Office Of The Federal Register Public Inspection Desk News

The U.S. Coast Guard announced that it has submitted a Federal Register notice to the marine community containing guidance on new International Maritime Organization measures. These new measures require that all tank ships subject to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention carrying Annex I cargoes and all ships using Annex I marine fuels have Material Safety Data Sheets aboard. This Safety of Life at Sea Convention requirement will become effective January 1, 2011. It does not apply to inland barges or any other ship not subject to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention. After January 1, 2011, nations party to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention can be expected to verify that ships subject to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention have Material Safety Data Sheets as required.