RECALLING Article 15(j) of the Convention on the International
Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Assembly in
relation to regulations and guidelines concerning maritime safety,
RECALLING FURTHER that Resolution
A.797(19) urges shipowners, ship operators, ship masters and
terminal operators to take immediate measures along the lines specified
in the Annex thereto including measures for shipowners to implement
a planned maintenance scheme and to conduct "owners surveys" of cargo
holds before loading and after unloading and maintain on board a log
of these surveys, and that terminal personnel are aware of areas of
specific concern relating to loading and unloading,
RECALLING ALSO that Resolution
A.744(18) requires the ship owner to maintain on board documentation
relating to inspection carried out by ship's personnel with respect
to structural deterioration and the condition of the coating, if any,
BEING CONCERNED at structural damages inflicted on ships
carrying solid bulk cargoes which are one of the causes of the considerable
number of bulk carrier losses, sometimes without a trace, and the
heavy loss of life incurred,
HAVING CONSIDERED the recommendation made by the Maritime
Safety Committee at its sixty-sixth session,
1. ADOPTS the Guidance for Ship' Crews and Terminal
personnel for Bulk Carrier Inspections, set out in the Annex to the
present resolution;
2. INVITES Governments to bring the Guidance to
the attention of shipowners, ship operators and shipmasters of ships
entitled to fly their flag as well as to terminal personnel concerned,
and to urge them to implement it as appropriate;
3. REQUESTS the Maritime Safety Committee to keep
the Guidance under review and amend or extend it, as necessary.