1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its sixty-fifth
session approved MSC/Circ.692 on Clarification
of SOLAS regulation III/50 regarding general emergency alarm systems
where the expression "other strategic points", with regard to the
location of such systems, appears in the above referred regulation.
2 The Committee, at its seventieth session (7
to 11 December 1998), considered that the text of SOLAS regulation
III/50 subsequently transferred to the LSA Code, section VII/7.2.1.1,
referring to other strategic points might create problems in achieving
uniform application, without having a clear indication on which places
are regarded as such other strategic points.
3 The Committee, therefore, decided that the term
"other strategic points" as laid down in the LSA Code, should be interpreted
as follows:
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.1 the minimum number of the required places from
where a general emergency alarm system should be capable of being
operated is at least two;
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.2 other strategic points are taken to mean those
locations, other than the navigation bridge, from where emergency
situations are intended to be controlled and the general alarm system
can be activated; and
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.3 a fire control station or a cargo control station
should normally be regarded as strategic points.
4 Member Governments are invited to bring the
above interpretation to the attention of shipping companies, shipowners,
ship operators, shipbuilders, port State control officers and recognized
organizations seeking implementation of the above referred regulation
in a uniform manner.