INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION E IMO SUB-COMMITTEE ON SAFETY OF NAVIGATION 52nd session Agenda item 14 NAV 52/WP.2 17 July 2006 Original: ENGLISH CONSIDERATION OF IACS UNIFIED INTERPRETATIONS Draft MSC circulars relating to Unified Interpretations (UI) of COLREGs 1972, as amended and SOLAS chapter V Note by the Chairman 1 Attached at annex 1 and annex 2 are two draft MSC circulars relating to Unified Interpretations (UI) of COLREGs 1972, as amended and SOLAS chapter V for consideration. Action requested of the Sub-Committee 2 The Sub-Committee is invited to consider the draft MSC circulars and forward them to the Committee for approval. *** For reasons of economy, this document is printed in a limited number. Delegates are kindly asked to bring their copies to meetings and not to request additional copies.
ANNEX 1 DRAFT MSC CIRCULAR UNIFIED INTERPRETATIONS OF COLREGs 1972 1 The Maritime Safety Committee, [at its eighty-second session (29 November to 8 December 2006)], with a view to providing more specific guidance for certain Rules, which are open to different interpretations contained in IMO instruments, approved the unified interpretations of COLREGs prepared by the Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation, as set out in the annex. 2 Member Governments are invited to use the annexed unified interpretations as guidance when applying relevant provisions of COLREGs to ships on or after [1 July 2006] and to bring the unified interpretations to the attention of all parties concerned.
ANNEX 1 Page 2 ANNEX UNIFIED INTERPRETATIONS OF COLREGs 1972[, AS AMENDED] Rule 23(a) Power-driven vessels underway Navigation lights (masthead light(s), sidelights and sternlight) installed on board shall be duplicated or shall be fitted with duplicate lamps. Rule 27(b)(i) Vessels not under command or restricted in their ability to manoeuvre Not under command (NUC) all-round red lights (Rule 27(a)(ii) may be used as part of the Restricted Ability to Manoeuvre (RAM) lights provided the vertical and horizontal distances required by COLREG 1972 are complied with and the electrical system is arranged so that the all-round white light (RAM) may be switched on independently from the two all-round red lights (NUC). Annex I, Section 3(b) Horizontal positioning and spacing of lights The term near the side is interpreted as being a distance of not more than 10% of the breadth of the vessel inboard from the side, up to a maximum of 2 metres. Where the application of above requirement is impractical (e.g. small ships with superstructure of reduced width) exemption may be given on the basis of the Flag Authority acceptance. Annex I, Section 9(b) Horizontal sectors In order to comply with the 1 mile requirement in 9(b)(ii), the all-round lights shall be screened less than 180 degrees. However, as a light source is not a point but has a certain extension, it may be accepted that all-round lights are screened up to 180 degrees. Screening details are to be considered by Societies when carrying out the drawing approval process. ***
ANNEX 2 DRAFT MSC CIRCULAR UNIFIED INTERPRETATIONS OF SOLAS CHAPTER V 1 The Maritime Safety Committee, [at its eighty-second session (29 November to 8 December 2006)], with a view to providing more specific guidance for vague expressions such as other means, which are open to different interpretations contained in IMO instruments, approved the unified interpretations of SOLAS chapter V prepared by the Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation, as set out in the annex. 2 Member Governments are invited to use the annexed unified interpretations as guidance when applying relevant provisions of SOLAS chapter V to construction, installation, arrangements and equipment to be installed on board ships on or after [1 July 2006] and to bring the unified interpretations to the attention of all parties concerned.
ANNEX 2 Page 2 ANNEX UNIFIED INTERPRETATIONS OF SOLAS CHAPTER V Regulation V/19.2.5.1 Shipborne navigational equipment and systems A gyrocompass can be fitted, as the other means mentioned in regulation V/19.2.2.1, to comply with that regulation. However, this gyrocompass: - cannot be credited to fulfil regulation V/19.2.5.1; and - shall be fed by both main and emergency power supply and, in addition, it shall be provided with a transitional source of power (e.g. a battery).