A summary of the decisions and discussions taken at the seventy eighth session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 78) held from 12 to 21 May 2004 is given hereunder for your information.

1. Adoption of Mandatory Instruments
The following amendments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention, IMDG Code were adopted at this session.

(1) PMA (refer to Attachment 1)
The amendments to SOLAS regulation II-1/3-6 and the revised "Technical Provisions for Means of Access for Inspections" were adopted at this session. In December 2003, the Assembly at its 23rd session, instructed the DE Sub-Committee to consider concerns raised by Greece, that the current PMA regulations adopted at MSC76 are impractical and unsafe regarding the extent of permanent means of access required for cargo tanks and ballast tanks. The Sub-Committee (DE47) prepared draft amendments to the PMA regulations to address the Greek concerns, and MSC78 considered and adopted them. They are somewhat more relaxed than the ones adopted at MSC76.
Although the amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2006, MSC78 agreed that Contracting Governments to the Convention may apply the amended PMA regulations in advance from 1 January 2005, in lieu of the current PMA regulations adopted by MSC76.

(2) Immersion Suits (reference to the Attachment 2)
The amendment to SOLAS regulation III/32.3 concerning carriage requirements for immersion suits was adopted at this session, as scheduled for entry into force on 1 July 2006. Cargo ships regardless of construction date will be required to provide immersion suits for every person onboard. However, ships other than bulk carriers as defined in SOLAS chapter IX, may be exempted from providing those immersion suits if the ship is constantly engaged on voyages in warm climates where, in the opinion of the Administration, immersion suits are unnecessary. Existing ships constructed before 1 July 2006 are to carry immersion suits for every person onboard not later than the first SE Survey on or after 1 July 2006.

(To be continued)