IACS has submitted draft amendments to MSC.1/Circ.1331

The International Maritime Organization has issued a circular informing that the IACS has submitted draft amendments to the Guidelines for construction, installation, maintenance and inspection/survey of means of embarkation and disembarkation (MSC.1/Circ.1331).

This circular was published on 23 August 2023.

Introduction

The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), at its eighty-sixth session, with a view to providing specific guidance on the construction, installation, maintenance and inspection/survey of means of embarkation and disembarkation such as accommodation ladders and gangways required under SOLAS regulation II-1/3-9, approved the Guidelines for construction, installation, maintenance and inspection/survey of means of embarkation and disembarkation (MSC.1/Circ.1331) (hereinafter referred to as "the Guidelines").

MSC 106, having considered the proposal submitted in document MSC 106/16, agreed to include in its post-biennial agenda an output on "Amendment to the Guidelines for construction, installation, maintenance and inspection/survey of means of embarkation and disembarkation (MSC.1/Circ.1331) concerning the rigging of safety netting on accommodation ladders and gangways" and tasked the Sub-Committee as the coordinating organ, in association with the SSE Sub-Committee to amend the Guidelines.

Discussion

IACS is of the view that the following matters should be taken into consideration when revising the Guidelines.

Application to accommodation ladders used for pilot transfer

The application statement of the Guidelines states that the intention is to provide guidelines for the construction, installation, maintenance, and inspection/survey of means of embarkation and disembarkation required under regulation II-1/3-9 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, adopted by resolution MSC.256(84).

IACS is of the opinion that the application statement of the Guidelines should also include construction, installation, and maintenance of accommodation ladders used for pilot transfer so that the level of safety for these ladders is clearly specified.

Accordingly, reference should also be made to SOLAS regulation V/23 adopted by resolution MSC.308(88).

Updating references to international standards

International standards referred to in the Guidelines have been revised and require to be updated.

For example, ISO standard 5488 is available in 2015 version, ISO standard 7061 is available in 2015 version, and ISO standard 7364 is available in 2016 version.

Test loads

IACS is of the view that at every five-yearly survey, a static test is required in place of operational test as specified in paragraphs 5.1.1.2 (accommodation ladder) and 5.1.2.2 (gangway) of the Guidelines.

Further, it will suffice if the operational test for winches as required in paragraph 5.2.2 of the Guidelines is carried out by raising and lowering the ladder with only the weight of the accommodation ladder and without any additional test load.

Proposal

In light of the discussion in paragraphs 4 to 6, IACS proposes the draft amendments to the Guidelines as contained in the annex for consideration by the Sub-Committee.

Action requested of the Sub-Committee

The Sub-Committee is invited to consider the foregoing, the proposal in paragraph 7, and draft amendments in the annex to this document, and take action, as appropriate.

Annex: Draft revisions to the Annex to MSC.1/Circ.1331

The following changes are proposed*:

"1 APPLICATION

This document is intended to provide Guidelines for the construction, installation, maintenance and inspection/survey of means of embarkation and disembarkation required under regulation II-1/3-9 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, adopted by resolution MSC.256(84) and accommodation ladders used for pilot transfer required as per regulation V/23 of the 1974 SOLAS, adopted by resolution MSC.308(88). Where means of embarkation and disembarkation other than those specifically covered by these Guidelines are fitted, an equivalent level of safety should be provided.

2 CONSTRUCTION

2.1 Accommodation ladders and gangways for means of embarkation and
disembarkation which are provided on board ships constructed on or after 1 January 2010 should meet applicable international standards such as ISO 5488:19792015, Shipbuilding – accommodation ladders, ISO 7061:19932015, Shipbuilding – aluminium shore gangways for seagoing vessels and/or national standards and/or other requirements recognized by the Administration. Such accommodation ladders and gangways fitted on ships constructed before 1 January 2010, which are replaced after that date, should, in so far as is reasonable and practicable, comply with these Guidelines.

...

2.3 The construction and test of accommodation ladder winches should be in accordance with applicable international standards such as ISO 7364:19832016 Shipbuilding and marine structures – deck machinery – accommodation ladder winches.";

"5 EXAMINATION AND OPERATIONAL TEST DURING SURVEYS REQUIRED BY SOLAS REGULATIONS I/7 AND I/8

5.1 Accommodation ladders/gangways and davits

5.1.1 Accommodation ladder

...

5.1.1.2 At every five-yearly survey, upon completion of the examination required by
paragraph 5.1.1.1, the accommodation ladder should be operationally statically tested with the specified maximum operational load of the ladder."

5.1.2 Gangway

...

5.1.2.2 At every five-yearly survey, upon completion of the examination required by paragraph 5.1.2.1, the gangway should be operationally statically tested with the specified maximum operational load of the gangway.

5.2 Winch

...

5.2.2 At every five-yearly survey, upon completion of the examination required by paragraph 5.2.1, the winch should be operationally tested by raising and lowering with the specified maximum operational load of the unloaded accommodation ladder.

5.3 Tests

...

5.3.3 The tests should be carried out with the load applied as uniformly as possible along the length of the accommodation ladder or gangway, at an angle of inclination corresponding to the maximum bending moment on the accommodation ladder or gangway. The ladder or gangway should be in a horizontal position, hanging in the wire(s) and supported by the winch.".

*Tracked changes are indicated using "strikethrough" for deleted text and "bold" to highlight all modifications and new insertions, including deleted text.

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):

Draft amendments to the Guidelines for construction, installation, maintenance and inspection/survey of means of embarkation and disembarkation (MSC.1/Circ.1331)