonnage. The proposed draft regulation would phase in the requirement for cargo ships over 20,000 gross tonnage first, by 2007, to be followed by cargo ships above 3,000 gross tonnage, by 2008. Under SOLAS regulation V/20, passenger ships and ships other than passenger ships of 3000 gross tonnage and upwards constructed on or after 1 July 2002 must carry voyage data recorders (VDRs) to assist in accident investigations. At the time of the adoption of the regulation in 2000 (it entered into force in July 2002), the MSC agreed that a feasibility study on the mandatory carriage of VDRs on existing cargo ships should be carried out The MSC also adopted resolution MSC.163(78)on Performance Standards for shipborne simplified voyage data recorders (S-VDRs). Unique company number scheme The MSC adopted a scheme to implement the IMO Unique Company and Registered Owners Identification Number Scheme. The aim is to facilitate the enhancement of maritime safety, security and pollution prevention and the prevention of maritime fraud by assigning a permanent identification number to companies and registered organizations which will be inserted on ships' certificates. The MSC also approved a circular letter to Governments and non-governmental organizations on Implementation of the IMO Unique Company and Registered Owners Identification Number Scheme. Piracy and armed robbery against ships The MSC reviewed the reports on incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships submitted to IMO and welcomed developments in the implementation of the co-ordinated plan of action to tackle piracy and armed robbery against ships through regional agreements. The number of acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships, which were reported to the Organization to have occurred or to have been attempted in 2003, was 456, an increase of 69 (18%) over the figure for 2002. The areas most affected in 2003 (i.e. five incidents reported or more) were the Far East, in particular the South China Sea and the Malacca Strait, South America and the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, West Africa, and East Africa. The number of acts reported to have occurred or to have been attempted increased from 140 to 152 in the South China Sea; from 66 to 96 in the Indian Ocean; from 67 to 72 in South America and the Caribbean; from 47 to 67 in West Africa; and from 34 to 38 in the Malacca Strait, over the 2002 figures. However, the numbers decreased from 3 to 1 in the Mediterranean Sea and from 24 to 22 in East Africa, compared with the 2002 figures. During 2003, 13 crew members were reportedly killed, including two passengers and six military personnel, 45 persons were wounded and 54 crew went missing. Amongst those still missing to date and unaccounted for are 11 crew members including three crew members thrown overboard. Eleven ships were hijacked and 11 went missing, whilst one ship was set ablaze and one ship was run aground. Adoption of ships' routeing measures The MSC adopted the following ships' routeing and other measures, which will take effect on 1 December 2004 at 0000 hours UTC, except for the amendment to the TSS "In the Singapore Strait", which will take effect from 1 January 2005 at 0000 hours UTC: * New traffic separation schemes (TSSs) "Off Ra's al Kuh"; "Approaches to the Port of Ra's al Khafji"; and "In the Adriatic Sea". * Amendments to existing TSSs Amendment to the existing traffic separation scheme "Between Korsoer and Sprogoe" Amendment to the separation zone of the TSS in the Singapore Straits, by which a space for an anchorage area would be released, to take effect on 1 January 2005 at 0000 hours UTC. * Routeing measures other than TSSs Mandatory area to be avoided off the north east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. Amendment of the existing charting measure in the Great North East Channel of the Torres Strait, off the north east coast of Australia to a two-way route. Establishment of an Area to be Avoided (ATBA) in the Paracas National Reserve. * Mandatory Ship Reporting Systems Amendments to the existing mandatory Ship Reporting System "in the Torres Strait and Inner Route of the Great Barrier Reef", off the North East coast of Australia (REEFREP). Amendments to the existing mandatory ship reporting system "Off Cape Finisterre". Archipelagic sea lanes - amendments to Ships' Routeing The Committee adopted amendments to the General Provisions on Ships' Routeing (resolution A.527(14), as amended), concerning the adoption, designation and substitution of archipelagic sea lanes (paragraph 3.13 of Section H (IMO publication "Ships' Routeing)). Resolutions adopted by MSC 78 Resolution MSC.151(78) - Adoption of amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended Resolution MSC.152(78) - Adoption of amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended Resolution MSC.153(78) - Adoption of amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended Resolution MSC.154(78) - Adoption of amendments to the Protocol of 1988 relating to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 Resolution MSC.155(78) - Adoption of amendments to the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979, as amended Resolution MSC.156(78) - Adoption of amendments to the Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code Resolution MSC.157(78) - Adoption of amendments to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) code Resolution MSC.158(78) - Adoption of amendments to the technical provisions for means of access for inspections Resolution MSC.159(78) - Interim guidance on control and compliance measures to enhance maritime security Resolution MSC.160(78) - Adoption of the IMO unique company and registered owners identification number scheme Resolution MSC.161(78) - Amendments to the existing mandatory ship reporting system "In the Torres strait and inner route of the Great Barrier Reef" Resolution MSC.162(78) - Amendments to the existing mandatory ship reporting system "Off Cape Finisterre" Resolution MSC.163(78) - Performance standards for shipborne simplified voyage data recorders (S-VDR) Resolution MSC.164(78) - Revised performance standards for radar reflectors Resolution MSC.165(78) - Adoption of amendments to the General Provisions on Ship's Routeing (resolution A.572(14), as amended) Resolution MSC.166(78) - Application of performance standards for marine transmitting heading devices (THDS) to marine transmitting magnetic heading devices (TMHDS) Resolution MSC.167(78) - Guidelines on the treatment of persons rescued at sea List of circulars approved by MSC 78 MSC Circulars MSC/Circ.1107 Application of SOLAS regulation II-1/3-6 on Access to and within spaces in, and forward of, the cargo area of oil tankers and bulk carriers and application of the Technical provisions for means of access for inspections MSC/Circ.1108 Guidelines for assessing the longitudinal strength of bulk carriers during loading, unloading and ballast water exchange MSC/Circ.1109 False security alerts and distress/security double alerts MSC/Circ.1110 Matters related to SOLAS regulations XI-2/6 and XI-2/7 MSC/Circ.1111 Guidance relating to the implementation of SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code MSC/Circ.1112 Shore leave and access to ships under the ISPS Code MSC/Circ.1113 Guidance to port State control officers on the non-security related elements of the 2002 SOLAS amendments MSC/Circ.1114 Guidelines for periodic testing of immersion suit and anti-exposure suit seams and closures MSC/Circ.1115 Prevention of accidents in high free-fall launching of lifeboats MSC/Circ.1116 Unified interpretations of the IBC and IGC Codes MSC/Circ.1117 Guidance for checking the structure of bulk carriers MSC/Circ.1118 Implementation of SOLAS regulation V/9 - Hydrographic services MSC/Circ.1119 Ship/terminal interface improvement for bulk carriers MSC/Circ.1120 Unified interpretations of the revised SOLAS chapter II-2 MSC/Circ.1121 Parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended, confirmed by the Maritime Safety Committee to have communicated information which demonstrates that full and complete effect is given to the relevant provisions of the Convention MSC/Circ.1122 Adoption of the revised NAVTEX Manual MSC/Circ.1123 Guidelines on annual testing of L-band satellite EPIRBs MSC/Circ.1124 Amendments to the IAMSAR Manual *** Other circulars COLREG.2/Circ.54 New and amended traffic separation schemes and associated routeing measures SN/Circ.234 Routeing measures other than traffic separation scheme SN/Circ.235 Mandatory ship reporting systems SN/Circ.236 Guidance on the application of AIS binary messages SN/Circ.237 Amendments to the General Provisions on Ships' Routeing LL.3/Circ.155 Unified interpretations of the 1966 LL Convention STCW.7/Circ.14 Guidance for masters on keeping a safe anchor watch STCW.7/Circ.15 Data to be included in documentary evidence of training leading to the award of a certificate of competency COMSAR/Circ.34 Clarification on the use of NAVTEX B3 B4 characters = 00 and NAVTEX service areas COMSAR/Circ.35 Recommendations on MF/HF DSC test calls to coast stations *** Circular letter approved Circular letter No.2554 Implementation of the IMO unique company and registered owner identification number scheme __________ Background IMO is the United Nations agency concerned with safety and security of shipping and protection of the marine environment and is concerned with ensuring ships comply with international standards, including financial security. The Maritime Safety Committee is the highest technical body of the Organization. Delegates from all 163 member States may attend. The main function of the MSC is to consider any matter within the scope of the Organization that directly affects maritime safety and security. It has the mandate to adopt amendments to conventions, such as the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS), Collision Regulations, Load Lines, etc. It is assisted in its work by nine sub-committees which are also open to all Member States. They deal with the following subjects: Bulk Liquids and Gases; Carriage of Dangerous Goods; Solid Cargoes and Containers; Fire Protection; Radiocommunications and Search and Rescue; Safety of Navigation; Ship Design and Equipment; Stability and Load Lines and Fishing Vessel Safety; Standards of Training and Watchkeeping and Flag State Implementation. The seventy-eighth session of the Maritime Safety Committee was held from 12 to 21 May 2004 under the chairmanship of Mr. Tom Allan (United Kingdom). Web site: www.imo.org For further information please contact: Lee Adamson, Senior External Relations Officer on 020 7587 3153 (media@imo.org) or Natasha Brown, External Relations Officer on 020 7587 3274 (media@imo.org ).