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Ref. T2-OSS/2.7.1 SN.1/Circ.295

7 December 2010

GUIDELINES FOR SAFETY ZONES AND SAFETY OF NAVIGATION AROUND

OFFSHORE INSTALLATIONS AND STRUCTURES

1 The Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation (NAV), at its fifty-sixth session

(26 to 30 July 2010), agreed on Guidelines for safety zones and safety of navigation around
offshore installations and structures, for increasing awareness of the availability and best use of
existing routeing measures for the safety of both navigation and artificial islands, installations or
structures.

2 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its eighty-eighth session (24 November

to 3 December 2010), approved the circulation of the attached guidelines for safety zones and
safety of navigation around offshore installations and structures.

3 Member Governments are invited to bring the information to the attention of all parties
concerned.

***

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Annex, page 1

ANNEX

GUIDELINES FOR SAFETY ZONES AND SAFETY OF NAVIGATION AROUND

OFFSHORE INSTALLATIONS AND STRUCTURES

1 Some offshore artificial islands, installations or structures are complex systems that
present particular challenges for safe navigation. These artificial islands, installations or
structures are such that navigation around them creates concern about the safety of personnel
and the risk of serious damage to offshore installations or structures, vessels and the
environment in the event of a collision.

2 Any features of a sufficiently permanent nature of offshore artificial islands, installations

or structures should be shown on all appropriate navigational charts.

3 Related documents:

- Resolution A.671(16) provides guidance on safety zones and safety of navigation

around offshore installations and structures.

- Resolution A.572(14), as amended, establishes the General Provisions on Ships'

Routeing.

- Resolution A.857(20) establishes guidelines for vessel traffic services.

- Resolution A.893(21) establishes guidelines for voyage planning when

approaching artificial islands, installations and structures.

4 In order to enhance both the safety of navigation and of these artificial islands,
installations or structures as well as the safety of personnel:

.1 Governments are requested to:

.1 implement the recommendations in resolution A.671(16);

.2 take appropriate measures to ensure navigation charts clearly reflect

the location and projected swing or movement, if any, with the wind
and seas of Floating Production Storage Offloading units (FPSOs),
including their connected associated and necessary structures,
installations, vessels, shuttle tankers and/or tugs in its operations,
and other similarly situated installations or structures, that rotate
around a fixed mooring;

.3 adopt as standard representation on navigation charts the legends,

symbols and notes recommended by the International Hydrographic
Organization for the designation of safety zones around offshore
artificial islands, structures or installations including their connected
associated and necessary operational arrangements mentioned in
paragraph 4.1.2 above, as guidance for the representation of details
of safety zones established in accordance with international law;

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.4 consider as standard representation on navigation charts, the use of

appropriate area legends, symbols and notes, such as "development
areas" and "anchors and cables", recommended by the International
Hydrographic Organization, as a warning to mariners navigating in
the vicinity of offshore resource and exploitation areas;

.5 include a cautionary or explanatory note on navigation charts

depicting the location of safety zones established in accordance with
international law;

.6 consider and propose to the Organization those routeing measures

that, in combination with duly established safety zones around
offshore artificial islands, structures or installations, will enhance the
safety both of navigation and of the artificial island, structure or
installation, particularly those that are complex systems; and

.7 if circumstances permit, consider holding consultation with all

stakeholders with respect to safety of navigation.

.2 Flag States are requested to:

.1 take all necessary steps to ensure that, unless specifically

authorized, ships flying their flag observe any coastal State's
conditions for entry into and/or navigation within duly established
safety zones; and

.2 draw the attention of seafarers to the need to navigate with extreme

caution, including taking all necessary measures in regard to voyage
planning required by SOLAS regulation V/34 and make timely radio
contact with the offshore artificial islands, installations or structures,
associated vessel traffic services and other vessels in the area, if an
infringement of the safety zone cannot be avoided.

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