The Assembly

 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.