At the 107th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC107), the Amendment to SOLAS II-1 regarding requirements of Lifting appliances and Anchor handling winches were adopted and Regulation 3-13 was newly established. Additionally, "Guidelines for Anchor handling winches" (MSC.1/Circ.1662) and "Guidelines for Lifting appliances" (MSC.1/Circ.1663) was approved. These new guidelines are referenced in SOLAS II-1/3-13.
The Technical Information introduces the new requirements for Lifting appliances.

1. Application*
The following apply to ships of 500 gross tonnage and above engaged in international voyages.
* Application for ships (including Japanese flag ships) which do not fall under the above will be informed by ClassNK web site, if it is available.

2. Definition of Lifting appliances (SOLAS II-1/2.30)
Lifting appliances are any load-handling ship's equipment such as the below.
(1) used for cargo loading, transfer, or discharge
(2) used for raising and lowering hold hatch covers or moveable bulkheads
(3) used as engine-room cranes
(4) used as stores cranes
(5) used as hose handling cranes
(6) used for launch and recovery of tender boats and similar applications
(7) used as personnel handling cranes.

Notwithstanding the above, the requirement does not apply to the following equipment (SOLAS II-1/3-13.1.2).
(1) lifting appliances on ships certified as MODUs
(2) lifting appliances used on offshore construction ships, such as pipe/cable laying/repair or offshore installation vessels, including ships for decommissioning work, which comply with standards acceptable to the Administration
(3) integrated mechanical equipment for opening and closing hold hatch covers
(4) life-saving launching appliances complying with the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code.

(To be continued)