SUBJECT:   Draft Delegation Report:   Sub-Committee on Stability and Load Lines and on Fishing Vessels Safety (SLF), Forty-ninth Session, International Maritime Organization (IMO), London, July 24 - 28, 2006

NOTE:   Report to the Maritime Safety Committee, Forty-ninth Session has been posted, along with the following working papers from the session:
      Report of the SDS Working Group - Explanatory Notes for Harmonized SOLAS Chapter II-1(WP 1);
      Report of the SDS Working Group - Passenger Ship Safety (WP 1/Add.1);
      Report of the IS Working Group - Part 1 (WP 2);
      Report of the IS Working Group - Part 1 (Continued) (WP 2/Add.1);
      Report of the SDS Working Group -- Small Fishing Vessels (WP 3);
      Report of the Drafting Group on Tonnage Measurement of Open-Top Containers (WP 4);
      Work Programme and Agenda for SLF 49

1.   SUMMARY: The IMO SLF S/C held its 49th session at IMO headquarters in London from July 24 - 28, 2006, under the chair of Mr. Rob Gehling (Australia). 59 Member Governments, 1 Associate Member, 2 representatives from an United Nations Specialized Agency, 1 observer from an Inter-governmental Organization, and 11 observers from Non-governmental Organizations participated. The size of several of the delegations: United Kingdom - 18, Germany - 14, Japan - 12, Norway - 12, Republic of Korea - 11, China - 8, Italy - 8, USA - 7, and France - 6.

The following Working Groups were established with the associated attendance of countries and observers: Subdivision and Damage Stability (19 countries, 4 observers), Intact Stability (19 countries, 2 observers), Safety of Small Fishing Vessels (20 countries, 4 observers). Accomplishments and outcomes of particular interest include the following:

A. The Subdivision and Damage Stability (SDS) Working Group completed Interim Explanatory Notes for the new harmonized SOLAS Chapter II-1 damage stability regulations, which were then agreed to by the S/C and forwarded to the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 82) for approval as an MSC circular. Although the new damage stability regulations will not enter into force until 1 January 2009, this interim guidance is essential to allow future passenger ship designs to proceed. Regarding a proposal from Sweden and the United States on the operation of watertight doors, the S/C decided this important issue should be considered as a separate agenda item and requested a new work program item on “Guidance on the impact of open watertight doors on survivability under SOLAS regulation II-1/22.4” be approved by MSC 82 as an urgent matter. The SDS Correspondence Group was re-established to continue development of the Explanatory Notes and to develop a draft MSC circular on Guidelines for damage control plans and information to the master.

B. The SDS Working Group also completed work on Passenger Ship Safety items. New draft SOLAS regulation II-1/8-1 regarding return to port capability for passenger ships in the damaged condition, and regulation II-1/22-1 regarding flooding detection systems for passenger ships, were finalized and agreed to by the S/C for submission to MSC 82 for consideration and adoption. The S/C also reviewed and agreed to a draft MSC circular on Performance Standards for the Systems and Services to Remain Operational on Passenger Ships for Safe Return to Port After a Casualty for submission to MSC 82 for approval. The SDS Correspondence Group was tasked to prepare guidelines for flooding detection systems in draft SOLAS regulation II-1/22-1. This concludes the S/C’s work on the Passenger Ship Safety agenda item.

C. The Intact Stability Working Group completed its work on the revised Code on Intact Stability (IS Code) except for matters related to an equivalency section, and determining the most appropriate way to amend the SOLAS and Load Lines regulations so that the entry-into-force date is the same under both conventions. Discussions on a framework for development of new performance-based stability criteria indicate that a U.S. preferred approach is likely. The IS Working Group also completed work on a draft MSC circular on revised guidance to the master in dangerous conditions, two sets of explanatory notes related to the IS Code, and guidelines for the approval of stability instruments, which were forwarded to the MSC for approval as MSC circulars.

END SUMMARY.

2.    Development of Explanatory Notes for Harmonized Chapter II-1. The SDS Working Group met the entire week, and completed Interim Explanatory Notes for the new harmonized damage stability regulations in SOLAS Chapter II-1. The Interim Explanatory Notes were agreed to by the S/C and forwarded to MSC 82 for approval as an MSC Circular. Although the new regulations will not enter into force until 1 January 2009, this interim guidance is considered essential to allow future passenger ship designs to proceed. Proposed guidelines on damage consequence diagrams were not included in the Interim Explanatory Notes, however it was agreed that this guidance should be further developed as a new MSC circular. It was also agreed not to include guidance proposed by Sweden and the United States for determining the impact of open watertight doors on survivability in the Interim Explanatory Notes, as it was decided this important issue should be considered as a new agenda item. Accordingly the S/C submitted justification for a new work program item “Guidance on the impact of open watertight doors on survivability under SOLAS regulation II-1/22.4” to MSC 82 for approval as an urgent matter. Regarding the Fire Protection S/C’s proposed definition of “unfavourable conditions of trim and list” for inclusion in SOLAS regulation III/3, the S/C agreed that the new definition was not appropriate in the context of performance standards related to probabilistic damage stability and should be reconsidered at MSC 82. The SDS Correspondence Group was re-established to: (a) develop additions and improvements to the Interim Explanatory Notes, and identify any of the new harmonized damage stability regulations that might need improvement or clarification; (b) develop a draft MSC circular on Guidelines for damage control plans and information to the master; and (c) finalize draft revisions to resolution A.266(VIII) regarding cross-flooding arrangements. Sweden and the United States, as they have for over a decade, will co-coordinate the Correspondence Group.

3.    Passenger Ship Safety. The SDS Working Group completed its work on Passenger Ship Safety, and finalized draft SOLAS regulations and an associated MSC circular were then agreed to by the S/C for submission to MSC 82 for final consideration and adoption. The new draft SOLAS regulation II-1/8-1 regarding return to port capability for passenger ships in the damaged condition, includes a propulsion redundancy requirement for return to port when subject to flooding of any single watertight compartment. It also has an enhanced survivability criterion for damage cases where propulsion is lost. The S/C was divided on a suitable passenger ship size applicability threshold for this new regulation, and agreed to include two options, a 400 or more persons option, and a 1,500 or more persons option, for decision at MSC 82. An associated draft MSC circular on Performance Standards for the Systems and Services to Remain Operational on Passenger Ships for Safe Return to Port After a Casualty was also finalized for approval at MSC 82. The new draft SOLAS regulation II-1/22-1 regarding flooding detection systems for passenger ships, applies to passenger ships carrying 36 or more persons. The specific flooding detection system details for this new regulation will be provided in guidelines, which the SDS Correspondence Group has been tasked to prepare for consideration at SLF 50. This concludes the S/C’s work under the Passenger Ship Safety agenda item, and it was agreed to delete it.

4.    Revision of the Intact Stability Code. The IS Working Group met the entire week, completed final technical editing of the draft revised IS Code, completed four MSC circulars, and worked on elements of the IS plan of action. The IS Working Group was not able to determine the proper way to implement the mandatory provisions of the draft revised IS Code (i.e., Part A). The S/C agreed that amendment of both SOLAS and the 1988 Load Lines Protocol was appropriate and that such amendments should be coordinated to enter into force at the same time. Accordingly, the S/C tasked the Intact Stability Correspondence Group to recommend a plan to achieve this goal and to suggest amendment text. The Working Group also discussed whether or not Part A should include an “equivalency provision” (similar to those found in other Conventions and Codes) and the Correspondence Group was also tasked to consider and propose a solution. In other action, the S/C also agreed to several draft MSC circulars completed by the IS Working Group for submission to MSC 82 for approval: (a) Explanatory Notes to the Interim Guidelines for Alternative Assessment of the Weather Criterion (MSC.1/Circ.1200); (b) Explanatory Notes to the Intact Stability Code; (c) Guidelines for the Approval of Stability Instruments, and (d) Revised Guidance to the Master for Avoiding Dangerous Situations in Adverse Weather and Sea Conditions (MSC/Circ.707). In addition to the matters mentioned above, the Correspondence Group was further tasked to continue work on the items in the updated plan of action for intact stability work (such as consideration of regulations for certain types of ships and development of performance-based criteria) and prepare recommendations for any necessary amendments to the work programme.

5.    Safety of Small Fishing Vessels. The Working Group on Safety of Small Fishing Vessels continued development of draft Safety Standards for Small Fishing Vessels, on the basis of the consolidated draft text provided in the Correspondence Group report. Noting the Working Group’s recommendation, the S/C agreed to use “Safety recommendations for decked fishing vessels of less than 12 metres in length and undecked fishing vessels” as the guidance document title. The amended draft safety recommendations will be provided in part 2 of the Working Group’s report, which will be issued shortly after the session. The S/C re-established the Correspondence Group, under the coordination of South Africa, to finalize the draft Safety recommendations for consideration at SLF 50.

6.    Harmonization of Damage Stability Provisions in Other IMO Instruments. The S/C considered the possible harmonization of the 1988 Load Lines Protocol by deletion of the footnote in new SOLAS regulation II-1/4.1, which refers to the 1988 Load Lines Protocol. After an extensive debate, the S/C agreed to a compromise solution that footnotes .6 and .7 would be retained but with a new limitation to only apply to bulk carriers that do not carry deck cargo. Regarding harmonization of the INF Code, the S/C agreed to maintain the existing standard with minor editorial amendments to align with the new harmonized damage stability regulations in SOLAS Chapter II-1. The draft amendments to the INF Code, which is a mandatory Code under SOLAS Chapter VII, were forwarded to MSC 82 for approval and subsequent adoption. This concludes the S/C’s work under this agenda item, and it was agreed to delete it.

8.    Review of the Special Purpose Ships (SPS) Code. This item was established to update the SPS Code to reflect changes since it was adopted in 1983, and is being coordinated by the Ship Design and Equipment S/C. The primary task for SLF is to address the damage stability aspects and update them to reflect the new harmonized damage stability regulations in SOLAS Chapter II-1. In this context the S/C considered several options for damage stability criteria provided in the SDS Correspondence Group report, as well as additional proposed amendments from Norway. The S/C made several preliminary decisions, and then agreed to establish a Correspondence Group, under the coordination of Australia, to develop draft amendments to the SPS Code for consideration at SLF 50. The target completion date was extended to 2007.

9.    Next Session. The S/C unanimously re-elected Mr. Rob Gehling (Australia) as Chairman for 2007. Professor Zbigniew Szozda (Poland) was also re-elected as Vice-Chairman. The Fiftieth Session of the S/C is tentatively scheduled for April 30 to May 4, 2007.