Ref. T4/3.01 MSC/Circ.1127
15 December 2004
1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its seventy-eighth session (12 to 21 May 2004), noting the urgent need to give effect to measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats and, in particular,toreducepersonalinjuriesresultingfromsuchaccidents,adoptedanamendmentto SOLASregulationIII/19.3.3.3inrelationtotheoperatingcrewbeingaboardlifeboatsatthetime of launching during abandon ship drills. The amendment is not scheduled to enter into force until 1 July 2006.
2 Recognizingtheeffectofthisamendmentinimprovingtheoccupationalhealthandsafety of seafarers and, thus, the importance of avoiding delays in relation to this matter, the Committee, at its seventy-ninth session (1 to 10 December 2004), urged Contracting Governments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention to implement the amendment prior to its scheduled date of entry into force. The Committee further urged Contracting Governments to provide appropriate documentation for ships flying their flag to which such early implementation has been granted and port States to accept such early implementation.
3 The Committee also urged Contracting Governments, ship masters and shipowners to take care that ship's crew are not exposed to new or additional risks in accessing or exiting lifeboats once they are deployed/recovered unmanned, and that a safe means of access is provided.