Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE), 8th session, 28 February-4 March 2022
Ships operating in polar waters - revision of the Interim guidelines on life-saving appliances and arrangements agreed
The Sub-Committee finalized draft amendments to the Interim guidelines on life-saving appliances and arrangements for ships operating in polar waters (MSC.1/Circ.1614), for submission to the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) for approval.
The Interim guidelines outline possible means of mitigating hazards in order to comply with the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) and are intended to assist ship designers and shipowners/operators, as well as Administrations, in the uniform implementation of relevant provisions in the Polar Code, complementing existing requirements in the International Life-saving Appliance (LSA) Code.
The draft amendments to the Interim guidelines introduce a methodology for the calculation of the maximum time of rescue, set out in an appendix to the guidelines, so that ships can find out how much supply, such as food rations and fresh water, and which type of equipment they should carry on board.
Revised guidelines for fire protection of ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk agreed
The Sub-Committee finalized draft revised guidelines for the approval of fixed dry chemical powder fire-extinguishing systems for the protection of ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk, in order to enhance the safety level.
Prohibiting use of fire-fighting foams containing PFOS
The Sub-Committee finalized draft amendments to SOLAS chapter II-2 and the 1994 and 2000 HSC Codes to prohibit the use of fire-fighting foams containing perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). The regulations say that extinguishing media containing such foams shall be delivered to appropriate shore-based reception facilities when removed from the ship. PFOS is harmful to the environment.
Draft guidelines on lifting appliances and on anchor handling winches agreed
Draft guidelines on lifting appliances and on anchor handling winches were agreed. The two draft guidelines will support the implementation of the new draft SOLAS regulation II-1/3-13 that covers requirements for the application, design and construction, operation, inspection, testing and maintenance of onboard lifting appliances and anchor handling winches. The draft amendments were agreed by SSE 7 and are expected to be adopted by July 2024, with expected entry into force in 2026.
The aim of the draft regulation and the two sets of guidelines is to prevent accidents related to lifting appliances and anchor handling winches, which have caused harm to operators and damage to ships, cargo, shore-based structures and subsea structures, as well as to the marine environment.
Review of standard for shipboard incinerators completed
The Sub-Committee finalized its review of the 2014 Standard specification for shipboard incinerators (resolution MEPC.244(66)) to alleviate possible inconsistencies or misunderstandings in the application of the fire safety provisions to incinerator and waste stowage spaces, with a view to adoption by MEPC 79.
New ventilation requirements for survival craft
The Sub-Committee made progress in developing draft amendments to the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code addressing the ventilation of survival craft, and related draft amendments to the Revised recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances (resolution MSC.81(70)).
The aim is to ensure a habitable environment is maintained in such survival craft at all times.
The Sub-Committee agreed that the draft amendments to the LSA Code should be adopted before 1 July 2024 and enter into force on 1 January 2026. The draft new ventilation requirements in the LSA Code would be applied to liferafts, totally enclosed lifeboats, and partially enclosed lifeboats installed on or after 1 January 2029, so as to allow ample time for Administrations and manufacturers to implement the new ventilation requirements.
A correspondence group was tasked with preparing necessary consequential draft amendments to the survival craft test forms (see MSC.1/Circ.1630), as well as other forms that may need revising.
Fire safety of ro-ro passenger ships
The Sub-Committee progressed its work on minimizing the incidence and consequences of fires on ro-ro passenger ships, following a number of recent serious accidents. The session focused on the further development of draft amendments to the SOLAS Convention and associated codes, to enhance fire prevention, detection and extinction on these types of ships.
The aim is to finalize the draft amendments to the SOLAS Convention and the Fire Safety Systems (FSS) Code at the next session (SSE 9). A correspondence group will progress the work intersessionally.
Safe operation of onshore power supply
The Sub-Committee reviewed submissions relating to the development of draft interim guidelines on safe operation of onshore power supply (OPS) service in port for ships engaged on international voyages. It invited relevant submissions to SSE 9 with a view to finalization of the draft guidelines at that session.
The aim is to address the need for global standards for the process of providing shoreside electrical power to a ship at berth while its main and auxiliary engines are turned off.
In addition to choosing cleaner, greener fuels, utilizing onshore power supply service (also known as "cold ironing", "alternative maritime power" and "shore-side electricity") is another solution to reducing air pollution and emissions from ships, as well as limiting local noise.
Revision of the Code of Safety for Diving Systems
The Sub-Committee established an experts group to progress the work on the revision of the Code of Safety for Diving Systems (last updated in 1995 by resolution A.831(19)) and the associated Guidelines and specifications for hyperbaric evacuation systems (resolution A.692(17)).
A correspondence group was re-established to further progress the work.
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