New international regulations require voyage plan

Created by doina. Last modified on 2002-10-17 21:07:46
Contributors: Val Ellis, Noonsite Editor,
Topic: Safety

It is in the interests of all sailors to know that new international SOLAS regulations came into force on July 1st 2002 and for the first time some of the regulations apply to ALL boats (not just those over 150 grt as before). The one which particularly affects cruising sailors, is the requirement to have a passage plan. The United Kingdom Maritime and Coastguard Agency have said (for the UK at least) that the degree of detail and amount of formal planning expected, is related to the type of passage and size of boat. It seems that, already, boats have been checked that they had such a plan when they arrive at a port. Yachting magazines have advised that if you do not have a plan, and you are subsequently involved in a safety "incident", then the skipper is in a very vulnerable legal situation.

The other requirement is to carry a card showing the various emergency/distress signals as set out by the new regulation SOLAS V/29

The text of these regulations is as follows (for further information, see the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency website, http://www.mcga.gov.uk )

Regulation 34

situations Summary

· Voyage planning is required on all vessels which go to sea.

· Master to ensure plan is drawn up.

· Details of factors to take into account.

· Master's discretion in decision-making not to be compromised.

Text

1. Prior to proceeding to sea, the master shall ensure that the intended voyage has been planned using the appropriate nautical charts and nautical publications for the area concerned, taking into account the guidelines and recommendations developed by the Organization. (Refer to the Guidelines for Voyage Planning, adopted by the Organization by Resolution A.893(21) )

2. The voyage plan shall identify a route which:

   1. takes into account any relevant ships' routeing systems

   2. ensures sufficient sea room for the safe passage of the ship throughout the voyage

   3. anticipates all known navigational hazards and adverse weather conditions; and

   4. takes into account the marine environmental protection measures that apply, and avoids, as far as possible, actions and activities which could cause damage to the environment.

3. The owner, the charterer, or the company, as defined in regulation IX/1, operating the ship or any other person shall not prevent or restrict the master of the ship from taking or executing any decision which, in the master's professional judgement, is necessary for safe navigation and protection of the marine environment.

Guidance Notes

1. Reg. 34 applies to all ships which proceed to sea.

2. This is a new Regulation. Paragraph 3 replaces and revises SOLAS V/74 Regulation 10.2 (Master's discretion for safe navigation.)

3. The Regulation requires the voyage to be planned in accordance with the IMO Guidelines for Voyage Planning - Resolution A.893(21) (issued as SN/Circ.92) The Regulation authorises the Master to take voyage planning decisions for safety or environmental reasons. It further prevents the owner, charterer or company (as defined in the ISM Code) from over-ruling any such decision. The Regulation together with the IMO Guidelines and these Guidance Notes supersede MGN 72 and MGN 166.

4. It is important to note that Regulation 34 makes a properly prepared voyage plan mandatory and the plan is liable to be checked during port State control inspections.

5. Small vessels and pleasure craft - Regulation 34 applies to all vessels. For small vessels and pleasure-craft the degree of voyage planning will be depend upon the size of vessel, its crew and the length of the voyage. The MCA expects all mariners to make a careful assessment of any proposed voyage taking into account all dangers to navigation, weather forecasts, tidal predictions and other relevant factors including the competence of the crew.

6. Paragraph 3 ensures the master has absolute discretion to take decisions in the interests of safe navigation and or protection of the marine environment. The definition of the word "Company" is the one used in SOLAS Chapter IX/1: "Company" means the owner of the ship or any other organization or person such as the manager, or the bareboat charterer, who has assumed the responsibility for operation of the ship and who on assuming such responsibility has agreed to take over all the duties and responsibilities imposed by the International Safety Management Code."

SUMMARY

. Table of international life-saving signals to be available to OOW.

. Signals to be used when communicating with SAR units.

TEXT

An illustrated table describing the life-saving signals shall be readily available to the officer of the watch of every ship to which this chapter applies. The signals shall be used by ships or persons in distress when communicating with life-saving stations, maritime rescue units and aircraft engaged in search and rescue operations.

Such life-saving signals are described in the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual Vol.III, Mobile Facilitie, and illustrated in the International Code of Signals, as amended pursuant to resolution A.80(IV).

Guidance Notes

1. This Regulation applies to all vessels. The signals are to be used by any ship or person in distress, when communicating with SAR units. It is therefore important that mariners, whether engaged in commercial or leisure activities, are familiar with them.

2. The table of life-saving signals is to be displayed prominently on the ship's bridge and officers are to be familiar with the signals and ensure that they are correctly used in distress situations.

3. The MCA encourages all organisations concerned with small craft to ensure that their members are made aware of the international lifesaving signals and that copies of the signals are made available to them.