The Marine Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government have issued a Merchant Shipping Information Note (MSIN) No.14/2014 "Clarification on the Applicability Issue relating to IMO Resolution MSC.338(91) regarding the Code on Noise Levels On Board Ships" specifying the treatment of "Measures shall be taken to reduce machinery noise in machinery space to acceptable levels as determined by the Administration" specified in the amendment of SOLAS Chapter II-1 Regulation 3-12.2, which has been adopted at MSC 91 on November 2012.

Details of MSIN No.14/2014 together with a copy of MSC.338(91) can be found on the website of Hong Kong Marine Department (http://www.mardep.gov.hk/en/msnote/msin.html).

1. Noise survey report
For ships of 1,600 gross tonnage and above, and delivered before 1 July 2018 and fall within the scope of:
(1) contracted for construction before 1 July 2014 and the keels of which are laid or which are at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 January 2009 but before 1 January 2015; or
(2) in the absence of a building contract, the keels of which are laid or which are at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 January 2009 but before 1 January 2015,

Then:
(i) Ships delivered on or after 1 July 2014, these ships to take measures to reduce machinery noise in machinery spaces to acceptable levels as specified in paragraph 4.2.1 of A.468(XII) and noise survey reports are to be made and should cover at least the requirements in paragraphs 2.8.3, 4.2.1, 4.3 and the model format in Appendix 1 of A.468(XII).
(ii) Ships delivered before 1 July 2014 and,
(a) if noise level measurement has been carried out at a sea trial and such, an appropriate noise survey report (e.g. noise measurement record in Sea Trial Results) is to be provided.
(b) if noise level measurement has not been carried out, then such measurement is to be conducted and noise survey report is to be provided.
The noise survey report should include the ship's major particulars and the measuring data covering machinery spaces (i.e. control rooms, workshops, turbocharger, top propulsion machinery, auxiliary diesel engines/turbogenerators, reduction gear and non-specified workspaces).

(To be continued)