Recovery of persons from the water

New SOLAS regulation III/17-1 requirements to enter into force on July 2014

Lloyd’s Register issued Statutory Alert on the new SOLAS regulation III/17-1 requirements which will come into force on July 1st, 2014.

The new regulation requires all ships to have ship-specific plans and procedures for the recovery of persons from the water. The requirements apply to new ships constructed (having their keel laid) on or after 1 July, 2014, and to existing ships by the first periodical or renewal safety equipment survey after 1 July, 2014.

The recovery plans and procedures should facilitate the transfer of persons from the water to the ship while minimizing the risk of injury from impact with ship structure, including by the recovery appliance itself, through a risk assessment taking into account the anticipated conditions and ship-specific characteristics.

Drills should also be carried out to ensure that crew are familiar with the plans, procedures and equipment for recovery of persons from the water. These drills should be part of the routine man-overboard drills.

Further guidance for preparing the plans and procedures is provided in the following circulars:

• MSC.1/Circ.1447 – Guidelines for the Development of Plans and Procedures for Recovery of Persons from the Water
• MSC.1/Circ.1182 – Guide to Recovery Techniques
• MSC.1/Circ.1185/Rev.1. – Guide for Cold Water Survival

The new requirements do not require Ro-Ro passenger ships to have plans and procedures from that date. Ro-Ro passengers ships are already required to carry means of recovery equipment by SOLAS regulation III/26.4, and so are deemed to have complied with the regulation III/17-1 requirements.

Lloyd’s Register recommends owners and operators of new and existing ships to bring this information to the attention of their designers, shipyards, surveyors and other relevant employees and parties, and take any necessary action.

Also read these Safety4Sea articles to learn more on how to survive at sea