4 Bearing in mind the present ambiguity of the concept of "fixed route", a draft MSC circular in two versions is proposed.
If the Sub-Committee considers that the cruise ships in question are taking a "fixed route", version A is appropriate. It provides an interpretation of SOLAS regulation V/15 (c) and a criterion of frequency of visits so that shipowners can meet an obligation under the SOLAS Convention.
If the Sub-Committee considers that the cruise ships in question are not taking a "fixed route", version B is appropriate. It makes a recommendation(with the same criterion of frequency of visits), inviting the shipowners concerned voluntarily to develop plans for co-operation with SAR services. Bearing in mind the recent nature of the relevant provision of the SOLAS Convention, there is no question of amending it to make regulation V/15 (c) apply explicitly to cruise ships.
Action requested of the Sub-Committee
5 The Sub-Committee is invited:
.1 to decide on the issue of whether cruise ships which regularly frequent the same areas are ships trading on "fixed routes" in the meaning of regulation V/15 (c) of the SOLAS Convention;
.2 to confirm that plans for co-operation with SAR services are useful for the cruise ships in question;
.3 if the answer to .1 and .2 above is positive, to examine and approve version A of the attached draft MSC circular;
.4 if the answer to .2 above alone is positive, to examine and approve version B of the attached draft MSC circular;
.5 to convey the whole of its deliberations to the Maritime Safety Committee for its approval.
