The Bahamian Administration has issued the BMA Marine Notice 81 regarding emergency escape breathing device (EEBD), which supersedes their Information Bulletin No. 29 this time.
This ClassNK Technical Information also supersedes our previous Technical Information No. TEC-1052 dated 29 October 2015.

1. Marine Notice 81 applies to all Bahamian ships and offshore units to which SOLAS applies.

2. Offshore units certified under the 1979, 1989 or 2009 Code for the Construction and Equipment of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODU Code) shall be provided with EEBDs as if they were SOLAS certified.

3. SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 13.3.4 specifies the following minimum carriage requirement for EEBDs in accommodation spaces:
(1) Cargo ships: 2 EEBDs
(2) Passenger ships carrying not more than 36 passengers: 2 EEBDs in each main vertical zone
(3) Passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers: 4 EEBDs in each main vertical zone.

4. The number of EEBDs to be provided in the machinery spaces is available in IMO MSC/Circ.1081. The Bahamian Administration requires the company, which is responsible for the management of the ship in accordance with the ISM Code, to carry out a risk assessment to determine the location and number of EEBDs required in the machinery spaces. The risk assessment must consider the size and layout of the machinery spaces, number of persons normally present, the length of the escape routes and any other relevant factors. Documentation related to the risk assessment results/conclusions is to be maintained onboard.

As for the risk assessment on the location and number of EEBDs required in the machinery spaces, regardless of whether newbuilding or existing ships, please contact to ClassNK Material and Equipment Department if the location and number of EEBDs are to be changed due to the result of the assessment by the ship management company.

(To be continued)