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Issuing unit (name) Author Approved Date Newsletter number

GCSNO861 Safety Systems OVAAS KAGU 2010-09-28 10-13

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Hull Machinery X Ships CMC X DNV internally
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X Statutory Systematics Plan Approval X SiO/ViO also as Technical Newsletter (DNV Internet)

New requirement for lifejackets to large people

on all ships (passenger ships AND cargo ships)
The purpose of this newsletter is to clarify the new requirements to lifejackets as introduced by IMO
Resolution MSC.201(81). The intention of the new regulation is to provide suitable lifejackets for all persons
on board.

SOLAS Chapter III Regulation 7.2 has been amended with regards to lifejackets for large people (full text
copied below) and the requirements are valid from 1 July 2010. This new requirement applies to all ships
and the owner is responsible to provide sufficient number of large size life jackets and/or suitable
accessories, according to the demographic constellation of the people on board.

Presently it is not totally clear if it’s all ships or all ships constructed on or after 1 July 1998. Formally,
SOLAS Chapter III Regulation 7.2.1.5 wrt large size lifejackets applies to all vessels constructed on or after
1 July 1998 (ref. SOLAS Chapter III Regulation 1.1). However, the Secretariat of IMO has in document DE
54/6 (attached) presented proposals for clarification of the scope of application of the new amendments,
which includes that the requirement to large size lifejackets shall apply to all ships, irrespective of
construction date. Formal acceptance of this document is expected to be given in October 2010.

DNV recommends that the application to all ships (also constructed before 1 July 1998), is followed also
prior to formal acceptance by IMO.

There is no IMO requirement which define how much weight an ordinary adult life jacket shall be able to
handle. User’s size state “43 kg or more” but minimum upper limit is not defined/required. This implies that
present approved adult life jackets may very well handle people up to 140 kg (buoyancy wise). However the
physical size of the life jacket has to be verified to fit large people. Most probably the chest girth of up to
1750 mm is the critical factor. It could well be that an additional extra long belt around the chest, used on an
ordinary adult life jacket, qualifies as suitable accessory in order to comply.

DNV interprets the provision of “suitable accessories” that enable approved adult lifejackets to fit large
persons to be acceptable from a SOLAS point of view.

We welcome your thoughts! Questions and feedback experience.feedback@dnv.com or directly to the Author
Page 1 (2)
 Det Norske Veritas - Classification Support Newsletter

Actions for DNV surveyors

The number of large sized lifejackets and/or accessories is a ship specific and dynamic number.

Until IMO has decided how to report the number of large size lifejackets/accessories, DNV has chosen not to
specify this number in Record of Equipment to PSSC, HSC or CEC.

The surveyor has to check that each vessel has a system ensuring that the vessel is provided with sufficient
number of large size lifejackets and/or suitable accessories.

Full text of SOLAS Chapter III Regulation 7.2.1 as amended by MSC.201(81)

2.1 A lifejacket complying with the requirements of paragraph 2.2.1 or 2.2.2 of the LSA Code shall be
provided for every person on board the ship and, in addition:
.1 for passenger ships on voyages less than 24 h, a number of infant lifejackets equal to at least 2.5%
of the number of passengers on board shall be provided;
.2 for passenger ships on voyages 24 h or greater, infant lifejackets shall be provided for each infant
on board;
.3 a number of lifejackets suitable for children equal to at least 10% of the number of passengers on
board shall be provided or such greater number as may be required to provide a lifejacket for each
child; and
.4 a sufficient number of lifejackets shall be carried for persons on watch and for use at remotely
located survival craft stations. The lifejackets carried for persons on watch should be stowed on the
bridge, in the engine control room and at any other manned watch station; and
.5 if the adult lifejackets provided are not designed to fit persons weighing up to 140 kg and with a
chest girth of up to 1,750 mm, a sufficient number of suitable accessories shall be available on
board to allow them to be secured to such persons.

Extract from LSA Code, Chapter 2.2

2.2.1.2 Lifejackets shall be provided in three sizes in accordance with table 2.1. If a lifejacket fully complies
with the requirements of two adjacent size ranges, it may be marked with both size ranges, but the
specified ranges shall not be divided. Lifejackets shall be marked by either weight or height, or by
both weight and height, according to table 2.1.

Table 2.1 - Lifejacket sizing criteria

Lifejacket marking Infant Child Adult

User’s size:
15 or more but
Weight (kg) Less than 15 43 or more
less than 43
100 or more but
Height (cm) Less than 100 155 or more
less than 155

We welcome your thoughts! Questions and feedback experience.feedback@dnv.com or directly to the Author
Page 2 (2)
 E

SUB-COMMITTEE ON SHIP DESIGN AND DE 54/6

EQUIPMENT 30 July 2010
54th session Original: ENGLISH
Agenda item 6

APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS TO SOLAS CHAPTER III AND THE LSA CODE

Scope of application of amendments to SOLAS chapter III and the LSA Code

Note by the Secretariat

SUMMARY

Executive summary: The document presents proposals for clarification of the scope of
application of amendments to SOLAS chapter III and the LSA Code
adopted at MSC 81, MSC 82, MSC 85 and MSC 87, and for a
relevant draft amendment to the LSA Code

Strategic direction: 2

High-level action: 2.0.1

Planned output: 2.0.1.25

Action to be taken: Paragraph 9

Related documents: DE 53/26, section 19; DE 53/19/2; DE 53/19/1

Background

1 DE 53, when, as instructed by MSC 86, discussing the clarification of the scope of
application of amendments to SOLAS chapter III and the LSA Code, together with several
submissions on the matter, agreed that such clarification would be useful and noted various
options for effecting it. The Sub-Committee also agreed that only the entry-into-force date
references to SOLAS should be based on the date on construction, while the entry-into-force
date references to the LSA Code should generally be based on the date of installation on
board of the LSA equipment (DE 53/26, paragraph 19.5).

2 In order to resolve the matter for already adopted amendments to SOLAS chapter III
and the LSA Code, DE 53 requested the Secretariat to update the list contained in annex 1
to document DE 53/19/2 (IACS), in cooperation with IACS, as appropriate, in the light of the
discussions and submit the updated list to this session.

3 Furthermore, noting that the same problems should be solved for a number of other
amendments to SOLAS and related Codes and that a general solution of the problem was
necessary, DE 53 invited the Committee to decide which Sub-Committee should consider this
matter further in a holistic manner. Consequently, MSC 87 instructed the FSI Sub-Committee
to consider the matter.

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Page 2

Scope of application of already adopted amendments to SOLAS chapter III and the
LSA Code

4 As requested, the Secretariat reviewed the list attached at annex 1 to document

DE 53/19/2, which addressed the scope of application of amendments to SOLAS chapter III
and the LSA Code adopted at MSC 81, MSC 82 and MSC 85. The intention was to clarify,
taking into account the relevant decision of DE 53 as outlined in paragraph 1:

.1 to which ships (date of construction) the SOLAS amendments would apply;

and

.2 to which LSA equipment (date of installation on board) the LSA Code

amendments would apply.

5 An accordingly updated and revised list, also including the amendments to the
LSA Code adopted at MSC 87 by resolution MSC.293(87), is set out in annex 1 for the
consideration of the Sub-Committee and, if agreed, possible distribution in the form of an
MSC circular.

6 In this connection, the attention of the Sub-Committee is also drawn to SOLAS

regulation III/1.4.2 which requires with regard to the replacement of LSA:

"4 For ships constructed before 1 July 1998, the Administration shall:

.1 ...

.2 ensure that when life-saving appliances or arrangements on such

ships are replaced or such ships undergo repairs, alterations or
modifications of a major character which involve replacement of, or
any addition to, their existing life-saving appliances or
arrangements, such life-saving appliances or arrangements, in so
far as is reasonable and practicable, comply with the requirements
of this chapter. However, if a survival craft other than an inflatable
liferaft is replaced without replacing its launching appliance, or vice
versa, the survival craft or launching appliance may be of the same
type as that replaced."

7 It is noted that the above does not address the question of replacement/substitution
during the servicing of LSA and the Sub-Committee may wish to consider whether a
clarification of this particular matter is necessary.

Proposed amendment to the LSA Code to clarify the scope of application of

amendments

8 In order to resolve the matter of the scope of application for future amendments to
the LSA Code, it is suggested that a new section 1.2 on Application is included in chapter I of
the Code. Proposed draft text is set out in annex 2.

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Page 3

Action requested of the Sub-Committee

9 The Sub-Committee is invited to:

.1 consider the scope of application of amendments to SOLAS chapter III and

the LSA Code adopted at MSC 81, MSC 82, MSC 85 and MSC 87
(paragraphs 4 and 5 and annex 1);

.2 consider whether the question of replacement/substitution during the

servicing of LSA needs to be addressed (paragraph 7);

.3 consider the proposed draft amendment to the LSA Code, concerning the
scope of application of amendments to the Code (paragraph 8 and annex 2);
and

.4 take action on the above as deemed appropriate.

***

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 DE 54/6
Annex 1, page 1

ANNEX 1

SCOPE OF APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS TO SOLAS CHAPTER III AND THE

LSA CODE ADOPTED AT MSC 81, MSC 82 AND MSC 85

Regulation or Amendments Amendments should Remarks

chapter adopted by apply to:
resolution:
SOLAS chapter III

6.4.3 MSC.216(82), All ships. Requirement was moved

annex 1 from paragraph 7.2.1.1 of
the LSA Code to SOLAS
chapter III and therefore has
no practical consequences.
7.2.1.1/7.2.1.2 MSC.201(81) All passenger ships. Infant lifejackets
(MSC.1/Circ.1304).
7.2.1.5 All ships. Large size lifejackets.
11.7 All ships. No practical consequence of
new requirement.
14.1 All ships that have a
SOLAS designated rescue
boat of the inflatable type.
19.3.3.4 All ships.
MSC.216(82),
20.4 All ships.
annex 1
21.1.3 All passenger ships. Donning of lifejackets.
21.2.3 Passenger ships Lifeboat is also acceptable
constructed on or as rescue boat provided it
after 1 July 1986. and its launching appliance
meet rescue boat
requirements.
26.3.1 All ships. These requirements were
moved from SOLAS
26.3.2
chapter III to the LSA Code
and therefore have no
practical consequences.
31.1 All ships. Side-to-side transfer.
31.2 All ships. See remarks to regulation
21.2.3 above.
32.3.2 All cargo ships.
32.3.3 All cargo ships.
35.5 All ships.

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Annex 1, page 2

Regulation or Amendments Amendments should Remarks

chapter adopted by apply to:
resolution:
LSA Code

Chapter I All LSA installed

MSC.207(81)
on board ships on
Chapter II or after 1 July 2010.
Chapter I
All LSA installed
Chapter IV
on board ships on
MSC.218(82)
Chapter V or after 1 July 2008.
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter IV All LSA installed
MSC.272(85)
on board ships on
Chapter V
or after 1 July 2010.
Chapter IV MSC.293(87) All LSA installed
on board ships on
or after 1 Jan 2012.

***

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 DE 54/6
Annex 2, page 1

ANNEX 2

PROPOSED DRAFT AMENDMENT TO THE LSA CODE

Chapter I
General

1 A new section 1.2 is inserted after existing section 1.1 as follows, and existing
section 1.2 and its paragraphs are renumbered accordingly:

"1.2 Application

1.2.1 This Code is applicable to life-saving appliances as referred to in chapter III

of the Convention.

1.2.2 Unless expressly provided otherwise, this Code is applicable to life-saving

appliances installed on board ships on or after 1 July 1998.

1.2.3 However, amendments to the Code adopted after 1 July 1998 shall, unless
expressly provided otherwise, only apply to life-saving appliances installed on board
ships on or after the date of entry into force of such amendments."

___________

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