ROS - SC.24.doc

This notice is intended for Ship Owners, Managers, Masters and Officers, Surveyors and authorised Classification Societies and applies to all Ships, Mega Yachts and MODU.

The purpose of this Notice is to draw attention to the Amendments to the International Convention for The Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended – Solas Chapter V, Chapter XI and this administration’s guidelines for implementation of the requirements of Chapter XI-2 and the International Ship and Port Facility (ISPS) Code.

1.0              Automatic Identification System (AIS) – Chp. V Reg 19

1.1              Carriage requirements for shipborne navigation systems and equipment (Solas Chp.V, Regulation 19)

              The regulation requires AIS to be fitted on board all ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards engaged on international voyages; cargo ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards not engaged on international voyages and passenger ships irrespective of size built on or after 01 July 2002.

              The regulation also applies to ships engaged on international voyages constructed before 01 July 2002, according to the following timetable:

·         Passenger ship, not later than 01 July 2003

·         Tankers, not later than first survey for safety equipment on or after 01 July 2003

·         Ships, other than passenger ships and tankers, of 50,000 gross tonnage and upwards, not later than 01 July 2004.

An amendment adopted by the diplomatic Conference on Maritime Security in December 2002 states that ships, other than passenger ships and tankers, of 300 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 50,000 gross tonnage, will be required to fit AIS not later than the first safety equipment survey after 01 July 2004 or by 31 December 2004, whichever occurs earlier.

Ships fitted with AIS shall maintain AIS in operation at all times except where international agreements, rules or standards provide for the protection of navigational information.

The attached Annex A requests companies to advise this office with expected date of compliance with regulation 19.

1.2              Exemption from the requirements to carry AIS

              When ships will be taken permanently out of service within two years after the implementation date an exemption may be given from the requirements to carry AIS. Shipowners wishing to apply for an exemption should contact this office at the earliest possible time before the stipulated implementation date.

1.3              Guidelines for installation and performance standards

              Installation of AIS should be carried out in accordance with the guidelines given in SN/Circ.227 – Guidelines for the Installation of a Shipborne Identification System (AIS).

2.0              Ship Identification Number – Chp.XI Reg 3

The ship’s identification number (IMO Number) shall be permanently marked in accordance with Regulation 3, not later than the first scheduled drydocking of the ship after 01 July 2004. Prior to the scheduled date for marking the ship’s manager should advise this office in order that a Carving & Marking Note may be issued and certified marking arranged.

The attached Annex A requests companies to advise this office with expected date of compliance with regulation 3.

3.0              Continuous Synopsis Record – Chp.XI Reg 5

              The ship will be issued with a Continuous Synopsis Record along with the International Ship Security Certificate when verification of compliance with ISPS requirements is complete. The Continuous Synopsis Record will contain the history of the vessel in accordance with Regulation 5 from 01 January 2004 or date of issue, whichever is earlier.

4.0              Ship Security Alert System – Chp. XI-2 Reg.6

4.1              Requirements

              All ships shall be provided with a ship security alert system, as follows:

              .1              ships constructed on or after 01 July 2004;

              .2              passenger ships, including high-speed passenger craft, constructed before 01 July 2004, not later than the first survey of the radio installation after 01 July 2004;

              .3              oil tankers, chemical tankers, gas carriers, bulk carriers and cargo high speed craft, of 500 gross tonnage and upwards constructed before 01 July 2004, not later than the first survey of the radio installation after 01 July 2004; and

              .4              other cargo ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards and mobile offshore drilling units constructed before 01 July 2004, not later than the first survey of the radio installation after 01 July 2006.

The attached Annex A requests companies to advise this office with expected date of compliance with regulation 6.

4.2              Competent authority

              Regulation 6.2 requires the ship security alert system, when activated to initiate and transmit a ship-to-shore security alert to a competent authority designated by the administration, which in these circumstances may include the Company.

              Managers and owners should advise this administration at the time of plan approval of the means by which they propose to comply with this regulation and the organization used for receiving Ship Security Alerts.

5.0              Control and compliance measures – Reg 9

5.1              Control of ships in port

Ships are subject to control and compliance measures when in a port of another contracting Government by officers duly authorised by that government. Such control shall be limited to verifying that there is on board a valid International Ship Security Certificate issued under the provisions of Part A of the ISPS Code. A MSC Resolution will be produced to give guidelines for procedures for Port State Control. Ship’s managers and masters should familiarise themselves with the guidelines given in this resolution when issued.

5.2              Additional measures

A number of contracting governments intend to implement measures over and above Solas including a requirement for Part B of the Code to be Mandatory. It is recommended that all CSO include the requirements of Part B when conducting SSA and clearly indicating that this has been addressed when submitting SSA and SSP for approval. The ISPS certificate, when issued by this office will clearly indicate that the plan has been prepared in accordance with Part A and approval includes all the relevant requirements of Part B of the Code.

Solas XI-2/4.1 states that the Company shall comply with the relevant requirements of Solas XI-2 and of Part A of the ISPS Code, taking into account the guidance given in Part B of the ISPS Code.

Companies should be aware that due to the fact that little guidance is offered in the ISPS code, some port states may require evidence that the Company complies with the regulations stated above.

6.0              Ship Security Assessment (SSA)

The SSA should be carried out by persons of appropriate skills such as a CSO or individuals with equivalent training and qualifications. The SSA is not subject to approval, but an evaluation of the assessment is required at the time of approval of SSP to make sure that it is valid for the ship in question. The completeness and therefore compliance of the SSP is wholly dependant on the thoroughness of the SSA.

The attached Annex B, Ship Security Assessment Report may be used as guidance in preparing and reviewing the SSA. Additionally Annex B may be used to confirm compliance with Part B of the ISPS Code.

7.0              Ship Security Plan (SSP)

Ship Security Plans will be approved by officers from this administration. Plans may be submitted to this office for approval; however companies have an option to have the plans approved within their own office, thus maintaining security requirements and offering speedy clarification on any points raised during the approval process. The format of the SSP is not defined and will be dependent on several contributing factors depending on ship types and operational circumstances. Although the format of SSP is not specifically defined, any SSP submitted for approval are required to contain the information given at Annex C.

The SSP should clearly state the criteria on which the SSA and subsequently the SSP is based. It is important that all risks identified in the assessment are addressed in the SSP. All requirements in Solas Chp.XI-2 and the ISPS Code Part A must be addressed. All relevant requirements given in Part B of the code are required to be taken into account for the purposes of Ship Security Certification and evidence of such taking into account should be provided. It is important that the plan describes security measures which allow for full redundancy in the security procedures, especially with regard to technical equipment. Failure of a piece of equipment should not lead to inability to perform the necessary requirements of the SSP and contingency plans should be developed for such eventualities.

The attached Annex D, Ship Security Plan Report may be used as guidance in preparing and reviewing SSP.

8.0              Verification and Certification

8.1              Shipboard verification

              The shipboard verification will be carried out by officers from this administration or in extenuating circumstances officers from another administration.

8.2              Certification

              Following satisfactory completion of the initial verification an International Ship Security Certificate will be issued.

8.3              Interim certification

              Prior to 01 July 2004, this administration foresees no circumstances in which an interim certificate may be issued. After 01 July 2004 interim certificates may be issued in the circumstance given in Part A 19.4 of the ISPS Code.

9.0                   Ship Security Officer (SSO)

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