Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), 90th session

Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), 90th session concluded on 25th May 2012. Many important decisions were made such as on Piracy and armed robbery against ships, Passenger ship safety, Adoption of SOLAS amendments, Adoption of Load Lines amendments, Adoption of amendments to Codes mandatory under the SOLAS Convention, LRIT status, etc.

Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), 90th session ( Photo credit www.imo.org )
Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), 90th session ( Photo credit http://www.imo.org )

Under amendments to Codes mandatory under the SOLAS Convention below were accepted

• International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft, 2000 (2000 HSC Code), relating to radiocommunication, on testing of satellite EPIRBs.

• International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code), relating to fixed foam fire extinguishing systems; and automatic sprinkler, fire detection and fire alarm systems.

International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code and supplements (amendment 36-12), including harmonization of the Code with the amendments to the UN Recommendations on the transport of dangerous goods, seventeenth revised edition. Amendment 36-12 will enter into force on 1 January 2014, but Contracting Governments may apply the aforementioned amendments in whole or in part on a voluntary basis from 1 January 2013.

These amendments will enter into force from 1st January 2014.

E.P.I.R.B

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is an integral part of Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). These beacons when operated will send distress signals to Rescue Coordination Centers (RCC) via polar orbiting COSPAS-SARSAT Satellites. EPIRB is a mandatory requirement as per SOLAS regulations.

Overview diagram of EPIRB/COSPAS-SARSAT commun...
Overview diagram of EPIRB/COSPAS-SARSAT communication system (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Fitted on board a vessel the beacon will automatically release if the vessel sinks and start sending out signals to satellites. Automatic activation is achieved by a hydrostatic release unit. EPIRB can also be manually activated

These beacons are powered by lithium primary batteries. When transported as cargo beacon is classified as Dangerous Goods UN 3091, class 9 LITHIUM METAL BATTERIES CONTAINED IN EQUIPMENT. EPIRBS fitted on board vessels does not come under the purview of IMDG Code

EPIRB fitted on board a vessel - Photo by Sunil Unnikrishnan