IMO: new requirements for ventilation of survival craft

The International Maritime Organization has issued a document that provides information on the outcome of SSE 9 and MSC 107 on the ventilation of partially enclosed lifeboats and liferafts.

Document SSE 10/3 (Sub-committee on ship systems and equipment, 10th session, agenda item 3) was released on 7 November 2023. SSE 10 will be held from 04 - 08 March 2024.

Consideration of the matter at SSE 9

The Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE), at its ninth session, considered the compelling need for ventilation requirements for partially enclosed lifeboats and liferafts.

Having noted split views, the Sub-Committee agreed that (SSE 9/20, paragraph 3.6):

.1 more discussion was required on the compelling need for partially enclosed lifeboats and liferafts; and
.2 the draft amendments for totally enclosed lifeboats should be finalized at that session, for timely entry into force of the draft amendments, following their expected adoption at MSC 107.

Therefore, the Sub-Committee agreed to keep the agenda item on the provisional agenda of this session for further discussion on the compelling need, and deferred the consideration of the specific proposals suggesting amendments to the LSA Code and the Revised recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances (resolution MSC.81(70)) for partially enclosed lifeboats and liferafts in documents SSE 9/3/3 (India), SSE 9/3/5 (India), and relevant part of SSE 9/3/6 (China), to this session, together with any other relevant submissions to be made (SSE 9/20, paragraph 3.7).

Consideration of the matter at MSC 107

MSC 107 noted SSE 9's discussion on the compelling need for ventilation requirements for liferafts and partially enclosed lifeboats; and in relation to totally enclosed lifeboats (MSC 107/20, paragraphs 3.74, 3.86 and 14.5):

.1 Adopted resolution MSC.535(107) containing amendments to the LSA Code.
.2 Approved MSC.1/Circ.1630/Rev.2 on Revised standardized life-saving appliance evaluation and test report forms (survival craft).
.3 Approved draft amendments to paragraph 6.2.3 of the Requirements for maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear (resolution MSC.402(96)), with a view to adoption at MSC 108.

Action requested of the Sub-Committee

The Sub-Committee is invited to note the information above and, in light of the decisions of SSE 9, consider:

Any compelling need for ventilation requirements for partially enclosed lifeboats and liferafts, for inclusion in both the LSA Code and resolution MSC.81(70).
Consequential amendments to the Revised standardized test report forms for survival craft (MSC.1/Circ.1630/Rev.2),

and take action, as appropriate.

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):