MSC.1/Circ.1284

UNIFIED INTERPRETATIONS OF SOLAS REGULATIONS II-1/1.3 AND II-1/3-6

(11 December 2008)

 

 

1. The Maritime Safety Committee, at its eighty-fifth session (26 November to 5 December 2008), with a view to providing guidance on the application of SOLAS regulation II-1/1.3, concerning the term "repairs, alterations and modifications of a major character", and of SOLAS regulation II-1/3-6 concerning the applicability of the regulation to single-hull tankers being converted to double-hull tankers and the term "substantial new structures", agreed to the interpretations of SOLAS regulations II-1/1.3 and II-1/3-6 as set out in the annex.

 

2. Member Governments are invited to use the annexed interpretations as guidance when applying relevant provisions of SOLAS chapter II-1 and to bring them to the attention of all parties concerned.

 

Annex.

UNIFIED INTERPRETATIONS OF SOLAS REGULATIONS II-1/1.3 AND II-1/3-6

 

Regulation II-1/1.3.
Application

 

1. Conversions of single-hull tankers to double-hull tankers are regarded as modifications of a major character for the purposes of SOLAS chapter II-1.

 

2. Repairs, alterations and modifications of a major character should include:

 

.1 Substantial alteration of the dimensions of a ship, for example:

 

Lengthening of a ship by adding a new midbody. The new midbody should comply with SOLAS chapter II-1.