E
SUB-COMMITTEE ON SHIP SYSTEMS AND
EQUIPMENT
4th session
Agenda item 8
SSE 4/8/3
11 January 2017
Original: ENGLISH
REQUIREMENTS FOR ONBOARD LIFTING APPLIANCES AND WINCHES
Proposed amendments to SOLAS
Submitted by China and Hong Kong, China
SUMMARY
Executive summary:
This document proposes amendments to SOLAS for the application
by port State control regimes after the implementation of the
requirements for onboard lifting appliances and winches
Strategic direction:
5.2
High-level action:
5.2.1
Output:
5.2.1.22
Action to be taken:
Paragraph 9
Related documents:
SSE 3/8 and SSE 3/WP.5
Background
1
This document is submitted in accordance with paragraph 6.12.4 of the document on
Organization and method of work of the Maritime Safety Committee and the Marine
Environment Protection Committee and their subsidiary bodies (MSC-MEPC.1/Circ.5), and
proposes amendments to SOLAS for the application by port State control (PSC) regimes after
the implementation of the requirements for onboard lifting appliances and winches (OLAW).
2
During the discussion on which SOLAS chapter should be amended at SSE 3, the
Working Group was of the view that this matter required careful consideration, particularly in
respect of the validity of ship's certificates. However, it was concluded that a Correspondence
Group on OLAW could develop a general structure of a potential goal- and function-based
SOLAS regulation without having to decide which particular chapter of SOLAS should be
included. Interested Member States and international organizations were invited to submit
proposals to SSE 4 on which chapter of SOLAS should be amended. This document proposes
making reference to relevant operational requirements in SOLAS chapter XI in the potential
amendments to SOLAS chapter II-1 with a view to ensuring smooth operation of port State
control inspections after the implementation of the requirements for OLAW, and invites the
SSE Sub-Committee to consider the proposals to avoid undue delays or detention of ships by
PSC.
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Discussion
3
Requirements for safety and surveys of onboard lifting appliances are derived from
those developed by the International Labour Organization (ILO). Although the Correspondence
Group has developed goal- and function-based SOLAS requirements which cover the
requirements for the design, construction, installation, operation, maintenance and inspection
of OLAW, in the event of substantial defects of equipment found upon inspection, the
equipment should not be used until an appropriate remedial action has been taken. The defects
of OLAW seldom affect the safety of the ship unless such appliances are part of the life-saving
equipment. Therefore, the ship remains fit to proceed to sea without endangering the ship or
persons on board in accordance with SOLAS regulation I/11(a). Respectively, the Cargo Ship
Safety Construction Certificate or the Cargo Ship Safety Certificate of the ship are still valid
and shall be accepted by port State control authorities according to SOLAS regulation I/19(b).
4
As for which SOLAS chapter is considered suitable to be amended for OLAW, it is the
co-sponsors' opinion that the most appropriate solution will be the addition of a new chapter
based on the consideration that OLAW are not substantively related to the safety construction,
safety equipment and navigation of the ship. The Correspondence Group was of the view that
the introduction of requirements for OLAW in SOLAS chapter II-1 was more appropriate than
their inclusion in the chapter related to the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate. In
addition, attention should be paid to the coordination between the ILO certificate and SOLAS
certificate when the amendments enter into force.
5
To add the requirements for OLAW in SOLAS chapter II-1 can ensure relevant
implementation; however, the objectives of SOLAS regulations I/11(a) and I/19(b) should be
clarified in order to avoid any misapplication that could lead to the invalidation of the Cargo
Ship Safety Construction Certificate or the Cargo Ship Safety Certificate, which may
consequentially cause undue delay or a PSC detention.
6
If the requirements for OLAW are included in SOLAS chapters VI or XI-1, the potential
risk mentioned in paragraph 5 above can be avoided.
7
PSC authorities should be made aware that the ship remains fit to proceed to sea
without endangering the ship or persons on board if substantial defects of the OLAW do not
compromise the safety of navigation of the ship. It is more appropriate to subsequently amend
the PSC requirements in SOLAS regulation XI-1/4 "Port State control on operational
requirements" which involves the application of the requirements for OLAW.
Proposal
8
In order to ensure that the measures for routine maintenance and inspection of the
OLAW meet the requirements so as to reduce OLAW-related accidents as well as preventing
undue delay or PSC detention, it is proposed:
.1
adding a new paragraph 5 in SOLAS chapter XI-1/4 as follows:
"Where the onboard lifting appliances specified in regulation II-1/3-XX are
not used as onboard safety equipment, the Cargo Ship Safety Construction
Certificate or the Cargo Ship Safety Certificate of the ship will continue to be
valid, provided that the safety of navigation is not affected."; and
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.2
adding a note in SOLAS chapter II-1 to refer to SOLAS chapter XI-1 when
the requirements for OLAW are included in SOLAS chapter II-1, which would
read as follows:
"For requirements related to port State control with regard to this regulation,
refer to regulation XI-1/4.5."
Action requested of the Sub-Committee
9
The Sub-Committee is invited to consider the proposal in paragraph 8 above, and take
action as appropriate.
___________
https://edocs.imo.org/Final Documents/English/SSE 4-8-3 (E).docx