Entries in Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate

03 February 2015 / C15005

A number of Surveyors incorporate wrong entries in the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate.

NOTICE TO
FLAG ADMINISTRATIONS
DBS STATIONS / SURVEYORS

The form of Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate has been revised by Resolution MSC.338(91). In the amended format a new item has been included on the certificate as follows:

“3.           That the ship operates in accordance with regulation III/26.1.1.1⁵ within the limits of the trade area …………..”

What SOLAS Regulation III/26.1.1.1 requires?

The 1983 amendments to SOLAS Regulation III/26.1.1.1 is applicable to ship constructed on or after July 1, 1986 but before July 1, 1998.

The regulation requires cargo ships to carry one or more totally enclosed lifeboats complying with the requirements of SOLAS Regulation III/44 of such aggregated capacity on each side of the ship as will accommodate the total number of person on board.

The Administration may, however, permit cargo ships (except oil tankers, chemical tankers and gas carriers) operating under favorable climatic conditions and in suitable areas, to carry self-righting partially enclosed lifeboats complying with the requirements of SOLAS Regulation III/43, provided the limits of the trade area are specified in the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate.

What are favorable climatic conditions and suitable areas?

The Administration will define favorable climatic conditions and suitable areas. Generally, an exemption / waiver must be issued for a cargo ship (except oil tanker, chemical tanker and gas carrier) constructed on or after July 1, 1986 but before July 1, 1998 and does not carry a totally enclosed lifeboat.

Dromon position is that a favorable climatic condition may be tropical trading area as defined in ICLL, 1966 as amended (for example the Red Sea).

How item 3 shall be completed?

1. For cargo ships constructed before July 1, 1986 or after July 1, 1998 the surveyor must complete “—“

For example:

“3.           That the ship operates in accordance with regulation III/26.1.1.1⁵ within the limits of the trade area —”

2. For cargo ships constructed between July 1, 1986 and July 1, 1998 fitted with totally enclosed lifeboats the surveyor must complete “—“.

For example:

“3.           That the ship operates in accordance with regulation III/26.1.1.1⁵ within the limits of the trade area —”

3. For cargo ships constructed between July 1, 1986 and July 1, 1998 fitted with self-righting partially enclosed lifeboats the surveyor must complete “The trading area defined by the flag State”

“3.           That the ship operates in accordance with regulation III/26.1.1.1⁵ within the limits of the trade area RED SEA*”

*The trading area of the ship must be written in accordance with the waiver / exemption issued by the flag Administration.

Act Now

Dromon Surveyors must take the above guidelines into account when completing item 3 on the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate.