At the IMO's DE (Design and Equipment) Sub-Committee held from 5 March to 9 March 2001, as one of the countermeasure to eliminate substandard ships in response to the ERIKA disaster, a draft amendment to SOLAS regulations was prepared.

The draft regulation was developed based upon the understandings that safe access arrangements are essential in order to ensure appropriate surveys. By this regulation, in addition to hatches required for the rescue of injured personnel, safe access facilities for inspections would be required on a mandatory basis, (the draft regulation is attached herewith for your information)

The date of the entry of the proposed amendment is considered to be harmonized with the date of the entry of the proposed amendments to the MARPOL regulation I/13G (acceleration of phasing out of single hull tankers). Thus, it is expected to be approved by MSC (Maritime Safety Committee) at its 74th session scheduled in May 2001 for adoption at MSC 75 scheduled in May 2002, in order to come into force on 1 January 2004.

With regard to the technical details of the requirements, they are expected to be further discussed at DE45 will be held in next March for adoption at MSC 75 in May 2002.

Though the above decision is made at the Sub-Committee level, it's superior body, I.e., the Committee, will further discuss the issue. In the course of the discussion at the Committee, there may be some further modification to the decision introduced above, however, it is our purpose to introduce the decision for your advance information.


Attachment: Draft SOLAS regulation II-1/12-2

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