Ref. T4/3.01 MSC/Circ.1139
15 December 2004
1 The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), at its seventy-ninth session (1to10December2004),recalledthat,atitsseventy-sixthsession,ithadadopted,byresolution MSC.134(76),amendmentstoSOLASregulationII-1/31,prescribingfunctionalrequirementsfor automated propulsion control systems. The amendments entered into force on 1 July 2004.
2 RegulationII-1/31,becauseofitslocationinSOLASchapter II-1,appliestoallshipsthe keelsofwhicharelaidafter1 July 1986. However,theCommitteeagreedthatitwasnotthe intentiontoapplythisregulationtoshipsalreadyinservice(constructedbefore1July2004). The Committee,therefore,clarifiedthatregulation31.2.10ofpart Cofchapter II-1ofSOLASshould only apply to ships constructed on or after 1 July 2004.
3 TheCommitteenotedthatdraftSOLASamendmentstothateffecthadbeencirculatedby circular letter No.2592 of 28 October 2004, following a request by the United Kingdom, for consideration with a view to adoption at MSC 80 in May 2005.
4 MemberGovernmentsareinvitedtobringtheaboveinformationtotheattentionofallparties concerned.