Oct. 13 2021

Class & statutory

Report of MSC 104 meeting - 4 to 8 October 2021

MSC 104 Has adopted amendments to chapters II and III of annex I of annex B to the 1988 Load Lines Protocol and to the IGC Code, and various resolution on VDR and EPIRBs. It had also approved Model Regulations on Domestic Ferry Safety.

The MSC 104 which was held last week was before a whole transitional meeting intended to deal with the issues which had not been addressed during the MSC 102 and MSC 103.

MSC 104 Has adopted :

  • MSC.xxx on amendments to chapters II and III of annex I of annex B to the 1988 Load Lines Protocol ;
  • MSC.xxx on amendments to the IGC Code ;
  • MSC.xxx (104) on Amendments to the Performance standards for shipborne simplified voyage data recorders (S-VDRs) (resolution MSC.163(78), as amended);
  • MSC.xxx (104) on Amendments to the Performance standards for shipborne voyage data recorders (VDRs) (resolution MSC.333(90));
  • MSC.1/Circ.1039/Rev.1 on Guidelines for shore-based maintenance of emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs);
  • MSC.1/Circ.1040/Rev.2 on Guidelines on annual testing of emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) ;.

 It has approved :

  • Model Regulations on Domestic Ferry Safety ;
  • 1/Circ.xxx on Recognition of the Japanese Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), as a component of the Worldwide Radionavigation System ;
  • draft amendments to SOLAS chapters II-1, III, IV and V and consequential amendments to the 1988 SOLAS Protocol and the 1994 and 2000 HSC Codes, for adoption at MSC 105 ;
  • 11 draft MSC resolutions, for adoption at MSC 105 ;
  • draft MSC-MEPC.5 circular on Model agreement for the authorization of recognized organizations acting on behalf of the Administration, subject to MEPC's concurrent decision.

 MSC 104 also :

  • confirmed that the non-conformities of IACS common structural rules identified during the first GBS maintenance audit in 2018 had been duly rectified ;
  • requested the IMO Secretariat to update the industry guidance listed in paragraph 4.2 of MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3/Rev.1 to include the IAPH Cybersecurity Guidelines for Ports and Port Facilities ;
  • agreed to include a new output on "Development of guidance on assessments and applications of remote surveys, ISM Code audits and ISPS Code verifications";
  • agreed to include in the biennial agenda of the Committee for 2022-2023 and the provisional agenda for MSC 105 a new output on "Development of a goal-based instrument for maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS)".