The Cyprus Government has notified of embarkation arrangement for remotely located survival craft for that flagged ships as follows.

The area where the remotely located survival craft, required by regulation 31.1.4 of SOLAS Chapter III, is stowed should be provided with an embarkation ladder or other means of embarkation enabling descent to the water in a controlled manner in accordance with regulation 11.7/Chapter III of SOLAS 74 according to the interpretation contained in IMO circular MSC.1/Circ. 1243.

In this regard, please be advised that the interpretation for this requirement is as follows:

1. An embarkation ladder: means an embarkation ladder complying with Section 6.1.6 of the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code.

2. Other means of embarkation: alternatively, the use of either a Jacob's ladder or an aluminium ladder complying with Section 6.1.6 of the LSA Code, is accepted, while the use of knotted rope is not accepted.

The above requirements should be applied to all ships flying the Cyprus Flag, regardless of date of construction and compliance with these requirements must be verified at the first safety equipment survey after 31 July 2009 in respect of 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