Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments (III), 2nd session, 13-17 July 2015

Guide for developing regulations for non-SOLAS ships endorsed

The Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments (III), meeting for its 2nd session, endorsed a set of general safety principles and functional requirements intended to be used when developing national or regional safety regulations for passenger ships not covered by the 1974 SOLAS Convention.

The non-validated Guide for regulating the safety of passenger ships not covered by SOLAS: generic principles and functional requirements for devising national or regional regulations for passenger ship safety certification aims to outline, in a simplified manner, the various factors that should be taken into account when developing national or regional regulations  relating to the safety certification of passenger ships.  The guide has not been formally validated or subjected to technical review by IMO.

The Sub-Committee invited interested Member States to provide feedback on the use of the Guide. 

In-the-field job aid for investigators approved
The Sub-Committee approved an in-the-field job aid for maritime casualty investigators, which provides a comprehensive bullet point check list aimed at new investigators. The job aid acts as an aide-memoire for the necessary actions and considerations at each stage of an investigation, covering investigatory stages up to and including the field phase.

The job aid is based on the Marine Accident Investigators' International Forum's (MAIIF's) Investigation Manual; IMO’s Code of the International Standards and Recommended Practices for a Safety Investigation into a Marine Casualty or Marine Incident (Resolution MSC.255(84); and Guidelines to assist Investigators in the Implementation of the Casualty Investigation Code ( Resolution A.1075(28),
 
The Sub-Committee also approved the Lessons Learned from Marine Casualties for Presentation to Seafarers, based on 16 specific casualties, for review and release on the IMO website. 

Guidelines for PSCOs on the ISM Code agreed
The Sub-Committee finalized a draft MSC-MEPC.4 circular on Guidelines for port state control officers (PSCOs) on the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, for submission to the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) and Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC).

Draft SOLAS amendment on survey windows for non-ESP cargo ships agreed
The Sub-Committee developed a draft new regulation SOLAS regulation XI-1/2-1 aimed at aligning survey periods for cargo ships not subject to the International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections During Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers (ESP Code). Consequential draft amendments to the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC) were also agreed. The draft amendments to SOLAS and the HSSC will be forwarded to the MSC for approval with a view to future adoption. 

Exemption of survey and certification MARPOL rules for UNSP barges agreed
The Sub-Committee developed draft amendments to MARPOL Annexes I, IV and VI and associated guidelines concerning the exemption of unmanned non-self-propelled (UNSP) barges from survey and certification requirements, for consideration by the MEPC. The exemption would be allowed for unmanned, non-self-propelled barges, provided that the barge is not propelled by mechanical means; has no crew or passengers; does not carry oil or noxious liquid substances; does not produce oil residues; has no arrangements that could produce sewage (in relation to Annex IV); and has no system, equipment and/or machinery installed that may generate emissions (regulated by Annex VI).

HSSC survey guidelines updated
The Sub-Committee agreed a draft Assembly resolution on Amendments to the Survey Guidelines under the HSSC, to update the guidelines to reflect recent amendments to mandatory instruments, for submission to the IMO Assembly later this year for adoption. The updated guidelines will include the requirements deriving from all amendments to mandatory IMO instruments entering into force up to and including 31 December 2015.

Updated list of obligations approved
The Sub-Committee agreed a draft Assembly resolution on Non-exhaustive list of obligations under instruments relevant to the IMO Instruments Implementation Code, for submission to the IMO Assembly for adoption.