MSC.1/Circ.1285

UNIFIED INTERPRETATION OF SOLAS REGULATION III/16.1

(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 regarding the means to be provided to allow controlled descent/safe access (e.g., via an embarkation ladder) of persons into liferafts on ships that are not required to have launching and embarkation appliances under SOLAS regulation III/16.1 (e.g., cargo ships with a length less than 85 m), approved an interpretation of SOLAS regulation III/16.1, as set out in the annex.

 

2. Member Governments are invited to use the annexed unified interpretation as guidance when applying relevant provisions of SOLAS chapter III and to bring it to the attention of all parties concerned.

 

Annex.

UNIFIED INTERPRETATION OF SOLAS REGULATION III/6.1

 

Regulation III/16.1.
Survival craft launching and recovery arrangements

 

Ships as defined in SOLAS regulation III/31.1.3 which are fitted with non-davit launched liferafts as per SOLAS regulation III/16.1 should be provided with an embarkation ladder at each side of the ship.