Ref. T4/3.01 MSC.1/Circ.1196
6 June 2006
1 TheMaritimeSafetyCommittee,atitsseventy-seventhsession(28Mayto6 June2003),in viewofanumberofaccidentsinvolvingaccommodationladdersresultinginlossoflifeandinjury, instructedtheSub-CommitteeonShipDesignandEquipment(DE)todevelopamendmentsto SOLASregulationsI/7andI/8torequireinspectionsofthemeansofcrewaccesstoandfromships, such as gangways and accommodation ladders as part of the survey of the ship's equipment.
2 TheDESub-Committee,atitsforty-eighthsession(21to25February2005),discussedthe developmentoftheabove-mentionedSOLASamendmentsandagreedthatthiswasnotmainlya designandspecificationissue,butverymuchrelatedtomaintenanceandthatanumberofnational andinternationalstandards,includinganISOstandard,addressingthematter,alreadyexisted. The Sub-Committeealsoagreedthatpilotladders1 shouldalsobeconsideredandinvitedthesubmission ofconcreteproposalsoninspectionandsurveyrequirementsforaccommodationandpilotladders.
3 TheSub-Committee,atitsforty-ninthsession(20to24February2006),followingdiscussion ofthematteronthebasisofproposalsforadraftnewSOLASregulationII-1/3-9andrelated guidelinesforinspectionandsurveyforaccommodationandpilotladders,decidedthatfurther considerationshouldbegiventotheissueatDE50. However,itwasagreedthat,inthemeantime, MemberGovernmentsshouldbemadeawareoftheexistingproblemsregardinginspectionand maintenance of accommodation and pilot ladders.
4 TheCommittee,atitseighty-firstsession(10to19May2006),recognizedthat,inthelightof thisdevelopment,sometimemaylapsebeforetheeventualregulatoryframeworkcouldbeadopted andenterinforce. Asaresult,inanefforttoreducethenumberofaccidentsinvolvingmeansof embarkation on and disembarkation from ships, and the resulting loss of life and injury, it recommendedthatAdministrationsshouldreviewandupdate,asnecessary,anyexistingnational requirementsrelatingtothematter,aswellastheassociatedsurveyandinspectionprovisions.
If suchnationalrequirementsdonotalreadyexist,Administrationsshouldconsiderestablishing,in theinterimandasappropriate,nationalrequirements,takingintoaccountothernationalpractices and related standards.2
5 Member Governments are invited to bring this circular to the attention of shipowners, shipbuilders, designers, port State control authorities and seafarers with a view to ensuring an improvement of the current situation, particularly in relation to inspection and maintenance procedures to secure the operational safety of this equipment.
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1 See alsoSOLASregulationV/23onPilottransferarrangements.
2 See ISO 799:2004 Ships and marine technology “ Pilot ladders; ISO 5488:1979 Ships and marine technology ”
Accommodationladders;ISO5489:1986Shipsandmarinetechnology“Embarkationladders;andISO7061:1993
Shipsandmarinetechnology”Aluminumshoregangwaysforseagoingvessels.