The Panamanian Government has notified of embarkation arrangement for remotely located survival craft for that flagged ships by Merchant Marine Circular No.166 as follows.

The area where the remotely located survival craft, required by regulation 31.1.4 of SOLAS III, are stowed should be provided with embarkation ladder or other means of embarkation enabling descent to the water in a controlled manner in accordance with 11.7 of SOLAS III according to the interpretation circulated in IMO circular MSC.1/Circ. 1243.
Regarding this, a knotted rope is not acceptable as "other means of embarkation".


Above requirements should be applied to all cargo ships regardless of date of construction.
And the compliance with this regulation is confirmed at the next annual survey after 1 October 2008 in respect of the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate.



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