The summary of the decision taken at seventy-fourth session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 74) held from 30 May to 8 June 2001 is given hereunder for your information.
1Adoption of mandatory instruments
The following amendments to conventions and mandatory instruments with references made to the convention have been adopted. They will come into force automatically by the tacit acceptance procedure.
(I)Amendments to chapter VII of the SOLAS Convention (Resolution MSC.117(74))
Regulation VII/14.2 which defines INF Cargo by making reference to the IMDG Code has been amended. Harmonization with the 30th Amendments to the IMDG Code which incorporates regulations regarding Type C transportation vehicle (container to be used for transportation by air) adopted by IAEA (1996) has been made. The amendments are scheduled to come into force on 1 January 2003.
(ii)Amendments to the INF Code (Resolution MSC.118 (74))
The same amendments as given above have been made. They will enter into force on 1 January 2003.
(iii)Amendments to the HSC Code (Resolution MSC. 119 (74))
Amendments to the 1994 HSC Code corresponding to the amendments made to SOLAS Chapter V adopted by MSC 73 regarding retroactive requirements for shipborne navigational equipment (VDR, ECDIS, AIS etc) have been adopted. They will enter into force on 1 January 2003.
2Draft amendments approved by the MSC
Final draft amendments approved at this session subject to the adoption at next session (MSC 75, scheduled in May 2002) with a view to entering into force in 2004 are summarised hereunder. Unlike the amendments "adopted" given above, "approved" texts are subject to further consideration at MSC 75 where texts will be finally adopted.
(Draft revised SOLAS Resolution II-1/12-2 (means of access))
The proposed amendments prepared by DE Sub-Committee, which were introduced in our Technical Information No. 398 were considered, and approved after some revision was made to the draft regulation. The draft regulation will be applied to oil tankers of 500 GT and more as well as bulk carriers of 20,000 GT and more. Each space, including ballast tanks, within the cargo area will be required to be provided with a permanent means of access (ladders & passage ways), however, in case such arrangements are impractical, portable means of access may be accepted. In addition, minimum size of hatchways will also be regulated for easy access within the cargo area. The draft regulation was agreed in general, however, there are still a number of problems to solve, such as technical details, safety issues, practical measures at the survey scene (whether "cherry pickers" (a vehicle with mobile stage) which are currently being used is accepted). Further discussion will take place at 45th Session of the DE Sub-Committee scheduled in March 2002 together with mandatory resolutions which will contain technical details.
In this connection, the problems of ships design which have already been approved were raised, and this issue will also be considered at the 45th session of the DE Sub-Committee. It is envisaged that "contract date" and "delivery date" may be incorporated in the criteria defining new ship in addition to "keel laid", in the same manner used in the MARPOL Convention. For your reference, draft SOLAS regulation is attached.
(Amendments to SOLAS Chapter IV and the 1988 SOLAS Protocol)
Full implementation of the GMDSS was achieved on 1 February 1999. Following this, regulat