A summary of the decisions taken at the seventy-sixth session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 76) held 2 December 2002 to 13 December 2002, in parallel with a Diplomatic Conference on Maritime Security, is given hereunder for your information.

1. Adoption of mandatory instruments
The following amendments to the SOLAS convention were adopted. They will enter into force on 1 July 2004. (Attachment 1)

(1) Means of access for tankers and for bulk carriers (SOLAS regulation II-1/3-6)
Oil tankers of 500 GT and more, as well as bulk carriers of 20,000 GT and more, which are constructed on or after 1 January 2005, will be required to provide permanent means of access in cargo tanks, cargo holds or ballast tanks, in order that they may be properly inspected or maintained throughout the lifespan. Technical provisions for means of access for inspections were also agreed as attached. (Attachment 2)
(2) Machinery controls (SOLAS regulation II-1/31)
A requirement for the officer in charge of the navigation watch to intervene, against the automatic system, in cases of impending or imminent slowdown or shutdown of the propulsion system, has been introduced as a new regulation.
(3) Installation of a radar transponder on ro-ro passenger (SOLAS regulation III-26)
The requirement relating to the radar transponder & its installation details on liferafts for ro-ro passenger ships was amended.
(4) Water ingress alarms and pumping systems (SOLAS regulation XII-1/12, 13)
In order to enhance bulk carrier safety, the following equipment will be required to be installed.
(I) Water ingress alarms in each cargo hold
(ii) Water ingress alarms in any ballast tank forward of the collision bulkhead
(iii) Water ingress alarms in any dry or void space which extends forward of the fore most cargo hold
(iv) Pumping system in dry spaces which are located forward of the collision bulkhead
(To be continued)

These amendments to SOLAS regulations apply to bulk carrier regardless of their date of construction. And, in cases where a bulk carrier is constructed before 1 July 2004, above items (I) to (iii) should be complied with by the first annual survey, first intermediate survey or first renewal survey after 1 July 2004 and the above item (iv) should be complied with by the first intermediate survey or first renewal survey after 1 July 2004.
(5) Maritime Security (SOLAS Chapter V, XI, X1-1 & X1-2)
For the purpose of enhancing the security of ships and ports, SOLAS amendments and the International Ship and Port Facility security Code (ISPS Code) which regulates ships and ports in order to protect them from acts of terrorism, have been adopted. Vessels are required to comply with these requirements by 1 July 2004. Regarding this subject, the following amendments to the SOLAS convention were adopted.
(I) Change of timetable for the fitting of an AIS (Automatic Identification System)
(ii) An identification number to be permanently indicated on the hull
(iii) Continuous Synopsis Record to be kept on board
Regarding the detailed requirements, please refer to ClassNK Technical Information No.TEC-0497.

2. Mandatory instruments to be adopted by MSC77 (May/2003)
(1) Amendment to the International Load Line Convention
A draft amendment to the International Load Line Convention was approved. For example, the design load of hatch cover was increased and new requirements for reserve buoyancy of forward parts were established. This draft amendment will