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DE RUEHLO #0314/01 0251518
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R 251518Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1477
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RHEFHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC
RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS LONDON 000314 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
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PREL, MOPS, PBTS, KSCA, EPET, SMIG, KCRM, PHUM, KFRD 
SUBJECT:  INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION (IMO): 
REPORT OF THE 82nd SESSION OF THE MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE 
(MSC) 29 NOV ? 8 DEC 2006. 
 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY:  The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the 
International Maritime Organization (IMO) held its 82nd 
session at the Polat Renaissance Istanbul Hotel in 
Istanbul, Turkey from 29 Nov ? 8 Dec 2006.  The meeting was 
chaired by MSC vice chairman Mr. N. Ferrar (Philippines) as 
the Acting Chairman due to the sudden and untimely passing 
of the Committee Chairman, Mr. I. Ponomarev (Russian 
Federation).  Eighty-nine member states, one state not a 
member, three associate members, two United Nations 
specialized agencies, and observers from seven 
intergovernmental organizations and 29 non-governmental 
organizations participated.  All achievable U.S. objectives 
were achieved.  Major accomplishments of MSC 82 were: 
 
¶A.  Adoption of amendments to the SOLAS Convention that 
require protective coating on sea water ballast tanks and 
double side skin space on bulk carriers; 
 
¶B. Adoption of amendments to Chapters II-1, II-2, and III 
of SOLAS to enhance passenger ship safety including the 
fire safety of cabin balconies on new and existing 
passenger ships; 
 
¶C. Adoption of amendments to the International Code of 
Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code), International Life Saving 
Appliances Code (LSA Code), International Code for the 
Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous 
Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), International Code for the 
Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied 
Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) and the International Code of 
Safety for High-Speed Craft, 1994 and 2000 (1994 HSC Code 
and 2000 HSC Code); 
 
¶D. Approval of a new vessel traffic separation scheme for 
the approach to Boston, Massachusetts; 
 
¶E. Agreement to consider and develop guidelines on 
maritime security for ships that fall below the size 
threshold of SOLAS and the International Ship and Port 
Facility Security (ISPS) Code; 
 
¶F. Selection of the International Mobile Satellite 
Organization (IMSO) for oversight of satellite 
communications providers for GMDSS and as the Long Range 
Identification and Tracking (LRIT) Coordinator; 
 
¶G. Agreement on a pilot project using the IACS Common 
Structural Rules for tankers and bulk carriers to develop 
the Tier III verification standard for the goal based new 
ship construction standards under the coordination of the 
United States; 
 
¶H. Agreement to reconsider the adoption of the proposed 
revised text of Resolution A.888(21) at MSC 83 on the basis 
of further comments and proposals from Member States along 
with consideration by the COMSAR subcommittee of the 
resolution and the proposals by the U.S. and Spain for 
amendments to SOLAS Chapter IV to authorize additional 
GMDSS communications providers; and 
 
¶I. Consideration of the reports of seven subcommittees. 
END SUMMARY 
 
 
¶2. ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS 
 
¶A. Amended SOLAS regulation II-1/3-2 to require 
protective coating of all dedicated salt water ballast 
tanks on all ships and the double side skin spaces on bulk 
carriers.  In addition, the MSC approved the performance 
standard for the protective coatings; 
 
¶B. Amended numerous regulations in SOLAS Chapters II-1, 
II-2 and III to enhance the safety of passenger vessels. 
Focus of amendments is to ensure the ship is ?its own best 
lifeboat? by including requirements regarding propulsion 
and other vital system functionality to withstand threshold 
levels of damage and safely return to port or, for more 
serious damage, ensure there is adequate time to safely 
abandon the ship; 
 
¶C. Amended SOLAS Chapter II-2 by including fire safety 
requirements pertaining to balconies on passenger ships; 
 
 
 
¶D.  Amended SOLAS regulations II-1/55 and III/38 to include 
standards for alternative design and arrangement of 
machinery/engineering systems and lifesaving systems, 
respectively, in order to foster innovation and enhance 
safety; 
 
¶E. Amended SOLAS Chapter III in numerous places to 
enhance the lifesaving requirements; 
 
¶F. Amended the requirements in the International Code for 
Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code) pertaining to foam, water 
spray and water mist fire extinguishing systems and fire 
detection systems. 
 
¶G. Amended the requirements in the International Life- 
Saving Appliance Code (LSA Code) pertaining to survival 
craft (liferafts, lifeboats, rescue boats) and their 
launching appliances; 
 
¶H. Amended the International Code for the Construction 
and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk 
(IBC Code) to update the fire protection and extinction 
requirements, the summary of minimum requirements for 
different chemicals, the list of products to which the Code 
does not apply, and the index of products carried in bulk; 
 
¶I. Amended the International Code for the Construction 
and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk 
(IGC Code) in a number of locations, primarily focused on 
the fire protection and extinction requirements in Chapter 
11; 
 
¶J. Amended the International Code for Safety for High 
Speed Craft, 1994 (1994 HSC Code), primarily to update the 
lifesaving appliances and arrangement requirements in line 
with the latest amendments to SOLAS Chapter III. 
 
¶K. Amended the International Code for Safety for High 
Speed Craft, 2000 (2000 HSC Code) in numerous locations. 
The most significant amendments are to Chapter 2, Buoyancy, 
stability and subdivision and Chapter 7, Fire safety. 
 
 
¶3.  MARITIME SECURITY 
 
The Committee established a Working Group on Maritime 
Security (MSWG) under the Chairmanship of Mr. Jeremy 
Parkinson (Australia) which was well attended by 57 
Contracting Governments and 12 Non-governmental 
Organizations and Intergovernmental Organizations. 
 
The MSWG focused on security related to vessels which do 
not fall within the scope of SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the 
ISPS Code, and on security of closed cargo transport units 
and of freight containers transported by ships.  The 
Committee approved the MSWG proposal advocated by the USDEL 
to establish a correspondence group on security aspects of 
the operation of ships which do not fall within the scope 
of SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code.  This 
correspondence group will be coordinated by the United 
Kingdom, with support by Japan and the United States.  The 
group will work to define the threats associated with non- 
SOLAS ships and prepare draft guidelines, including a list 
of possible security measures and best practices, for non- 
SOLAS ships, and report to MSC 83 in October 2007. 
 
The Committee also agreed to continue the work of the joint 
MSC/Facilitation of Maritime Traffic (FAL) Committee 
Working Group and tasked this joint working group to 
conduct a comprehensive review of the need to amend SOLAS 
and the ISPS Code to be consistent with World Customs 
Organization (WCO) initiatives associated with the SAFE 
Framework of Standards.  The committee asked Contracting 
Governments to provide further information and analysis to 
facilitate such a review at the next meeting of the MSC/FAL 
WG during FAL 34 scheduled for March 2007. 
 
On other maritime security matters, the Committee approved 
three MSC Circulars on the following subjects:  (1) 
Amendments to the IMO/ILO/UN ECE Guidelines for packing of 
cargo transport units; (2) Revised recommendations on the 
safe transport of dangerous cargoes and related activities 
 
 
in port areas; and (3) Interim Guidance on voluntary self- 
assessment by Companies and company security officers 
(CSOs) for ship security.  The Committee also adopted a 
resolution on the Revision of the guidelines for the 
prevention and suppression of the smuggling of drugs, 
psychotropic substances and precursor chemical on ships, 
and agreed with the MSWG recommendation that it would not 
be appropriate at this time to make it mandatory for ship 
silent alarm systems (SSASs) to be included in the list of 
times to be surveyed by radio inspectors. 
 
¶4.  Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) 
 
The Committee considered U.S. paper MSC 82/8/5 proposing 
that IMO should, on an interim basis, take on the role of 
LRIT Coordinator until an intergovernmental organization is 
legally capable of fulfilling that role.  Despite strong 
interventions by USDEL that designation of the 
International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) was 
premature, the Committee rejected the U.S. proposal and 
designated IMSO as LRIT Coordinator by an overwhelming 
majority of delegations present.  USDEL pointed out that 
IMSO does not have a ratified amendment to its convention 
that would permit IMSO to perform the LRIT Coordinator role 
at this time.  USDEL recommended that the Committee 
establish a contingency plan in the event that IMSO is not 
able to obtain provisional acceptance of the amendment at 
an extraordinary session of its assembly, currently 
scheduled for the first quarter of CY 2007.  By a wide 
margin, the Committee specifically rejected the creation of 
a contingency plan.  The USDEL reserved its position on the 
designation of IMSO and the lack of a contingency plan. 
The USDEL stood alone in its reservation, and the decision 
was otherwise universally accepted by the MSC Member 
States.  The Committee recommended that the IMO Legal 
Division prepare draft Memoranda of Understanding to 
address the selection of IMSO as LRIT Coordinator for 
review by the Committee. 
 
The Committee approved an MSC Circular on the technical 
specifications for the LRIT Data Exchange, the 
International Data Center and the communications within the 
LRIT System network.  Also included in the circular are the 
protocols for the development testing of the LRIT System 
and for testing the integration into the system of new LRIT 
data centers as well as guidance on setting up and 
maintaining the Data Distribution Plan.  Recognizing that 
the technical specifications required further expert 
development by the ad hoc group to be established, the 
Committee agreed to circulate the technical specifications 
on an interim basis under MSC circular to the nominated 
LRIT Coordinator and all Member States. 
 
The Committee established a working group (WG) on 
Engineering Aspects of LRIT to consider the steps necessary 
to ensure the timely establishment of the LRIT system in 
light of the impending entry into force date of the LRIT 
requirements (1 JAN 2008).  The WG used as its basis 
resolution MSC.211(81), Arrangements for the Timely 
Establishment of the Long-Range Identification and Tracking 
System. 
 
On the recommendation of the WG, the Committee developed a 
road map including dates for the timely establishment of 
LRIT.  In addition, the Committee established the Ad Hoc WG 
on Engineering Aspects of LRIT and approved up to four 
additional meetings with terms of reference (TOR) which 
include further updating draft technical specifications and 
preparing a technical costing and billing standard. 
 
The Committee considered some sample billing and costing 
policy questions that need to be answered by the Committee 
before technical billing and costing standards can be 
developed. 
 
The Committee instructed COMSAR 11 (19 ? 23 February 2007) 
to consider LRIT issues in its E-Navigation WG.  The 
Committee considered the proposal by the U.S. (MSC 82/8/5) 
to host the LRIT international data center but deferred any 
decision until MSC 83 pending input and further submittals 
to COMSAR 11. 
 
The Committee decided to have LRIT as a separate agenda 
 
 
item under MSC 83 and agreed to the establishment of an 
LRIT WG at MSC 83. 
 
¶5.  Goal-based standards for new ship construction (GBS). 
 
The Committee continued to make significant progress this 
session on the two tracks established at MSC 81.  A working 
group was established and chaired by Sweden. 
 
Bulk carriers and tankers - The Committee approved a pilot 
project Plan to conduct a pilot verification project with 
the IACS Common Structural Rules for tankers and bulk 
carriers.  The pilot project will be coordinated by the 
United States.  The Committee decided that the consolidated 
version of the Tier III (Verification) information and 
documentation requirements is dependent upon completion of 
the pilot project.  Additionally, the Committee revised the 
Ship Construction File and added human element 
considerations to Tier II, Functional Requirements.  The 
Committee established an intercessional correspondence 
group coordinated by the Sweden to monitor the pilot 
project. 
 
Safety level approach - The Committee updated the long term 
workplan to develop goal-based standards using the safety 
level approach.  The Committee established an 
intercessional correspondence group coordinated by Germany 
to further develop this approach. 
 
¶6.  Human Element. 
 
The Committee established a working group (WG) under the 
chairmanship of Liberia to consider the human element 
issues. 
 
The Committee agreed to instruct STW 38 (22 ? 26 JAN 2007) 
to: (1) review requirements for seafarers for the issuance 
of Dangerous Cargo Endorsements (DCE's), (2) consider basic 
education and familiarization training of seafarers related 
to automated systems, and (3) consider training 
recommendations for Integrated Navigation Systems, 
Integrated Bridge Systems and Engine Room Resource Systems 
as part of the Comprehensive Review of the STCW Convention. 
 
The Committee approved an MSC Circular on an Interim Scheme 
for the Compliance of Certain Cargo Ships and Special 
Purpose Ships with Management for the Safe Operation of 
Ships which requires the application of ITC Tonnage for 
determining compliance with the ISM Code. 
 
The Committee agreed to forward document MSC 82/15/3 (UK) 
to the FSI Sub-Committee for consideration of measures for 
improving implementation and enforcement of the ISM Code. 
Additionally, the Committee encouraged Member Governments, 
intergovernmental organizations and NGO's to submit 
recommendations and information for the considering 
measures improving implementation and enforcement of the 
ISM Code for the next session of the Joint Working Group on 
the Human Element. 
 
In accepting the work program proposal by the U.S. to 
enhance the safety of pilot ladders and pilot ? ship 
transfers, the Committee instructed NAV 53 (23 ? 27 JUL 
2007) to take into account ergonomic criteria when 
considering the design of pilot ladders as well as 
encouraging member governments, intergovernmental and NGO's 
to provide human element expertise during future sessions 
of NAV. 
 
The Committee invites member governments, intergovernmental 
organizations and NGO's to submit proposals in accordance 
with the Organizations strategy to address the Human 
Element to the next session of the Joint Working Group 
during MEPC 56 (9-13 JUL 2007). 
 
¶7.  Implementation of the Revised STCW Convention. 
 
The Committee reviewed the information and reports from the 
Secretary General relative to countries giving full and 
 
SIPDIS 
complete effect to the Convention and directed the update 
of circulars MSC.1/Circ.1163 and /Circ.1164. 
 
The Committee reviewed the information submitted in MSC 
 
 
 
82/6, Adds.1 and 2 and approved competent persons nominated 
by Governments and directed the update of MSC.1/Circ.797. 
 
¶8.  Subcommittee on Ship Design and Equipment (DE). 
 
The Committee approved, in general, the report of the 
forty-ninth session of the DE Subcommittee. 
 
The Committee endorsed the view of DE 49 that SOLAS 
regulations II-1/3-6, containing the provisions for means 
of access in cargo and ballast tanks, did not apply to 
tankers converting from single hull to double hull or 
tankers converting to floating production or storage units. 
However, if in the course of the conversion, ?substantial 
new structures? were added, the new structures should 
comply with the regulation. 
 
The Committee referred the proposal by IACS for an 
interpretation of SOLAS II-1/1.3 concerning the term 
?repairs, alterations and modification of a major 
character? and regulation II-1/3-6 on ?substantial new 
structures? to DE 50. 
 
¶9.  Subcommittee on Radiocommunications and Search and 
Rescue (COMSAR). 
 
The Committee approved, in general, the report of the tenth 
session of COMSAR. 
 
The Committee considered proposed amendments to Resolution 
A.888 (21) along with proposed amendments to SOLAS Chapter 
IV by the U.S. (MSC 82/3/2) and Spain (82/8/10) concerning 
the amendments necessary to permit and approve satellite 
communications providers in addition to Inmarsat for GMDSS 
and to provide the necessary oversight of these satellite 
communications providers.  Overwhelmingly, and in 
opposition to USDEL interventions, the Committee selected 
IMSO (International Mobile Satellite Organization) as the 
agency to provide oversight of the GMDSS communications 
providers.  In fact, all delegations who spoke, except the 
USDEL, supported IMSO in this role.  The USDEL reserved its 
position on the basis that it was premature as IMSO has not 
enacted or ratified the necessary amendments to its 
convention to allow it to conduct the oversight.  The 
Committee then referred the issue of amending resolution 
A.888 (21) and SOLAS Chapter IV to COMSAR 11 for further 
consideration at MSC 83. 
 
¶10.  Subcommittee on Bulk Liquids and Gases (BLG). 
 
The Committee approved, in general, the report of the tenth 
session of the BLG Subcommittee. 
 
The Committee approved draft SOLAS regulation VI/5-1 making 
the carriage of material safety data sheets (MSDS) 
mandatory for the transport of MARPOL Annex I cargoes and 
marine fuels for circulation and adoption at MSC 83.  The 
committee referred the proposal by IBIA in MSC 82/9/1 
concerning the Recommendation for material safety data 
sheets for MARPOL Annex I cargoes and marine fuel oils to 
BLG 11 for consideration. 
 
The Committee approved MSC circular on voluntary structural 
guidelines for new ships carrying liquids in bulk 
containing benzene. 
 
The Committee endorsed the issuance of BLG/Circ.17 on use 
of the correct product name in the shipping document for 
bulk liquid cargoes, BLG/Circ.18 on example of an optional 
shipping document for the purposes of MARPOL Annex II and 
the IBC Code, and BLG/Circ.19 on products which have been 
classified or re-classified since the adoption of the 
amended IBC Code in 2004. 
 
¶11.  Subcommittee on Flag State Implementation (FSI). 
 
The Committee approved, in general, the report of the 
fourteenth session of the FSI Subcommittee. 
 
The Committee decided it is premature to consider merging 
the International Safety Management (ISM) and ISPS audits, 
as proposed by Argentina in document FSI 14/3, due to the 
divergent purposes of the audits and need to gain more 
 
 
 
experience with ISPS.  The USDEL strongly opposed merging 
these audits. 
 
The Committee referred the issue of whether or not to make 
all or part of the guidelines to prevent accidents with 
lifeboats (MSC.1/Cier.1206) mandatory to the DE 
subcommittee and to revisit the issue in order to make a 
decision by 2010. 
 
The Committee approved circular letter on Implementation of 
resolution A.600 (15) to formalize the issuing of number at 
the new building stage. 
 
The Committee endorsed the recommendation of FSI 14 on 
developing a code of conduct for port state control (PSC) 
activities at FSI 15. 
 
The Committee referred PSC guidelines on seafarers working 
hours to both the FSI and STW subcommittees, noting that 
further review was required, especially in STCW related 
matters. 
 
The Committee endorsed the view that the LRIT equipment 
would be surveyed by radio inspectors and adequate 
provisions are to be included in the Survey Guidelines 
under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification 
(HSSC). 
 
The Committee approved an MSC circular on guidelines for 
the annual testing of voyage data recorders and simplified 
voyage data recorders, including the proposed modifications 
by CIRM in document MSC 82/10/6. 
 
The Committee approved an MSC circular on guidelines for 
the pre-planning of surveys in dry-dock of ships which are 
not subject to the enhanced program of inspections. 
 
The Committee referred the proposal by Singapore to include 
bridge resource management mandatory under STCW to the STW 
subcommittee for consideration under the agenda item for 
the comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and STCW 
Code. 
 
¶12.  Subcommittee on Safety of Navigation (NAV). 
 
The Committee approved, in general, the report of the 
fifty-second session of NAV. 
 
The Committee approved three new traffic separation schemes 
(TSS) and amendments to five existing TSS including the 
approach to Boston, Massachusetts for implementation on 1 
July 2007. 
 
The Committee approved a new mandatory ship reporting 
system in the Galapagos Particularly Sensitive Sea Area and 
adopted amendments to two other existing mandatory ship 
reporting systems, for implementation on 1 July 2007. 
 
The Committee adopted by resolution performance standards 
for the Electronic Chart Display and Information System 
(ECDIS) and the Performance Standards for shipborne Galileo 
receiver equipment. 
 
The Committee approved MSC circular on Unified 
interpretations of SOLAS chapter V. 
 
The Committee adopted proposed amendments to the 
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 
1972, as amended, concerning use of distress signals in 
Annex IV for submission for adoption by the twenty-fifth 
session of the Assembly (2007). 
 
The Committee approved an MSC circular on the basis of a 
proposal by Japan, U.S., UK France and Australia on the 
navigational warnings concerning operations endangering the 
safety of navigation.  This proposal resulted from the 
missile firings by the Democratic People?s Republic of 
Korea. 
 
¶13.  Subcommittee on Stability, Load Lines and Fishing 
Vessel Safety (SLF). 
 
The Committee approved, in general, the report of the 
 
 
forty-ninth session of SLF. 
 
The Committee approved an MSC circular on the Interim 
Explanatory Notes to the SOLAS Chapter II-1 subdivision and 
damage stability regulations. 
 
The Committee noted the progress on revising the Intact 
Stability (IS) Code and SLF?s conclusion that both 1974 
SOLAS and 1988 LL Protocol should be amended to make Part A 
of the IS Code mandatory.  The Committee also approved 
three MSC Circulars that provide guidance on alternative 
assessment of the weather criteria, avoiding dangerous 
situations in adverse weather conditions, and on the 
approval of stability instruments. 
 
The Committee approved draft amendments to the stability 
provisions of the INF Code for circulation and adoption at 
MSC 83. 
 
The Committee approved an MSC Circular on recommendations 
concerning tonnage measurement of open-top containerships. 
 
¶14.  Subcommittee on Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes and 
Containers (DSC). 
 
The Committee considered only urgent matters from the 
eleventh session of DSC. 
 
The Committee adopted MSC resolution on Adoption of the 
Guidelines for the design and construction of offshore 
supply vessels, 2006. 
 
The Committee adopted MSC resolution on Adoption of 
amendments to the Guidelines for the transport and handling 
of limited amounts of hazardous and noxious liquid 
substances in bulk on offshore support vessels (LHNS 
Guidelines). 
 
The Committee adopted MSC resolution on Adoption of 
amendments on the Code of Safe Practice for the Safe 
Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers (BLU Code). 
 
The Committee approved MSC circular on Amendments to the 
Manual on loading and unloading of solid bulk cargoes for 
terminal representatives. 
 
¶15.  Technical Assistance. 
 
The Committee noted that during the 2004 ? 2005 bienniums, 
a delivery of technical cooperation activities worth US$27M 
was achieved which was an increase of US$1.5M over the 
previous biennium and the highest level achieved to date 
under the ITCP.  The key outputs during this biennium 
included 107 national courses, seminars and workshops along 
with 117 regional courses that resulted in training 7,367 
participants world-wide which is an increase of 
approximately 1000 over the previous biennium. 
 
¶16.  Consultative Status. 
 
The Committee was satisfied with the application and the 
information provided by IAMU (International Association of 
Maritime Universities) and decided to recommend to the 
Council that IAMU be granted consultative status. 
 
¶17.  Next Session. 
 
MSC 83 is scheduled for 3 to 12 October 2007 in London. 
Major issues to be discussed at MSC 83 include adoption of 
amendments to SOLAS, maritime security, LRIT, goal based 
new ship construction standards, and revisions to 
Resolution A.888(21) and amendments to SOLAS Chapter IV to 
address oversight of new satellite providers. The MSC will 
also consider the reports of eight subcommittees. 
 
TUTTLE