MSC.1/Circ.1290

UNIFIED INTERPRETATION OF THE TERM "FIRST SURVEY" REFERRED TO IN SOLAS REGULATIONS

(16 December 2008)

 

 

1. The Maritime Safety Committee, at its eighty-fifth session (26 November to 5 December 2008), following the recommendations made by the Sub-Committee on Flag State Implementation at its sixteenth session, approved the unified interpretation of the term "first survey" referred to in SOLAS regulations, as set out in the annex, with a view to ensuring a uniform approach towards the use of the above term.

 

2. Member Governments are invited to use the annexed interpretation when applying relevant provisions of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, as amended, and to bring it to the attention of all parties concerned.

 

3. This circular supersedes MSC/Circ.1141.

 

Annex.

UNIFIED INTERPRETATION OF THE TERM "FIRST SURVEY" REFERRED TO IN SOLAS REGULATIONS

 

1. Unless indicated otherwise, when the term "first survey" is referenced by a regulation in the 1974 SOLAS Convention, as amended, it means the first annual survey, the first periodical survey or the first renewal survey whichever is due first after the date specified in the relevant regulation or any other survey if the Administration deems it to be reasonable and practicable, taking into account the extent of repairs and alterations being undertaken.

 

2. For a ship under construction, where the keel is laid before, but the ship is delivered after, the date specified in the relevant regulation, the initial survey is the "first survey".