6. This meeting was technically biased and as the week progressed it was apparent that the IMO delegates were very receptive to the views and opinions of IEC TC18, both within the plenary meeting and within the working groups. The following are matters in which IEC were/are able to have an influence：
6.1 The electrical arrangements for public address systems in which assistance was given in the final wording for the cabling arrangements.
6.2 The development of an IEC standard for fire resistant cabling suitable for public address systems.
6.3 The development of standards for the identification of cables and their cores.
7. IMO proposed to officially approach IEC TC18 with regard to work they would like us to carry out on their behalf. This is a new development and if it is wished for IEC TC18 to become more involved with IMO, in matters that. affect design and construction of electrical equipment and systems, it is considered that we should under this work.
7.1 If is agreed IEC TC 18 undertakes work for IMO the time scale over which IEC traditionally produces and publishes its standards would need to be considered. The requirements/regulations produced by IMO are generally produced more rapidly. This is achieved by confining the workload of the DE plenary meeting to a maximum of five (5) major matters all of which are discussed, matters resolved, requirements/regulations produced by working groups and completed and agreed by plenary by the end of the meeting.
8. As the result of attendance at DE 40 another matter which became apparent and requires clarification is the agreed brief of the IEC Observer(s). In order to be effective at IMO meeting IEC's views are required to be made known and decisions made immediately without, of course reference made to any other IEC TC18 representatives/working group, as is normally customary in our work. IEC TC 18 must therefore permit the IEC Observer(s) at IMO to exercise professional judgement within the meetings and to speak on behalf of IEC TC 18 on the understanding that any new work items for IEC will be officially channelled through Geneva.
9. The next meeting attended by Brian Sharman was the MSC meeting held between 9th and 13th March 1998 during which there were no matter of direct interest to IEC TC 18.
10. It was during the next DE 41 meeting, held between 10th to 14th February 1997, that IEC TC 18 was given the opportunity to present to the plenary the CDV standard - Publication 60092-Electrical Installations of Ships - Part 502 Tankers - Special features.
11. The standard was received favourably by a number of government representatives and supported by IACS. However, since it was still in a 'draft' stage, IMO could not action the document other than to note its existence and to defer matters until another meeting. The report regarding this will come later under Agenda item 9.1.
12. There were no further matters directly of interest to IEC TC 18 dealt with at this meeting.
Brian Sharman - Member UK Delegation
TC 18 Observer at IMO meetings
