IMO’s Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC 6), which took place on 4-8 February 2019, considered a first set of draft recommendations for fishing vessels and pleasure yachts operating in Polar waters.
In light of the increased traffic in the Polar waters of vessels which do not fall under the mandatory IMO instruments, such as fishing vessels and pleasure yachts, and the increased risks of pollution of the sensitive polar environment, as well as the risks to such vessels and their crews, the Sub-Committee has been instructed to develop safety recommendations for these vessel types, which are not already covered by the mandatory Polar Code, the so-called ‘non-SOLAS’ ships.
A correspondence group was established to further develop the draft guidelines for safety measures for fishing vessels of 24 metres and over operating in polar waters, as a high priority, with a view to finalization at SDC 7.
The correspondence group was also instructed to further develop the draft guidelines for pleasure yachts of 300 GT and above not engaged in trade operating in polar waters.
