1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its sixty-first
session (7-11 December 1992), instructed the Sub-Committee on Ship
Design and Equipment to include an item on standards for the design
and construction of sewage systems on ships in the Sub-Committee's
work programme.
2 This follows an incident on a passenger/vehicle
ferry which led to the tragic loss of life of two children. The investigation
into this incident revealed several unsatisfactory aspects and highlighted
the potential dangers associated with the operation of sewage systems
on board ships if they are not installed, operated and maintained
properly.
3 The installation, operation and maintenance
of sewage systems on ships is not currently provided for in any of
the international conventions. Against this background and in consideration
of the action taken by the Irish and United Kingdom Governments, the
Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Equipment, at its thirty-seventh
session, developed guidelines to promote uniform standards in relation
to the examination of the installation, routine inspection and regular
maintenance of these systems, to ensure safe operation at all times.
The Maritime Safety Committee, at its sixty-third session (16 to 25
May 1994), approved the guidelines, set out at annex to the present
circular.
4 The attention of Administrations and the industry
is drawn to the recommendations contained in the guidelines and Member
Governments are invited to apply them on all ships flying the flag
of their State.