The Marshal Islands Government has notified of carriage of immersion suits for that flagged ships by Marine Notice No.2-011-5 Rev. 10/08 as follows. And, the following supersedes ClassNK Technical Information No.TEC-0673, Paragraph 4. "Marshal Islands flag" issued on 6 October 2006.

1. A normal work location is a location where a crew member regularly carries out normal work functions. Examples include but are not limited to: control rooms, machine shops, galleys, offices, and remote lookout positions. These locations would be considered remote if the individual could not reasonably retrieve their assigned immersion suit in the event of an emergency.
2. Vessels other than bulk carriers, as defined in SOLAS Chapter IX Reg.1, which are constantly engaged on voyages in warm climates, may be exempted from the requirement to carry immersion suits. The Administration considers voyages in warm climates to be those within the zone between 30 degree North and 30 degree South latitudes.
3. Immersion suits and thermal protective aids are to be assigned by the Master. It is recommended that they should be kept in staterooms along with life jackets.

Surveys for the confirmation of these revised requirements are not required because the compliance of the relevant requirements was already confirmed at the first safety equipment survey on or after 1 July 2006 in accordance with revised SOLAS Reg. III/32.3.1 by Res.MSC152(78).


For any questions about the above, please contact:

NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK)
Material and Equipment Department, Administration Center, Head Office
Address: 4-7 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8567, Japan
Tel.: +81-3-5226-2020
Fax: +81-3-5226-2057
E-mail: eqd@classnk.or.jp