Annex - Amendments to the Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships (SPS Code) (Resolution A.534(13))
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Maritime Safety Committee - Resolution MSC.453(100) - Amendments to the Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships (SPS Code) - (adopted on 7 December 2018) - Annex - Amendments to the Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships (SPS Code) (Resolution A.534(13))

Annex - Amendments to the Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships (SPS Code) (Resolution A.534(13))

This document has been consolidated into SPS Code

1 The existing text of section 1.2 is amended to read as follows:

"Except as provided in 8.3, the Code applies to every new special purpose ship of not less than 500 gross tonnage. The Administration may also apply these provisions as far as reasonable and practicable to special purpose ships of less than 500 gross tonnage."

2 The existing paragraph 1.3.4 is amended to read as follows:

"1.3.4 Except as provided in 8.3, "special purpose ship" means a mechanically self-propelled ship which, by reason of its function, carries on board more than 12 special personnel including passengers. Special purpose ships to which this Code applies include the following types:

  • .1 ships engaged in research, expeditions and survey;

  • .2 ships for training of marine personnel;

  • .3 whale and fish factory ships not engaged in catching;

  • .4 ships processing other living resources of the sea, not engaged in catching; and

  • .5 other ships with design features and modes of operation similar to ships referred to in .1 to .4 which in the opinion of the Administration may be referred to this group."

3 The existing chapter 8 is replaced with the following:

"CHAPTER 8 - LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCESfootnote

8.1 The requirements of chapter III of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, as amended, should be applied with the specifications given hereunder.

8.2 A special purpose ship carrying more than 50 special personnel should comply with the requirements contained in chapter III of the 1974 SOLAS Convention for passenger ships engaged in international voyages which are not short international voyages.

8.3 Notwithstanding the provisions of 8.2, sail training ships, whether mechanically self-propelled or not and irrespective of their gross tonnage, carrying more than 50 special personnel (trainees), may in lieu of meeting the requirements of regulations 20.1.1, 20.1.2 or 20.1.3 of chapter III of the 1974 SOLAS Convention:

  • .1 comply with the requirements of regulation 20.1.5 of chapter III of the 1974 SOLAS Convention including the provision of at least one rescue boat in accordance with regulation 20.2.2 of chapter III; and

  • .2 in addition, carry one immersion suit complying with regulation 33 of chapter III of the 1974 SOLAS Convention for each person on board, unless:

    • .1 davits are provided for launching the liferafts; or

    • .2 the ship is constantly engaged on voyages in warm climates where, in the opinion of the Administration, immersion suits are unnecessary.

8.4 A special purpose ship carrying not more than 50 special personnel should comply with the requirements contained in chapter III of the 1974 SOLAS Convention for cargo ships other than tankers. Such ships may however carry life-saving appliances in accordance with 8.2, if they comply with the subdivision requirements for ships carrying more than 50 special personnel.

8.5 Regulations 2, 18.3.3, 20.1.2, 20.1.3, 26.1.6, 26.1.7, 45 and 46 of chapter III of the 1974 SOLAS Convention are not applicable to special purpose ships.

8.6 Where in chapter III of the 1974 SOLAS Convention the term "passenger" is used, it should be read to mean "special personnel" for the purpose of this Code."

4 The existing chapter 9 is replaced with the following:

"CHAPTER 9 - RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS

  • Special purpose ships should comply with the provisions of chapter IV of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, as amended."

5 The existing "Form of Safety Certificate for Special Purpose Ships" is replaced with the revised form given in the attached appendix which has been supplemented by a "Record of Equipment for Special Purpose Ship Safety Certificate (Form SPS)".

APPENDIX

FORM OF SAFETY CERTIFICATE FOR SPECIAL PURPOSE SHIPS

SPECIAL PURPOSE SHIP SAFETY CERTIFICATE
This Certificate should be supplemented by a Record of Equipment (Form SPS)
(Official seal) (State)
Issued in compliance with the provisions of the
CODE OF SAFETY FOR SPECIAL PURPOSE SHIPS
under the authority of the Government of
(name of the State)
by
(person or organization authorized)
Particulars of shipfootnote
Name of ship .........................................................................................................................
Distinctive number or letters ..................................................................................................
Port of registry .......................................................................................................................
Gross tonnage .......................................................................................................................
Sea areas in which ship is certificated
to operate (SOLAS regulation IV/2) .......................................................................................
IMO numberfootnote ........................................................................................................................
Ship's special purpose ...........................................................................................................
Date on which keel was laid or ship was of a similar
stage of construction or, where applicable, date on
which work for a conversion or an alteration or
modification of a major character was commenced ...............................................................
THIS IS TO CERTIFY:

1 That the ship has been surveyed in accordance with the requirements of regulation 1.6 of the Code.

2 That the survey showed that:

  • 2.1 the ship complied with the provisions of the Code as regards:

    • .1 the structure, main and auxiliary machinery, boilers and other pressure vessels; and

    • .2 the watertight subdivision arrangements and details;

  • 2.2 the ship complied with the provisions of the Code as regards structural fire protection, fire safety systems and appliances, and fire control plans;

  • 2.3 the life-saving appliances and the equipment of the lifeboats, liferafts and rescue boats were provided in accordance with the provisions of the Code;

  • 2.4 the ship was provided with a line-throwing appliance and radio installations used in life-saving appliances in accordance with the provisions of the Code;

  • 2.5 the ship complied with the provisions of the Code as regards radio installations;

  • 2.6 the functioning of the radio installations used in life-saving appliances complied with the provisions of the Code;

  • 2.7 the ship complied with the provisions of the Code as regards shipborne navigational equipment, means of embarkation for pilots and nautical publications;

  • 2.8 the ship was provided with lights, shapes and means of making sound signals and distress signals, in accordance with the provisions of the Code and the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions of Sea in force; and

  • 2.9 in all other respects the ship complied with the relevant provisions of the Code.

3 That an Exemption Certificate has/has notfootnote been issued.

4 That the ship has/has notfootnote been provided with Certificates issued under the 1974 SOLAS Convention, as amended.

This certificate is valid until ........................................................................... ………
Completion date of the survey on which this certificate is based: ………...................
  (dd/mm/yyyy)
Issued at ..................................................................................................................
(Place of issue of certificate)
……………………………………… ……………………………………...
(Date of issue) (Signature of authorized official issuing the certificate)
(Seal or stamp of the issuing authority, as appropriate)
ENDORSEMENT FOR ANNUAL SURVEYS RELATING TO HULL, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT REFERRED TO IN SECTION 2.1 OF THIS CERTIFICATE
THIS IS TO CERTIFY that, at a survey required by 1.6 of the Code, the ship was found to comply with the relevant provisions of the Code.
Annual survey: Signed ..................................................
  (Signature of authorized official)
  Place ....................................................
  Date ......................................................
(Seal or stamp of the Authority, as appropriate)
Annual survey: Signed ..................................................
  (Signature of authorized official)
  Place ....................................................
  Date ......................................................
(Seal or stamp of the Authority, as appropriate)
Annual survey: Signed ..................................................
  (Signature of authorized official)
  Place ....................................................
  Date ......................................................
(Seal or stamp of the Authority, as appropriate)
Annual survey: Signed ..................................................
  (Signature of authorized official)
  Place ....................................................
  Date ......................................................
(Seal or stamp of the Authority, as appropriate)
ENDORSEMENT FOR ANNUAL AND PERIODICAL SURVEYS RELATING TO LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES AND OTHER EQUIPMENT REFERRED TO IN SECTIONS 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8 AND 2.9 OF THIS CERTIFICATE
THIS IS TO CERTIFY that, at a survey required by 1.6 of the Code, the ship was found to comply with the relevant provisions of the Code.
Annual survey: Signed ..................................................
  (Signature of authorized official)
  Place ....................................................
  Date ......................................................
(Seal or stamp of the Authority, as appropriate)
Annual/periodicalfootnote survey: Signed ..................................................
  (Signature of authorized official)
  Place ....................................................
  Date ......................................................
(Seal or stamp of the Authority, as appropriate)
Annual/periodicalfootnote survey: Signed ..................................................
  (Signature of authorized official)
  Place ....................................................
  Date ......................................................
(Seal or stamp of the Authority, as appropriate)
Annual survey: Signed ..................................................
  (Signature of authorized official)
  Place ....................................................
  Date ......................................................
(Seal or stamp of the Authority, as appropriate)
ENDORSEMENT FOR PERIODICAL SURVEYS RELATING TO RADIO INSTALLATIONS REFERRED TO IN SECTION 2.5 OF THIS CERTIFICATE
THIS IS TO CERTIFY that, at a survey required by 1.6 of the Code, the ship was found to comply with the relevant provisions of the Code.
Periodical survey: Signed ..................................................
  (Signature of authorized official)
  Place ....................................................
  Date ......................................................
(Seal or stamp of the Authority, as appropriate)
Periodical survey: Signed ..................................................
  (Signature of authorized official)
  Place ....................................................
  Date ......................................................
(Seal or stamp of the Authority, as appropriate)
Periodical survey: Signed ..................................................
  (Signature of authorized official)
  Place ....................................................
  Date ......................................................
(Seal or stamp of the Authority, as appropriate)
Annual survey: Signed ..................................................
  (Signature of authorized official)
  Place ....................................................
  Date ......................................................
(Seal or stamp of the Authority, as appropriate)
ENDORSEMENT FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE CERTIFICATE
The ship complies with the relevant provisions of the Code and this Certificate should, in accordance with 1.7.3, be accepted as valid until ..................................................................
Periodical survey: Signed ..................................................
  (Signature of authorized official)
  Place ....................................................
  Date ......................................................
(Seal or stamp of the Authority, as appropriate)

ANNEX

RECORD OF EQUIPMENT FOR THE SPECIAL PURPOSE SHIP SAFETY CERTIFICATE (FORM SPS)

This Record should be permanently attached to the Special Purpose Ship Safety Certificate.

RECORD OF EQUIPMENT FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE OF SAFETY FOR SPECIAL PURPOSE SHIPS

1 Particulars of ship

Name of ship ............................................................................................................

Distinctive number or letters .....................................................................................

Number of persons on board (including passengers) for which certified ......................................................................................................

Minimum number of persons on board with required qualifications to operate the radio installations ................................................................................................

2 Details of life-saving appliances

1 Total number of persons for which life-saving appliances are provided . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  Port side Starboard side
2 Total number of lifeboats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.1 Total number of persons accommodated by them . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.2 Number of partially enclosed lifeboats (SOLAS regulation III/42) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.3 Number of self-righting partially enclosed lifeboats (SOLAS regulation III/43) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.4 Number of totally enclosed lifeboats (SOLAS regulation III/44) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.5 Other lifeboats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.5.1 Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.5.2 Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Number of motor lifeboats (included in the total lifeboats shown above) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.1 Number of lifeboats fitted with searchlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Number of rescue boats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.1 Number of boats which are included in the total lifeboats shown above . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Liferafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.1 Those for which approved launching appliances are required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.1.1 Number of liferafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.1.2 Number of persons accommodated by them . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.2 Those for which approved launching appliances are not required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.2.1 Number of liferafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.2.2 Number of persons accommodated by them . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Buoyant apparatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.1 Number of apparatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.2 Number of persons capable of being supported . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7 Number of lifebuoys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 Number of lifejackets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Immersion suits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.1 Total number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.2 Number of suits complying with the requirements for lifejackets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 Number of thermal protective aidsfootnote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 Radio installations used in life-saving appliances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11.1 Number of radar transponders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11.2 Number of two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3 Details of radio facilities

Item Actual provision
1 Primary systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.1 VHF radio installation  
1.1.1 DSC encoder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.1.2 DSC watch receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.1.3 Radiotelephony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.2 MF radio installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.2.1 DSC encoder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.2.2 DSC watch receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.2.3 Radiotelephony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.3 MF/HF radio installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.3.1 DSC encoder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.3.2 DSC watch receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.3.3 Radiotelephony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.3.4 Direct-printing radiotelegraphy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.4 Ship earth station providing a recognized mobile satellite service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2 Secondary means of alerting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Facilities for reception of maritime safety information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.1 NAVTEX receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.2 EGC receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.3 HF direct-printing radiotelegraph receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Satellite EPIRB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.1 COSPAS-SARSAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 VHF EPIRB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Ship's radar transponder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4 Methods used to ensure availability of radio facilities (SOLAS regulations IV/15.6 and 15.7)

4.1 Duplication of equipment ...........................................................................................

4.2 Shore-based maintenance .........................................................................................

4.3 At-sea maintenance capability ...................................................................................

5 Special Purpose Ships constructed before 1 February 1995 which do not comply with all the applicable requirements of chapter IV of the SOLAS Convention, as amendedfootnote

  Requirements of regulations Actual provision
Hours of listening by operator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Number of operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Whether auto alarm fitted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Whether main installation fitted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Whether reserve installation fitted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Whether main and reserve transmitters electrically separated or combined . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6 Special Purpose Ships constructed before 1 February 1992 which do not comply with the applicable requirements of chapter III of the SOLAS Convention, as amendedfootnote

  Actual provision
Radiotelegraph installation for lifeboat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Portable radio apparatus for survival craft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Survival craft EPIRB (121.5 MHz and 243.0 MHz) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Two-way radiotelephone apparatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

THIS IS TO CERTIFY that this Record is correct in all respects.

Issued at ..................................................................................................................
  (Place of issue of the Record)
     
……………………………………… ………………………………………
(Date of issue) (Signature of authorized official issuing the Record)
(Seal or stamp of the issuing authority, as appropriate)

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