Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments (III), 3rd Session, 18-22 July 2016

Lessons learned highlight importance of lookout
The importance of keeping a proper look-out at all times was among the Lessons Learned from Marine Casualties approved by the Sub-Committee, for dissemination via the IMO website. Other cases involving fatalities highlighted the need for enclosed space entry and rescue drills; risk assessment; and appropriate training and familiarization on board to ensure the correct handling procedure for the anchor windlass and vessel.

Learning from casualty investigation
The Sub-Committee reviewed access rights to casualty-related information for seafarers' training and education, in particular, reports of investigations into serious casualties, which are available on the publicly accessible casualty module of IMO’s Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS). It was agreed that, in future, reports of investigations into casualties required under the Casualty Investigation Code would be made public, by default, while allowing reporting States to amend the release status of their own reports.

Member States were reminded to submit their investigation reports into serious and very serious maritime incidents, in order to assist a more global analysing process, and were encouraged to submit reports on near-misses.

The Sub-Committee also agreed to request the Secretariat to look into how a simplified reporting format might be used for providing information on investigations into less serious casualties and near misses.

Revision of the Procedures for port State control
The Sub-Committee established the correspondence group on Measures to Harmonize Port State Control (PSC) Activities and Procedures Worldwide to review and update the Procedures for port State control. It was agreed that the draft Guidelines for port State control officers on certification of seafarers, hours of rest and manning should be referred to the Sub-Committee on the Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) for review prior to their conclusion into the revised Procedures.

Analysis of PSC data
The correspondence group on Measures to Harmonize Port State Control (PSC) Activities and Procedures Worldwide was also tasked with preparing a methodology in order to carry out the analysis of PSC reports provided by the PSC regimes and to make relevant recommendations. The aim would be to establish a means to identify trends from the submission of overall PSC regime data, such as the total number of inspections, total inspections by ship type, total deficiencies by deficiency group, total detentions by ship and total inspections by flag Administration. The Secretariat was also requested to look into the matter as well as to consider ways to resume the convening of PSC workshops for PSC MoU/Agreement Secretaries and Database Managers.

Analysis of consolidated audit reports
The Sub-Committee reviewed the consolidated audit summary reports (CASRs) relating to audits of Member States carried out under the Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS), as well as those conducted under transitional arrangements prior to the commencement of mandatory audits from the beginning of 2016.

From the analysis of 75 audits, legislation, policy and procedures, management and implementation were identified as the four broad areas contributing to the lack of effective implementation in the major areas identified in audits.

Areas where improvement could be made included those related to management systems; policies; technical instruction and guidelines; national provisions and capacity to promulgate national legislation and to keep it updated; processes; resources (both human and financial); training programmes, awareness, understanding or interpretation of the requirements; and coordination among various entities.

To address these areas, the Sub-Committee recommended that the technical Committees of IMO endorse a number of areas where assistance could be provided to Member States and for them to be forwarded to the Technical Cooperation Committee for consideration of current technical assistance activities. The areas where assistance could be offered relate to:  training of flag State surveyors (FSS); delegation of authority; Initial actions/legislation (for example, assistance in drafting national legislation); implementation; and enforcement. 

HSSC draft amendments 
The Sub-Committee agreed draft amendments to the Survey Guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC) to reflect amendments to the relevant IMO instruments entering into force up to and including 1 January 2017.

Draft amendments to IMO instruments Code obligations
The Sub-Committee developed draft amendments to update the Non-exhaustive list of obligations under instruments relevant to the IMO instrument implementation Code.

Survey guidelines relating to Polar Code agreed
The Sub-Committee agreed draft amendments to the Survey Guidelines under the harmonized system of survey and certification, 2015 for ships operating in Polar Waters, for submission to MEPC 70 and MSC 97 for consideration.

List of certificates to be carried onboard ships
The Sub-Committee developed amendments to FAL.2/Circ.127-MEPC.1/Circ.817-MSC.1/Circ.1462 on the List of certificates and documents required to be carried on board ships, to include insurance certificates under the 2002 Athens Convention and the 2007 Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention. The draft updated circular will be considered by the technical committees, including the Legal Committee, for approval. 

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