The Australian Government (AMSA) has noticed ClassNK of the special requirements for remotely located survival craft(III/31.1.4) which was adopted by MSC.1/Circ.1243 onboard the Australian registered ships (Marine Orders Part 25, Issue 7).
Following requirements are to be applied to all ships regardless of date of construction. And the compliance with these requirements to be verified at the first safety equipment survey after 10 February 2010 in respect of the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate.

1. If a liferaft is provided in accordance with Regulation 31.1.4 of Chapter III, the liferaft is regarded as a "remotely located survival craft" with regard to SOLAS regulation III/7.2.1.2.
2. The area where these remotely located survival craft is stowed should be provided with:
(1) a minimum number of 2 lifejackets and 2 immersion suits;
(2) adequate means of illumination complying with SOLAS regulation III/16.7, either fixed or portable, which should be capable of illuminating the liferaft stowage position as well as the area of water into which the liferaft should be launched. Portable lights, when used, should have brackets to permit their positioning on both sides of the ship; and
(3) an embarkation ladder or other means of embarkation enabling descent to the water in a controlled manner* in accordance with SOLAS regulation III/11.7.
*A knotted rope is not considered as "other means of embarkation". However, a Jacob's ladder is acceptable.


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