Marshall Islands issues advisory on the implementation of amendments to SOLAS

The Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator has issued a marine safety advisory regarding the implementation of amendments to SOLAS Regulation II-1/12.

This document is addressed to all ship owners, operators, masters, nautical inspectors, and recognized organizations. It was published 12 April 2023.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Maritime Administrator (the “Administrator”) is voluntarily implementing early* the amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Regulation  II-1/12 (IMO Resolution MSC.474(102)).  

New  paragraph  6.2 provides:

For ships constructed on or after 1 January 2024, except as provided in paragraph 6.3, the collision bulkhead may be pierced below the bulkhead deck of passenger ships and the freeboard deck of cargo ships by not more than one pipe for dealing with fluid in the forepeak tank, provided that the pipe is fitted with a remotely controlled valve capable of being operated from above the bulkhead deck of passenger ships and the freeboard deck of cargo ships. The valve shall be normally closed.

If the remote control system should fail during operation of the valve, the valve shall close automatically or be capable of being closed manually from a position above the bulkhead deck of passenger ships and the freeboard deck of cargo  ships.

The valve shall be located at the collision bulkhead on either the forward or aft side, provided the space on the aft side is not a cargo space.

The valve shall be of steel, bronze or other approved ductile material. Valves of ordinary cast iron or similar material are not acceptable.

*See IMO Circular MSC.8/Circ.1, Voluntary Early Implementation of Amendments to SOLAS Regulation II-1/12 Adopted by Resolution MSC.474(102), issued 10 December 2020.

This amendment may be applied to RMI-flagged passenger ships and cargo ships prior to 1 January 2024, upon publication of this Marine Safety Advisory.

Questions should be directed to the Administrator at: technical@register-iri.com.

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

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS:

Voluntary Early Implementation of Amendments to SOLAS Regulation II-1/12

MSC.474(102): Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as Amended

MSC.8/Circ.1: VOLUNTARY EARLY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AMENDMENTS TO SOLAS REGULATION II-1/12 ADOPTED BY RESOLUTION MSC.474(102)