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IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) adopted new regulations on Long-Range Identification and Tracking of ships (LRIT), when it met at the Organization's London Headquarters for its 81st session from 10 to 19 May 2006.
Other important issues on the MSC agenda included the adoption of other amendments to the SOLAS and STCW Conventions, the completion of a major work programme on passenger ship safety and further development of goal-based for new ship construction.
LRIT
The MSC adopted new regulations for the LRIT together with associated performance standards and functional requirements.
The new regulation on LRIT is included in SOLAS chapter V on Safety of Navigation, through which LRIT will be introduced as a mandatory requirement for the following ships on international voyages: passenger ships, including high-speed craft; cargo ships, including high-speed craft, of 300 gross tonnage and upwards; and mobile offshore drilling units.
The SOLAS regulation on LRIT establishes a multilateral agreement for sharing LRIT information for security and search and rescue purposes, amongst SOLAS Contracting Governments, in order to meet the maritime security needs and other concerns of such Governments. It maintains the right of flag States to protect information about the ships entitled to fly their flag, where appropriate, while allowing coastal States access to information about ships navigating off their coasts. The SOLAS regulation on LRIT does not create or affirm any new rights of States over ships beyond those existing in international law, particularly, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), nor does it alter or affect the rights, jurisdiction, duties and obligations of States in connection with UNCLOS.
The LRIT information ships will be required to transmit include the ship's identity, location and date and time of the position. There will be no interface between LRIT and AIS. One of the more important distinctions between LRIT and AIS, apart from the obvious one of range, is that, whereas AIS is a broadcast system, data derived through LRIT will be available only to the recipients who are entitled to receive such information and safeguards concerning the confidentiality of those data have been built into the regulatory provisions. SOLAS Contracting Governments will be entitled to receive information about ships navigating within a distance not exceeding 1000 nautical miles off their coast.
The regulation foresees a phased-in implementation schedule for ships constructed before its expected entry into force date of 1 January 2008 and an exemption for ships operating exclusively in sea area A1 from the requirement to transmit LRIT information, since such ships are already fitted with AIS. It also identifies which authorities may have access to LRIT information.
The MSC also adopted performance standards and functional requirements for LRIT and an MSC resolution on Arrangements for the timely establishment of the long range identification and tracking system.
Adoption of amendments
The MSC adopted a number of other amendments to SOLAS and mandatory codes and guidelines with an expected entry into force date of 1 July 2010.
Amendments to Guidelines for the authorization of organizations acting on behalf of the Administration (Resolution A.739(18))
The amendments to the guidelines, which are mandatory under SOLAS chapter XI-1, add a new paragraph 2-1 to require the use of only exclusive surveyors and auditors for surveys and certification, although radio surveys may be subcontracted to non-exclusive surveyors.
Amendments to the STCW Convention and STCW Code
The amendments add new minimum mandatory training and certification requirements for persons to be designated as ship security officers (SSOs). The amendments to the STCW Convention and to parts A and B of the STCW Code include Requirements for the issue of certificates of proficiency for Ship Security Officers; Specifications of minimum standards of proficiency for ship security officers; and Guidance regarding training for Ship Security Officers.
Further amendments to part A of the STCW Code add additional training requirements for the launching and recovery of fast rescue boats. The amendments have been prepared in response to reports of injuries to seafarers in numerous incidents involving the launching and recovery of fast rescue boats in adverse weather conditions.
The anticipated entry into force date for the STCW amendments is 1 January 2008.
Maritime security - containers
Following the adoption by the World Customs Organization (WCO) in June 2005 of the Framework of Standards to secure and facilitate global trade (the Framework of Standards), the MSC discussed the carriage of closed cargo transport units and of freight containers transported by ships and referred the matter to the Ship/Port Interface (SPI) Working Group, a working group of the Facilitation Committee which also reports to the MSC on relevant matters, for further consideration.
If appropriate, the SPI Working Group will develop draft amendments to the SOLAS Convention in order to enable port facilities and ships to accept closed cargo transport units and freight containers for carriage by ship, without the need for further security checks other than the maintenance of access controls, where the security of such consignments has been established through the application of security measures consistent with the Framework of Standards.
The SPI Working Group will also consider whether other IMO instruments and guidance should be amended to include provisions on supply chain security and facilitation.
Resolutions adopted by the MSC
| MSC.201(81) |
Adoption of amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended |
| MSC.202(81) |
Adoption of amendments to SOLAS Chapter V - LRIT |
| MSC.203(81) |
Adoption of amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended |
| MSC.204(81) |
Adoption of amendments to the Protocol of 1988 relating to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended |
| MSC.205(81) |
Adoption of amendments to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code |
| MSC.206(81) |
Adoption of amendments to the International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code) |
| MSC.207(81) |
Adoption of amendments to the International Life-Saving Appliances Code (LSA Code) |
| MSC.208(81) |
Adoption of amendments to the Guidelines for authorization of Organizations acting on behalf of the Administration (Resolution A.739(18) |
| MSC.209(81) |
Adoption of amendments to Part A of the Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Code (STCW Code) |
| MSC.210(81) |
Performance standards and functional requirements for the long-range identification and tracking of ships |
| MSC.211(81) |
Arrangements for the timely establishment of the long-range identification and tracking system |
| MSC.212(81) |
Adoption of amendments to the Bulk Chemical (BCH) Code |
| MSC.213(81) |
New mandatory ship reporting system |
| MSC.214(81) |
Amendments to the Revised performance standards for shipborne voyage data recorders (VDRs) (resolution A.861(20)) and simplified voyage data recorders (S-VDRs) (resolution MSC.163(78)) |
Circulars approved by MSC 81
MSC.1 circulars
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MSC.1/Circ.1181
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Amendments to the IAMSAR Manual
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MSC.1/Circ.1182
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Guide to recovery techniques
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MSC.1/Circ.1183
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Guidelines on the provision of external support as an aid to incident containment for SAR Authorities and others concerned
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MSC.1/Circ.1184
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Enhanced contingency planning guidance for passenger ships operating in areas remote from SAR facilities
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MSC.1/Circ.1185
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Guide for cold water survival
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MSC.1/Circ.1186
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Guidelines on training of SAR service personnel working in major incidents
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MSC.1/Circ.1187
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Operational recommendations for passenger ships with cabin balconies
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MSC.1/Circ.1188
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Guidelines on the training and certification of port facility security officers
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MSC.1/Circ.1189
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Interim scheme for the compliance of special purpose ships with the special measures to enhance maritime security
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MSC.1/Circ.1190
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Guidance on the provision of information for identifying ships when transmitting ship security alerts
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MSC.1/Circ.1191
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Reminder of the obligation to notify flag States when exercising control and compliance measures
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MSC.1/Circ.1192
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Guidance on voluntary self-assessment by SOLAS Contracting Governments and by port facilities
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MSC.1/Circ.1193
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Guidance on voluntary self-assessment by Administrations and for ship security
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MSC.1/Circ.1194
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Effective implementation of SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code
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MSC.1/Circ.1195
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Guidelines for the conduct of high-speed craft model tests
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MSC.1/Circ.1196
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Means of embarkation on and disembarkation from ships
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MSC.1/Circ.1197
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Amendments to unified interpretations to SOLAS chapters II-1 and XII approved by MSC.Circ.1176
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MSC.1/Circ.1198
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Application of SOLAS regulation XII/6.3 on corrosion prevention of double-side skin spaces and dedicated seawater ballast tanks of bulk carriers and application of the performance standard for protective coatings for dedicated seawater ballast tanks on all new ships and double-side skin spaces of bulk carriers
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MSC.1/Circ.1199
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Interim Guidance on compliance of ships carrying dry cargoes in bulk with requirements of SOLAS chapters II-1, III, IX, XI-1 and XII
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MSC.1/Circ.1060/Add.1
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Amendment to the Guidance note on the preparation of proposals on ships' routeing systems and ship reporting systems for submission to the Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation (MSC/Circ.1060)
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MSC.1/Circ.1200
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Interim Guidelines for alternative assessment of the weather criterion
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MSC.1/Circ.1201
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Contact information for the designated competent authority
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MSC.1/Circ.1202
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Inspection programmes for cargo transport units carrying dangerous goods
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MSC.1/Circ.1025/Add.1
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Amendments to the revised EmS Guide
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MSC.1/Circ.1203
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Unified interpretations to SOLAS chapter II-2 and the fire test procedures referred to in the FTP Code
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MSC.1/Circ.1204
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Early application of amendment to SOLAS regulation II-2/4.5.2.3
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MSC.1/Circ.1205
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Guidelines for developing operation and maintenance manuals for lifeboat systems
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MSC.1/Circ.1206
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Measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats
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MSC.1/Circ.1207
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Early implementation of draft SOLAS regulation III/19.3.3.4
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MSC.1/Circ.1208
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Promoting and verifying continued familiarization of GMDSS operators on board ships
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MSC.1/Circ.1209
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Information on simulators available for use in maritime training
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MSC.1/Circ.1164/Rev.1
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Promulgation of information related to reports of independent evaluation submitted by Parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, confirmed by the Maritime Safety Committee to have communicated information which demonstrates that Parties are giving full and complete effect to the relevant provisions of the Convention
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MSC.1/Circ.797/Rev.13
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Competent persons nominated by Governments
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MSC.1/Circ.1210
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COSPAS-SARSAT International 406 MHz Beacon Registration Database
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MSC.1/Circ.1211
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Unified interpretations to SOLAS regulation II-1/10 and regulation 12 of the revised SOLAS chapter II-1 regarding bow doors and the extension of the collision bulkhead
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Joint MSC - MEPC circulars
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MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.1
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Disposal of fumigants
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MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.2
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IMO requirements on carriage of publications on board ships
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MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.3
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Guidelines on the basic elements of a shipboard occupational health and safety programme
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MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.4
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Early application of the amendments to the fire protection requirements of the IBC Code
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MSC-MEPC.7/Circ.1
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Checklist for considering human element issues by IMO bodies
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MSC-MEPC.7/Circ.2
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Strengthening of human element input to the work of IMO
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MSC-MEPC.7/Circ.3
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Framework for consideration of ergonomics and work environment
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MSC-MEPC.7/Circ.4
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Organization's strategy to address the human element
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Other circulars
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STCW.6/Circ.9
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Amendments to part B of the STCW Code relating to the certificate of proficiency for ship security officer
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STCW.6/Circ.10
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Amendments to part B of the STCW Code relating to guidance on familiarization and training for seafarers serving on board ships fitted with free-fall lifeboats
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COLREG.2/Circ.57
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New and amended traffic separation schemes, and associated routeing measures
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SN.1/Circ.253
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Routeing measures other than traffic separation scheme
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SN.1/Circ.254
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New mandatory ship reporting system for the Canary Islands (as associated protective measures for the Canary Islands PSSA)
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