Dec. 19 2019

Class & statutory

NEW REQUIREMENTS OF DAMAGE CONTROL DRILLS FOR PASSENGER SHIPS - ENTRY INTO FORCE 1 JANUARY 2020

SOLAS regulation II-1/19-1 and III/37.3, regarding damage control drills

SOLAS Chapter II-1 and III on damage control drills for passenger ships, require damage control drills to take place on all passenger ships from 2020. Res. MSC.421(98)

 

Amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-1 and III on damage control drills for passenger ships enter into force on 1 January 2020 and apply to all passenger ships (i.e. passenger ships constructed before, on or after 1 January 2020)

 

SOLAS Chapter II-1 as amended by res. Res. MSC.421(98) require damage control drills to take place on all passenger ships from 2020. Among others, new SOLAS regulation II-1/19-1, requires that:

- A damage control drill shall take place at least every three months (by crew members with damage control responsibilities)

- the on board damage stability computer, if fitted, is to be used to conduct stability assessments for the simulated damage conditions.

- the establishment of the communications link between the ship and shore-based support, if provided;

- at least one damage control drill each year shall include activation of the shore-based support, if provided in compliance with regulation II-1/8-1.3, to conduct stability assessments for the simulated damage conditions.

 

Each Damage control drill shall be duly recorded in the log book (in the same manner as prescribed for the other drills in regulation III/19.5)

 

SOLAS amendments also add a new provision to regulation III/37.3 requiring the assignment of crew damage control duties to the muster list.

 

Owners and managers are invited to take all appropriate actions including the revision of their procedures, instructions and muster list in due time.