RMRS: Application of Provisions of Chapter IV of the SOLAS

The Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RMRS) has issued revised Guidelines on the Application of Provisions of Chapter IV of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, SOLAS 74.

This document was published on January 1st, 2023, and came into force on the same date.

The resolutions and circulars of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and unified interpretations (UI) of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) have been taken into consideration.

For ships to which SOLAS 74 as amended is applicable, it is recommended to apply these Guidelines in addition to the mandatory and applicable provisions of SOLAS 74 as amended.

The Guidelines are intended for RS surveyors, designers, ship crews, shipowners, and other interested parties.

These Guidelines are prepared based on the provisions of IMO Circular COMSAR/Circ.32 "Harmonization of GMDSS Requirements for Radio Installations on Board SOLAS Ships" dated 16 August 2004, taking into account amendments to chapter IV of SOLAS 74 adopted by subsequent resolutions, including MSC.436(99) of 24 May 2018.

IMO COMSAR/Circ.32 was developed in order to provide Administrations, ship owners, and radio equipment manufacturers with an unambiguous interpretation of the radio installation requirements in SOLAS chapter IV and adopted IMO resolutions.

The Guidelines also make references to IMO resolutions and circulars, the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (hereinafter referred to as "STCW Convention"), and Radio Regulations of the International Telecommunication Union.

The core elements of this document give Guidelines on GMDSS installations on board ships.

The Guidelines use the terms, definitions, and abbreviations adopted in the text of SOLAS, IMO publications, and Radio Regulations, as well as in Appendix 4.

Application

Radio equipment installed on ships that fall under SOLAS requirements (hereinafter referred to as SOLAS ships) shall meet the relevant IMO requirements and ITU recommendations and shall be of a type approved by the Administration of the ship's flag.

These Guidelines are applicable when installing GMDSS radio equipment on board ships, high-speed craft (as prescribed in the HSC Code), and mobile offshore drilling units (as prescribed in the MODU Code).

Cargo ships of less than 300 gross tonnage (gt) and fishing/catching vessels are not covered by SOLAS requirements.

However, if such ships/vessels are going to install GMDSS radio equipment, these Guidelines shall be followed as far as practicable.

These Guidelines reflect, to a large extent, unambiguous requirements in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations (refer to 1.2).

Other practical installation solutions than the ones emerging from these Guidelines may, however, be accepted as long as the international requirements, as laid down in the SOLAS Convention, etc., are met and the installation is considered to be equivalent.

If the Maritime Administration (MA) of the ship's flag gives additional instructions on the application of the provisions of SOLAS chapter IV, then in case of discrepancy with the provisions of these Guidelines, the instructions of the MA of the ship's flag shall be applied.

Note: The recognized companies which install the radio equipment shall be responsible for giving the radio operators proper familiarisation in the use of the installed equipment before it is put into operation.