VZCZCXRO8841
RR RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHPB RUEHPOD
DE RUEHLO #1206/01 0881146
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 291146Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2701
INFO RUWDQAC/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
RHEFHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC
RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 LONDON 001206 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
COGARD FOR DC//G-CI/G-L/G-LMI/G-P/G-PS/G-PSE 
DC//G-CI/G-L/G-LMI/G-P/G-PS/G-PSE/G-PSO/G-PSR / 
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STATE PLEASE PASS TO IO/OIC FOR M. MORRISSEY 
 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: IMO AORC ASEC UK
SUBJECT:  INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION (IMO):  REPORT OF THE 
FIFTIETH SESSION OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE (S/C) ON SHIP DESIGN AND 
EQUIPMENT (DE), LONDON, 5-9 MARCH 2007. 
 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY:  The 50th session of the IMO DE S/C met in London 5-9 
March 2007, chaired by Mrs. A. Jost (Germany).  The session was 
attended by delegations from 60 member states, one associate member, 
one non-member state, one intergovernmental organization, and 
observers from 24 non-governmental organizations in consultive 
status.  Working groups (WG) and drafting groups (DG) were formed to 
address several of the agenda items.  All US objectives were 
achieved.  Accomplishments and outcomes of particular interest 
include the following: 
¶A.  Review of MEPC.1/Circ.511 and relevant MARPOL Annex I and Annex 
VI requirements - The S/C began a review of MEPC.1/Circ.511 and 
relevant MARPOL Annexes I and VI requirements, concerning 
legislative and implementation aspects related to prevention of 
operational oil pollution from ships, based on submissions to MEPC 
¶55.  The S/C agreed to establish a working group at DE 51, and also 
established an intersessional correspondence group to be coordinated 
by Denmark to further work on this item. 
¶B.  Life-saving appliances - The S/C established a life-saving 
appliances (LSA) working group chaired by the US to consider matters 
related to agenda items on compatibility of life-saving appliances, 
measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats, test standards for 
extended service intervals of inflatable liferafts, amendment of 
Res. A.760(18), performance standards for recovery systems, and 
consideration of IACS unified interpretations. 
¶C.   Performance standards for protective coatings - The S/C 
completed its work on a draft performance standard for protective 
coatings for void spaces on tankers and bulk carriers for approval 
by MSC 83. 
¶D.   Mandatory emergency towing systems in ships other than tankers 
of not less than 20,000 dwt - The S/C completed its work on drafting 
SOLAS amendments and complementary guidelines to require new and 
existing ships over 500 gt to have an emergency towing procedure for 
approval by MSC 83.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2.   Amendments to Resolution A.744(18) - The S/C agreed to draft 
amendments to Annex A of Assembly Resolution A.744(18) -  Guidelines 
on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections During Surveys of Bulk 
Carriers and Oil Tankers - for survey guidelines for double-skin 
bulk carriers for approval at MSC 83.  The S/C also included 
procedural requirements for surveyor monitoring of thickness 
measurements as part of these draft amendments.  The S/C agreed to 
establish an intersessional correspondence group coordinated by 
Japan to prepare a justification to expand the work on amendments to 
A.744(18) to harmonize the ESP Guidelines with the relevant IACS 
Unified Requirements regarding survey guidelines for both oil 
tankers and double-hull oil tankers, as well as bulk carriers.  The 
S/C also agreed to prepare draft amendments to A.744(18) for 
inclusion of requirements for provision and maintenance of as-built 
drawings covering items such as machinery installations, electrical 
installations and control systems, and will submit a report to DE 
¶51. 
 
¶3.   Performance standards for protective coatings - The S/C 
finalized a draft performance standard for protective coatings of 
void spaces on new tankers and bulk carriers for approval at MSC 83. 
 This draft standard may become mandatory pending a decision by MSC 
¶83.  The S/C established a working group chaired by the US to 
finalize the draft performance standard for protective coatings of 
void spaces on the basis of the intersessional correspondence group 
report coordinated by China. 
 
¶4.   Inspection and survey requirements for accommodation ladders - 
The S/C agreed to a draft SOLAS chapter II-1 regulation on Means of 
embarkation on and disembarkation from ships, as well as a draft MSC 
circular on Guidelines for construction, maintenance and inspection 
of accommodation ladders and gangways,  for approval at MSC 83.  The 
new regulation will result in coverage of this equipment under the 
survey requirements in SOLAS chapter I. 
 
¶5.   Mandatory emergency towing systems in ships other than tankers 
of not less than 20,000 dwt - The S/C established a drafting group 
chaired by Germany, which followed terms of reference developed by 
the US to finalize draft SOLAS amendments that would require all new 
and existing ships subject to SOLAS to have an emergency towing 
procedure.  The S/C also finalized an MSC circular providing 
guidelines to the shipowner in developing ship-specific emergency 
towing procedures.  Procedures are to include drawings of fore and 
aft deck showing possible emergency towing arrangements, inventory 
of equipment available on board that can be used for emergency 
towing, means and methods of communication, and sample procedures to 
facilitate the preparation for and conducting of emergency towing 
operations. 
 
 
LONDON 00001206  002 OF 004 
 
 
¶6.   Development of provisions for gas-fuelled ships - This item is 
also being considered by FP and BLG.  The S/C noted that BLG 10 
established an intersessional correspondence group, coordinated by 
Norway, to develop interim guidelines for gas-fuelled ships with a 
view to finalize these guidelines at BLG 12 (2008) for submission to 
MSC 84 for approval, and to start development of a draft 
International Code of Safety for Gas-Fuelled Engine Installations in 
Ships using these interim guidelines as a basis. 
 
¶7.   Consideration of IACS Unified Interpretations - The S/C agreed 
in principle with IACS Unified Interpretation SC 213 identifying 
safety features for areas where remotely located survival craft are 
arranged, and agreed to a draft MSC circular on unified 
interpretation of SOLAS chapter III. 
 
¶8.   Review of the SPS (Special Purpose Ships) Code - The S/C 
considered the report of the correspondence group coordinated by 
Norway and generally agreed with the draft amendments to the SPS 
Code as proposed by the correspondence group.  The S/C took into 
account that the SPS Code should generally have the same scope of 
application as SOLAS, and agreed that all references to class A 
ships and trainees should be removed from the draft text.  The S/C 
also re-established the intersessional correspondence group again 
coordinated by Norway to further develop draft amendments to the SPS 
Code and to submit a report to DE 51. 
 
¶9.   Revisions to the Code on Alarms and Indicators - The S/C had 
general agreement with an IACS proposal for a draft revision of the 
Code on Alarms and Indicators (DE 50/10/2/Rev.1) and referred this 
document to NAV, DSC, FP, and BLG for comments on issues under their 
purview.  A working group is planned for DE 51. 
 
¶10.   Amendments to the MODU Code - The S/C established a drafting 
group chaired by Liberia to further develop draft amendments to the 
MODU Code and agreed to refer certain draft amendments to SLF, FP 
and COMSAR for consideration.  The S/C also established an 
intersessional correspondence group coordinated by Liberia to 
further develop draft amendments to the MODU Code and submit a 
report to DE 51.  Several delegations expressed the view that the 
MODU Code should be made mandatory. 
 
¶11.   Measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats - The S/C agreed 
that the design criteria for free-fall lifeboat seats should be 
updated with larger size/weight criteria on the basis that sizes of 
mariners have increased globally, and that a larger seat provides 
better restraint and support and is safer for a large occupant, in 
terms of avoiding head and back injuries.  The S/C agreed in 
principle with a UK proposal that lifeboat on-load release gear 
require "passive locking", i.e., if there is a failure of any part 
of the system, or the hook is not completely locked, it will fail 
"safe", or to the closed, locked position under load.  The S/C did 
not agree to a related proposal for phased replacement of all 
existing release gear not complying with the proposed new 
requirement, in view of the wide variety of designs of gear on 
existing ships and the potential impact of implementation of the 
maintenance and testing requirements in MSC.1/Circ.1206 in the 
future.  With regard to mandatory implementation of MSC.1/Circ.1206 
(Annex 1) Guidelines for servicing and maintenance of lifeboats, 
launching appliances and on load release gear, the S/C agreed that 
consistent application of the provisions relating to training and 
certification of servicing personnel and organizations bQe 
manufacturer, and adequate geographical coverage of manufacturers' 
representation, are essential prerequisites.  The S/C established a 
LSA correspondence group, coordinated by the US, to prepare 
appropriate draft amendments to the LSA Code and the Revised 
recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances (resolution 
MSC.81(70)), and to develop guidance, along the lines of Res. 
A.761(18) for inflatable liferafts, for qualification and 
certification of personnel or organizations carrying out work under 
MSC.1/Circ.1206.  The S/C also agreed that ILAMA should report to 
the next session of the S/C on the status of establishment of 
servicing coverage worldwide.  Finally, the S/C developed a new 
functional definition of "unfavourable conditions of trim and list", 
to replace the references in SOLAS Chapter III to 10 degrees of trim 
and 20 degrees of list with regard to the installation and operation 
of various life-saving appliances, for further consideration by the 
LSA correspondence group and by the SLF S/C. 
 
¶12.   Compatibility of life-saving appliances - The S/C agreed that 
the design criteria for davit-launched lifeboats on cargo ships 
should be adjusted to take into account the increasing size of 
seafarers globally.  In considering the impact of immersion suit 
wear on seating capacity in light of a recent casualty, the S/C 
 
LONDON 00001206  003.2 OF 004 
 
 
agreed that guidance should be developed concerning the wearing of 
immersion suits in totally enclosed lifeboats, with regard to the 
risk of dehydration and over-heating.  The S/C referred these 
matters to the LSA correspondence group for further development. 
 
¶13.   Test standards for extended service intervals of inflatable 
liferafts - The S/C referred the matter to an intersessional 
correspondence group under coordination of Denmark to take into 
account wider industry input. 
 
¶14.   Amendments to the Guidelines for ships operating in Arctic 
ice-covered waters - The S/C considered the proposals by the 
Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) to apply the guidelines 
to the Antarctic as well as the Arctic, and agreed that the 
guidelines also needed to be generally updated in order to take into 
account technical developments since their approval in 2002, 
especially with regard to damage stability, double bottoms, and the 
carriage of pollutants in spaces adjacent to the outer hull. 
Additionally, the S/C decided that this update should also consider 
the peculiarities of the Southern hemisphere with regard to 
environmental and port State control issues and take into account 
the IACS Unified Requirements for polar ships and the Finnish ice 
navigation rules.  Additionally, the S/C noted that special 
consideration should be given to passenger ships that only visit the 
Polar Regions in summer. 
 
¶15.   Guidelines for uniform operating limitations of high-speed 
craft - The S/C agreed to establish a correspondence group, to be 
coordinated by Australia, to develop draft guidelines for uniform 
operating limitations of high-speed craft taking into account 
contributions from COMSAR, NAV and SLF. 
 
¶16.   Guidelines for maintenance and repair of protective coatings - 
The S/C noted that in the context of draft amendments to SOLAS 
regulation II-1/3-2 concerning maintenance and repair of protective 
coatings, MSC 81 tasked DE to develop guidelines, and therefore 
established a correspondence group to be coordinated by China to 
consider this item. 
 
¶17.   Requirements and standard for corrosion protection of 
permanent means of access arrangements - The S/C referred this issue 
to the correspondence group that was established to consider the 
item on Guidelines for maintenance and repair of protective 
coatings.  The correspondence group was instructed to give 
recommendations to DE 51 taking into account views expressed in 
plenary. 
 
¶18.   Revision of Resolution A.760(18) - The S/C agreed to forward a 
new infant lifejacket symbol to MSC 83 for approval and circulation 
to members to use in connection with early implementation of 
requirements for carriage of infant lifejackets which will enter 
into force in 2010, and for inclusion in a future amendment to Res. 
A.760(18). 
 
¶19.   Guidelines for the approval of novel life-saving appliances - 
The S/C agreed to refer the issue to the intersessional LSA 
correspondence group for development of guidelines for approval of 
novel life-saving appliances on the basis of Res. A.520(13) as an 
initial working draft. 
 
¶20.   Performance standards for means of recovery - The S/C referred 
the matter to the LSA correspondence group for further consideration 
on the basis of a proposal by Germany for performance-based 
requirements for this functionality, which the MSC intends to be 
applicable to all ships no later than 2012. 
 
¶21.   Review of MEPC.1/Circ.511 and relevant MARPOL Annex I and 
Annex VI requirements - The S/C began review of MEPC.1/Circ.511 and 
relevant MARPOL Annex I and Annex VI requirements concerning 
legislative and implementation aspects related to prevention of 
operational oil pollution from ships, based on a number of 
submissions to MEPC 55.  The S/C agreed to establish a working group 
at the next session and established an intersessional correspondence 
group to be coordinated by Denmark to, among other things: 1) 
develop draft amendments to MARPOL Annex I concerning definitions 
for engine-room bilge water, oil residues (sludge), bilge water 
holding tanks and oil residues (sludge) holding tanks; 2) draft 
amendments to the IOPP Certificate, Forms A and B; 3) draft 
amendments to regulation 16 of MARPOL Annex VI concerning 
incinerator capacity; 4) draft Supplementary Guidelines on approval 
of bilge and sludge handling systems for compliance with the revised 
MARPOL Annex I; and 5) draft amendments to the Revised Guidelines 
for systems for handling oily wastes in machinery spaces of ships 
 
LONDON 00001206  004.2 OF 004 
 
 
(MEPC.1/Circ.511). 
 
¶22.   Applicability of SOLAS II-1/3-6 in the case of single-hull 
tankers converting to double-hull tankers - The S/C noted that MSC 
82 endorsed the view from DE 49 that SOLAS regulation II-1/3-6 
should not apply to tankers converting from single-hull to 
double-hull; however, if, in the course of conversion, substantial 
new structures are added, these new structures should comply with 
the regulation.  For the case of existing tankers converting to 
FPSOs/FSUs, the regulation would not apply.  MSC 82 had also 
instructed the S/C to develop an interpretation of SOLAS regulations 
II-1/1.3 and II-1/3-6.  The S/C gave this item a preliminary review 
and is scheduled to finalize this item at its next session. 
 
¶23.   Chairman/date of next meeting - The S/C unanimously reelected 
Mrs. A. Jost (Germany) as chairman for 2008.  Mrs. Xiang Yang 
(China) was unanimously re-elected as vice chairman.  The 
fifty-first session of the DE S/C is tentatively scheduled for 18-22 
February 2008. 
 
TUTTLE