A harmonized system of survey and certification covering international shipping regulations adopted by the International Maritime Organization enters into force on 3 February 2000. It harmonizes survey procedures and survey dates for all major ship certificates, instead of having different survey procedures and dates for certificates under different conventions.Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC) was brought about with the sole objective of simplifying and systemizing the survey and certification of ships. This will ensure that survey works will not be duplicated e.g. … [Read more...]
Lifeboat – General Requirements
Requirements All lifeboats shall be properly constructed and shall be of such form and proportions that they have ample stability in a seaway and sufficient freeboard when loaded with their full complement of persons and equipment. All lifeboats shall have rigid hulls and shall be capable of maintaining positive stability when in an upright position in calm water and loaded with their full complement of persons and equipment and holed in any one location below the waterline, assuming no loss of buoyancy material and no other damage.1. Each lifeboat shall be fitted with a certificate of … [Read more...]
International Maritime Organization or IMO: what it is, what it does and how it works ?
International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations dealing with maritime affairs , the main concern of which was to evolve international maritime structure to improve safety at sea. Because of the international nature of the shipping industry, it had long been recognised that action to improve safety in maritime operations would be more effective if carried out at an international level rather than by individual countries acting unilaterally and without coordination with others. Although a number of important international agreements had already been … [Read more...]
GMDSS Radio Equipment Requirements on Ship as per SOLAS
The GMDSS radio equipment requirements are categorized as following:General Sea area A1 Sea areas A1 and A2 Sea areas A1, A2 and A3 Sea areas A1, A2, A3 and A4 Radio equipment: GeneralEvery ship shall be provided with:VHF radio capable of transmitting and receiving:-DSC on the frequency 156.525 MHz (channel 70) and maintain a continuous watch on the same -Radiotelephony on the frequencies 156.300 MHz (channel 6), 156.650 MHz (channel 13) and 156.800 MHz (channel 16);A search and rescue locating device (SART) capable of operating either … [Read more...]
GMDSS Watches to maintain at sea
In compliance with SOLAS Ch IV, Regulation 12 Every Ship While at sea maintain a continuous watch (GMDSS): 1. Ships complying with regulations under area A1 : on VHF DSC channel 702. Ships complying with regulations under area A2 and A3 : on the distress and safety DSC frequency 2,187.5 kHz3. Ships complying with regulations under area A3 and A4 : on the distress and safety DSC frequencies 2,187.5 kHz and 8,414.5 kHz and also on at least one of the distress and safety DSC frequencies 4,207.5 kHz, 6,312 kHz, 12,577 kHz or 16,804.5 kHz.4. Ships complying with regulations under … [Read more...]
Anti Exposure Suit
SOLAS REQUIREMENT FOR ANTI EXPOSURE SUIT CHAPTER 3, REG 7.3An immersion suit, complying with the requirements of the Code, of an appropriate size, shall be provided for every person assigned to crew the rescue boat or assigned to the marine evacuation system party.ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ANTI EXPOSURE SUIT The anti-exposure suit shall be constructed with waterproof materials such that it:Provides inherent buoyancy of at least 70 N; Is made of material which reduces the risk of heat stress during rescue and evacuation operations; Covers the whole body with the … [Read more...]
Immersion Suit
SOLAS REQUIREMENT FOR IMMERSION SUITAn immersion suit, complying with the requirements of the Code, of an appropriate size, shall be provided for every person assigned to crew the rescue boat or assigned to the marine evacuation system party.An immersion suit of an appropriate size complying with the requirements of the Code shall be provided for every person on board the ship. However, for ships other than bulk carriers, these immersion suits need not be required if the ship is engaged in warm climates where, in the opinion of the administration, immersion suits are … [Read more...]
SOLAS REQUIREMENT’s FOR LIFEJACKET
A lifejacket complying with the requirements shall be provided for every person on board the ship and, in addition:For passenger ships on voyages of less than 24 hours, a number of infant lifejackets equal to at least 2.5% of the number of passengers on board shall be provided; For passenger ships on voyages of 24 hours or greater, infant lifejackets shall be provided for each infant on board; A number of lifejackets suitable for children equal to at least 10% of the number of passengers on board shall be provided or such greater number as may be required to provide a lifejacket … [Read more...]
Lifebuoys
SOLAS REQUIREMENT FOR LIFEBUOYSLifebuoys complying with the Code shall be:So distributed as to be readily available on both sides of the ship and as far as practicable on all open decks extending to the ship's side; at least one shall be placed in the vicinity of the stern; and So stowed as to be capable of being rapidly cast loose, and not permanently secured in any way.At least one lifebuoy on each side of the ship shall be fitted with a buoyant lifeline complying with the requirements of the Code equal in length to not less than twice the height at which it is … [Read more...]