ICS Produces Guidelines for IMO Regulation

Guidelines helping shipowners comply with a new International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulation, requiring ship-specific planned procedure for recovering individuals from the water, have been launched by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).

Under the new SOLAS Regulation, effective July 1, all ships are required to develop plans and procedures that identify the equipment used for recovery purposes and measures to minimise the risks for shipboard personnel involved in recovery operations.

ICS Marine Director, John Murray, explained: “This guidance outlines practical steps that shipowners and operators may wish to consider when developing the necessary plans and procedures, including advice that existing on board equipment may be identified as suitable for the recovery of persons from the water.  In the majority of cases, the carriage of additional dedicated equipment will probably be unnecessary.”

The ICS Guidelines, which are intended to be read alongside guidance by IMO, include an example plan and procedure setting out how a company might document its strategy for potential recovery operations.

Murray said, “Although the requirement for ship-specific plans and procedures is new, once prepared the documents can be considered as part of the Safety Management System.”