The USCG Cruise Ship National Center of Expertise has issued a newsletter to provide latest updates of the cruise industry and to inform about the upcoming regulatory enforcement for 2016.
1 January 2016
1. MSC.350 (92) BNWAS Implementation dates:
a. All passenger ships irrespective of size, not later than first survey after 01Jan16.
b. The bridge navigational watch alarm system shall be in operation whenever the ship is underway
at sea.
2. MSC.366 (93) Mandatory audit scheme:
a. Creates new SOLAS Ch XIII; Amendments to number of treaties to make the use of the IMO Instruments Implementation Code (III Code) mandatory ( The Assembly adopted the III Code, which provides a global standard to enable States to meet their obligations as flag, port and/or coastal States; the Framework and Procedures for the IMO Member State Audit Scheme; the 2013 nonexhaustive list of obligations under instruments relevant to the III Code; and a resolution on transitional arrangements from the voluntary to the mandatory scheme).
The treaties amended are:
i. SOLAS, 1974, as amended;
ii. STCW Convention, 1978, as amended and STCW Code;
iii. MARPOL Annexes I through to VI; MARPOL Annexes I through to VI;
iv. Protocol of 1988 relating to the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 (1988 Load
Lines Protocol), as amended;
v. International Convention on Load Lines, 1966;
vi. International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969;
vii. Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, as
amended.
3. MSC.365 (93) SOLAS amendments:
a. Amendments to SOLAS regulation II-1/29 on steering gear, to update the requirements relating to
sea trials.
b. Amendments to SOLAS regulations II-2/4, II-2/3, II-2/9.7 and II-2/16.3.3, to introduce mandatory
requirements for inert gas systems on board new oil and chemical tankers of 8,000 dwt and above,
and for ventilation systems on board new ships; related amendments to the International Code for
Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code) on inert gas systems.
c. Amendments to SOLAS regulation II-2/10, concerning fire protection requirements for new ships
designed to carry containers on or above the weather deck.
d. Amendments to SOLAS regulation II-2/13.4, mandating additional means of escape from machinery
spaces.
e. New SOLAS regulation II-2/20-1 Requirement for vehicle carriers carrying motor vehicles with
compressed hydrogen or natural gas for their own propulsion, which sets additional requirements
for ships with vehicle and ro-ro spaces intended for the carriage of motor vehicles with compressed
hydrogen or compressed natural gas in their tanks as fuel.
f. Amendment 37-14 to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.
4. MSC.368(93) International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Amendments to the Code
a. Amendments are related to the testing of lifejackets.
1 March 2016
1. MEPC .256(67) MARPOL
a. MARPOL Annex I, Reg 43: concerning special requirements for the use or carriage of oils in the
Antarctic area, to prohibit ships from carrying heavy grade oil on board as ballast;
2. MEPC .257(67) MARPOL –
a. Annex III: concerning the appendix on criteria for the identification of harmful substances in
packaged form;
3. MEPC .258(67) MARPOL–
a. MARPOL Annex VI: concerning Reg 2 (definitions), Reg 13 (Nitrogen Oxides [NOx], and the
Supplement to the IAPP Certificate, in order to include reference to gas as a fuel and to gas fuelled
engines
1 July 2016
1. MSC.380(94) SOLAS amendments
a. SOLAS Ch II-2 Reg 10 Fire Fighting
b. SOLAS Ch XI Reg 7 Atmosphere testing for enclosed spaces, every ship shall carry an appropriate
portable atmosphere testing instrument.
2. MSC.397(95) and MSC396(95): STCW and STCW Code (Part A) Amendments
a. For IGF Code Vessels (gas fuel)
3. MSC.392(95) SOLAS Amendments – (for gas fueled vessels)
a. Chapter II-1: Amends Reg 2, 55, 56, and 57 to make IGF Code mandatory
b. Chapter II-2 Amends Reg 4, 11, and 20 to improve fire safety
For further news regarding the cruise industry, please read the CSNCOE Newsletter
Also, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has recently released the 2016 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook, revealing global cruise travel is continuing to grow and evolve at a record pace.
Source: USCG
