By
Rebecca Gibson |
Several International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) amendments became effective from 1 July 2014.
Amendments to SOLAS regulation III/17-1 require all ships to have plans and procedures to recover persons from the water. These plans should take into account the related Guidelines for the development of plans and procedures for recovery of persons from the water (MSC.1/Circ.1447).
Designed to enhance safety at sea, the updated regulation also provides support to search and rescue coordinators in all types of rescue operations. This is particularly relevant in situations where there is insufficient dedicated search and rescue capacity or access to helicopters and specialised rescue craft is limited.
Ships constructed before 1 July 2014 are required to comply with the requirement by the first periodical, or when a renewal safety equipment survey is carried out.
Various other SOLAS amendments entered force on 1 July, including SOLAS regulation II-1/3-12, which requires new ships to be designed to reduce onboard noise and to protect personnel from noise, in accordance with the revised Code on noise levels on board ships. The code sets out mandatory maximum noise level limits for machinery spaces, control rooms, workshops, accommodation and other spaces onboard ships.
New fire fighting rules outlined in SOLAS regulation II-2/10 require ships to carry a minimum of duplicate two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus for each fire party to ensure communication is maintained in the event of a fire. This apparatus must be constructed from explosion-proof material, or intrinsically safe. Ships constructed before 1 July 2014 must comply with the requirements no later than the first survey after 1 July 2018.
In addition, vessels must either have onboard charging facilities for onoard breathing apparatus cylinders used in drills, or a suitable number of spare cylinders. Meanwhile, ships constructed on or after 1 July 2014 must install fixed fire-extinguishing systems to protect vehicle, special category and ro-ro spaces.