PRS: Safety requirements for sea-going passenger ships and high-speed passenger craft on domestic voyages

The Polish Register of Shipping (PRS) has published the Safety Requirements for Sea-Going Passenger Ships and High-Speed Passenger Craft Engaged on Domestic Voyages.

These requirements (No. 100/P) were published on 11 May 2023 and came into force on 15 May 2023.

This publication outlines specific technical standards for sea-going passenger ships and high-speed passenger craft that operate on domestic voyages within the EU Community, irrespective of their flag.

The development of this publication is based on the EU requirements outlined in Annex I, Section 2, of Directive 2009/45/EC issued by the European Parliament and Council regarding safety regulations and standards for passenger ships.

It has been subsequently amended by Directive (EU) 2017/2108 and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/411, pertaining to safety requirements for passenger ships engaged in domestic voyages.

The rules for statutory surveys of sea-going ships, Part II and IV, contain EU requirements concerning life-saving appliances and radio communications, respectively.

The editorial structure of this publication follows the chapter/regulation/paragraph sequence of the SOLAS Convention, which served as the basis for the development of Annex I, Section 2, of Directive 2009/45/EC and its amendments.

This enables easy comparison between the requirements of the directive, SOLAS Convention, and the publication, facilitating future updates to the publication in the event of further amendments to the directive.

Application

This publication is applicable to the following passenger ships and craft, regardless of their flag, when operating on domestic voyages:

• .1 New and existing passenger ships measuring 24 meters or more in length. Refer to definitions of new and existing ships in sections 2.5.5 and 2.5.6.
• .2 High-speed passenger craft. (Article 3, page 1)

The Directive 2009/45/EC, as amended, which forms the basis for this publication, does not apply to:

(a) Passenger ships that are:

• .1 Warships and troopships
• .2 Sailing ships
• .3 Ships not propelled by mechanical means
• .4 Vessels constructed with materials other than steel or equivalent materials and not subject to the standards for High-Speed Craft (Resolution MSC.36(63) or MSC.97(73)) or Dynamically Supported Craft (Resolution A.373(X))*

*This publication is specifically relevant to passenger ships engaged in domestic voyages that must meet the requirements outlined in Publication 118/P. These requirements cover various aspects such as construction materials, hull construction, fire protection, ventilation, escape routes, assembly and embarkation stations, means of escape, and life-saving appliances.

• .5 Wooden ships of primitive construction
• .6 Traditional ships
• .7 Pleasure yachts
• .8 Ships exclusively operating in port areas
• .9 Offshore service ships
• .10 Tenders

(b) High-speed passenger craft that are:

• .1 Warcraft and troopcraft
• .2 Pleasure craft
• .3 Craft exclusively operating in port areas
• .4 Offshore service craft. (Article 3, page 2)

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

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS:

Safety Requirements for Sea-Going Passenger Ships and High-Speed Passenger Craft Engaged on Domestic Voyages