Bahamas Maritime Authority issued IP and SPS Code compliance guidelines

Eda Zenic -

The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) has issued two separate notices outlining requirements for implementing the International Code of Safety for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel (IP Code) and the Special Purpose Ships (SPS) Code.

Effective July 1, 2024, the IP Code is mandatory for Bahamian cargo and high-speed vessels transporting industrial personnel under SOLAS Chapter XV, focusing on vessels involved in offshore operations. The IP Code classifies “industrial personnel” as those transported for offshore work, differentiating them from “special personnel,” who work directly aboard the ship.

The IP Code requires that industrial personnel meet standards for medical fitness, communication skills, and safety training. Ships carrying these personnel must maintain inspected transfer arrangements and conduct additional risk assessments for transfers via boat or helicopter. The Code also regulates hazardous materials brought by industrial personnel, categorizing these as cargo when used offshore and restricting the transport of toxic substances. High-speed vessels carrying industrial personnel are capped at 60 individuals and must obtain a permit for each voyage, along with meeting operational standards.

For new ships, full compliance with the IP Code is required immediately, while existing vessels authorized to carry more than 12 industrial personnel must meet key standards by their next survey. Additionally, passenger ship regulations apply to any ship carrying more than 240 persons in terms of dangerous goods.

Marine Notice 103, specifically for SPS vessels, does not apply to ships transporting industrial personnel. Certification for SPS vessels is based on the ship's construction date: vessels built after July 1, 2024, must adhere to the 2008 SPS Code, while older vessels should follow either the 1983 or 2008 version. This notice mandates that SPS vessels, on both international and non-international voyages, must meet the SPS Code’s safety requirements, with the BMA available to assess compliance on a case-by-case basis if needed.

Special personnel aboard SPS vessels are required to be medically fit, trained in safety protocols, and familiar with the ship’s layout, differing from regular passengers under the SPS Code. For guidance on training standards, the BMA advises consulting Marine Notice 15, which addresses manning, training, and certification in the offshore industry.