Amongst many other matters, IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) meeting at the Organization's London HQ for its 92nd session adopted SOLAS amendments, & discussed recommendations arising from the 'Costa Condordia' accident.
Passenger drill amendments adopted
The MSC adopted amendments SOLAS regulation III/19 to require musters of newly embarked passengers prior to or immediately upon departure, instead of “within 24 hours”, as stated in the current regulations. The amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2015.
Interim measures for passenger ships updated in wake of Costa Concordia recommendations
Following discussion in an MSC working group on passenger ships safety, the Committee approved revised Recommended interim measures for passenger ship companies to enhance the safety of passenger ships (to be issued as MSC.1/Circ.1446/Rev.2), to include new recommendations relating to harmonization of bridge navigational procedures across a fleet or fleets; securing of heavy objects (procedures to ensure securing of heavy objects to be incorporated into the safety management system); stowage of life-jackets (including stowage of additional life jackets near muster stations); extending the use of video for passenger emergency instruction notices; and following voyage planning guidance in the case of any deviation.
On specific matters relating to the recommendations arising from the investigation into the Costa Concordia, the MSC invited Italy to provide more information regarding the recommendation for double-skin for protecting watertight compartments containing equipment; endorsed the view that the role of shoreside management is critical to the proper development and function of an effective Safety Management System; and invited Member States to consider the mandatory application of evacuation analysis to non ro-ro passenger ships.
Meanwhile, the MSC invited further consideration of the Costa Concordia accident investigation report by the Flag State Implementation Sub-Committee, and invited detailed comments and proposals to be submitted to the next MSC session.
The MSC also revised and updated the long term action plan on passenger ship safety.