Noting the work its Members undertake in verifying the global and consistent implementation of IMO agreed requirements on behalf of the IMO Member States (in their capacities as Recognized Organizations), and to facilitate clarity for all industry stakeholders, IACS has submitted, or co-sponsored, papers on the following issues to MSC 100:
In relation to the ongoing work to update the International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections during Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers (ESP Code), paper MSC 100/3/2, provides a number of proposals to ‘editorially correct’ the text that was approved at MSC 99, and is before MSC 100 with a view to its adoption. These proposals are based on a significant piece of work that IACS has undertaken, in collaboration with the IMO Secretariat, to prepare a new consolidated text of the Code for adoption at the IMO Assembly meeting that will be held at the end of 2019.
Regarding the Goal Based Standards (GBS) verification audit scheme for bulk carriers and oil tankers, IACS has submitted paper MSC 100/6/10 that provides Corrective/Improvement Actions Plans, which have been developed by IACS in response to the findings identified during the first GBS maintenance of verification audit. IACS has also submitted paper MSC 100/6/9, which provides information and comments to facilitate the Committee’s consideration of documents MSC 100/6/4, MSC 100/6/6 and MSC 100/6/8 – especially in relation to process issues related to the outcome of GBS Verification Audits.
MSC 100 will consider draft amendments to paragraph 6.1.1.3 of the LSA Code to allow hand-operated mechanisms to launch small rescue boats that are not part of the ship’s survival craft. In this regard, IACS has submitted paper MSC 100/9/9, which seeks clarification on the acceptable means for bringing the rescue boat against the ship’s side. The IACS paper also offers the view that the application of this draft amendment to the LSA Code should only apply to the equipment certified on or after the date the amendment will enter into force.
Paper MSC 100/19/8 discusses moves towards a fully independent, international quality assessment review body for the IACS Quality System Certification Scheme (QSCS) by means of an initial trial of an International Quality Assessment Review Body (IQARB). The paper proposes that the Committee should endorse the active participation of the IMO Secretariat in the trial phase and the hosting of IQARB meetings by IMO (noting that there would be no financial implications on the regular budget of the Organization).
Any enquiries on the above should be sent to Paul Sadler, IACS Accredited Representative to IMO, at permsec@iacs.org.uk