A summary of the decisions and discussions taken at the seventy-sixth session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 77) held 28 May 2003 to 6 June 2003 is given hereunder for your information.

1. Adoption of Mandatory Instruments

The following amendments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention, resolution A. 744(18) and Annex B to the 1988 Load Lines Protocol were adopted at this session.
(1) SOLAS Chapter V (reference is made to the Attachment 1)
The following amendments to SOLAS Chapter V will enter into force on 1 July 2006.
(I) The definition of "length of ship" (Reg.V/2, 22)
The definition of "length of ship" was newly introduced into regulation V/2 as length overall "LOA" instead of the previously used length "Lf" as defined in Load Line Convention. In this connection, regulation V/22 was amended to apply to ships of not less than 55 m in length overall.
(ii) Daily reporting (Reg.V/28)
Each ship of 500 gross tonnage and above, engaged on international voyages exceeding 48 hours, will be required to submit a daily report to its company and to retain all daily reports for the duration of the voyage.
(2) Resolution A. 744(18) (reference is made to the Attachment 2)
"Sampling method of thickness measurements for longitudinal strength evaluation and repair method" was newly established as an amendment to resolution A. 744(18). For oil tankers of 130 m in length and upwards, exceeding 10 years of age, which are required the evaluation of ship's longitudinal strength at SC renewal survey, thickness measurements on longitudinal structural members and repairs should be carried out in accordance with these methods. The amendments to resolution A. 744(18) will enter into force on 1 January 2005.
(3) 1988 Load Lines Protocol (reference is made to the Attachment 3)
An amendment to the International Load Line Convention applies to the ships newly constructed on or after 1 January 2005. It is noted the increasing design load of hatch cover with a view to improving hatch cover strength, the reviewing bow height formula and the establishing new requirements for reserve buoyancy of forward parts under the regulations 16 and 39 respectively.
The amendment to the International Load Line Convention will enter into force on 1 January 2005.
(To be continued)
2. Mandatory Instruments to be adopted by MSC78 (in May 2004)

(1) Carriage requirement of immersion suits
The draft amendment to SOLAS regulation III/32.3 concerning carriage requirements for immersion suits developed at DE46 was approved at this session. Cargo ships regardless of construction date will be required to provide with immersion suits for every person onboard. However, for ships other than bulk carriers, those immersion suits need not required if the ship constantly engaged on voyages in warm climates where, in the opinion of the Administration, immersion suits are unnecessary. This draft amendment will be adopted at MSC78.

3. Bulk Carrier Safety

(1) Performance Standards for Water Level Detectors on Bulk Carriers (reference is made to the Attachment 4)
The draft performance standards for water level detectors on bulk carriers prepared by DE46 was adopted with a modification to newly require the function of automatic cancellation of the override condition and reactivation of the alarm.
(2) Review of the definition of "bulk carriers", the requirements of "double side skin" and "alternate hold loading ban" were considered and agreed in principle at this session.