No. 11 of 2012 - THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY CONVENTION) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS, 2012
MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF
SINGAPORE
SHIPPING CIRCULAR TO SHIP OWNERS
NO. 11 OF 2012
MPA Shipping Division
460 Alexandra Road
21st Storey PSA Building
Singapore 119963
Fax: 6375-6231
http://www.mpa.gov.sg
29 June 2012
Applicable to: Applicable to: Shipowners, shipmanagers, shipping-agents,
masters and officers of Singapore ships.
This circular is to inform shipowners, shipmanagers, shipping-agents,
masters and officers of Singapore ships of the Merchant Shipping (Safety
Convention)(Amendment) Regulations, 2012 which comes into effect on 1
July 2012.
THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY CONVENTION) (AMENDMENT)
REGULATIONS, 2012
- The Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention)(Amendment) Regulations,
2012 comes into effect on 1 July 2012. These Regulations put into effect the
amendments to the regulations annexed to the International Convention for
the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS 74) adopted by Resolutions
MSC.308(88) and MSC.309(88).
Note: Resolutions MSC.308(88) and MSC.309(88) are contained in Shipping
Circular no. 7 of 2011.
Overview of the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention)(Amendment)
Regulations, 2012
- The significant changes brought about by the amendments are —
a. Regulation 41 of Chapter II-1: Application date. The present regulation
(Main source of electrical power and lighting systems) is amended to
include the date of application (1 July 2010).
b. Regulations 1 and 3 of Chapter II-2: International Code for Application
of Fire Test Procedures, 2010 (2010 FTP Code). The amended SOLAS
Regulation 3 gives mandatory effect to the International Code for the
Application of Fire Test Procedures, 2010 (2010 FTP Code). The 2010
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FTP Code provides the international requirements for laboratory
testing, type-approval and fire test procedures for products referenced
under SOLAS chapter II-2. It comprehensively revised the existing
Code adopted by the MSC in 1996, and enhanced its uniform
application. Consequential amendments are made to application dates
in Regulation 1.
c. Regulation 7 of Chapter II-2: Fire detection and alarm for Incinerator
rooms. Resolution MEPC.76(40), Standard Specifications for
Shipboard Incinerators, adopted by the MEPC in 1997, has a
requirement that an enclosed space containing an incinerator should
be fitted with a fire detection and alarm system. For consistency, the
present amendment to SOLAS regulation II-2/7.4.1 requires a fixed fire
detection and fire alarm system for the protection of enclosed
incinerator spaces.
d. Regulation 18 of Chapter V: Annual Test of AIS. The Automatic
Identification System (AIS) is categorized as a shipborne navigational
safety equipment, but it is in fact also an electronic VHF transceiver.
Thus, during the annual survey of the safety equipment on board, the
attending surveyor may fail to detect electronic faults in the AIS
equipment, unless he is trained in the field of electronics and uses an
appropriate measuring instrument. The new regulation specifically
requires the AIS to be tested annually (in addition to survey) by a
competent person, e.g. a radio surveyor.
e. Regulation 23 of Chapter V: Pilot Transfer Arrangements. Arising from
concerns over pilots’ loss of life or serious injury suffered by pilots in
the course of transferring to ships, the IMO has adopted amendments
to SOLAS regulation V/23 and resolution A.889(21) on Pilot transfer
arrangements to improve the safety of pilot transfer operation using
ladders and puts a ban on the use of equipment such as mechanical
hoists. The related Assembly resolution A.889(21) on performance
standards has been superseded by a new resolution at A27
(A.1045(27)) (see Shipping Circular no. 4 of 2012).
- Copies of the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention)(Amendment)
Regulations, 2012 (Government Gazette No. S284/2012) may be purchased
at:
Toppan Leefung Pte Ltd
Legal Publication
Great World City
East Tower, #18-01/06
1, Kim Seng Promenade
Singapore 237994
Tel: 6826 9691
Fax: 6820 3341
e-mail: legalpub@toppanleefung.com
website: www.toppanleefung.com/webshop
Mon–Fri: 9.30am–6pm
Sat, Sun and Public Holidays: Closed.
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- Any queries relating to this circular should be directed to Mr. Ong Hua
Siong at tel no. 6375 6210.
CHEONG KENG SOON
DIRECTOR OF MARINE
MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
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