ISO/TC8 N 947 Annex 3
27 April 2000
IMO DE43 - OBSERVATIONS OF THE ISO REPRESENTATIVE
The following is a summary report of observations at the International Maritime Organization 43rd Session of the Maritime Safety Committee's Sub-Committee on Ship Design And Equipment (IMO DE43), held in London at IMO headquarters in April 2000. Attendees included representatives from 47 Member Governments, one Associate Member, one intergovernmental organization, and 19 non-governmental organizations. A final IMO report of this meeting is not yet available. The following summarizes briefly the items discussed and actions taken:
A. International Approval Procedures for Life-Saving Appliances:
Discussion centered on standardized evaluation and test report forms. The Drafting Group report on this item, including draft standardized evaluation and test report forms, was approved by the Sub-Committee. However, issues were noted that need further consideration or clarification. Members were invited to submit appropriate proposals to the Committee. This item was reported complete.
B. Revision of the HSC Code:
A working group submitted a report on draft amendments to SOLAS chapter X and proposed modifications to a draft HSC Code. The Sub-Committee agreed with the draft code, as well as the draft amendments to SOLAS chapter X, for submission to MSC 72 for approval. The Code is to apply to craft constructed on or after 1 January 1996. Craft with hulls that are supported completely clear above the water surface in non-displacement mode by aerodynamic forces generated by ground effect are excluded from application of the Code. This item was reported complete.
C. Casualty
FSI referred an issue to the Sub-Committee on overheating of belt rollers in self-unloading bulk carriers. No conclusion was reached. The Sub-Committee agreed that FSI should be requested to provide more information on this subject and the nature of expected feedback.
D. Asbestos Related Problems on board Ships:
The Sub-Committee agreed with IACS on the need for clarification of expressions in the draft SOLAS regulation II-1/3-5 and invited MSC 72 to consider a revised draft. Japan stated that asbestos materials on board ships should be prohibited without exception. The Russian Federation reserved its position. France described measures adopted for protection of seafarers against asbestos hazards, and the USA proposed guidance for an operation and maintenance programme. The Sub-Committee agreed that these proposals should be further developed in the form of guidelines. A Correspondence Group was established to develop draft guidelines. The target completion date is 2001.
E. Low-powered Radio Homing Devices for Liferafts on RO-RO Passenger Ship:
COMSAR 4 agreed that search and rescue transponders (SARTs) should be used as low-powered radio homing devices for liferafts on RO-RO passenger ships. The Sub-Committee noted that there was a need to develop carriage requirements for these SARTs. The Sub-Committee agreed to recommend an extension of the target completion date to 2001. Members were invited to submit proposals on carriage requirements for SARTs for liferafts on RO-RO passenger ships. The target completion date is 2001.
