1 Unless expressly provided otherwise, this chapter
shall apply to ships the keels of which are laid or which are at a
similar stage of construction on or after 1 July 1998.
2 For the purpose of this chapter, the term a similar
stage of construction means the stage at which:
-
.1 construction identifiable with a specific ship
begins; and
-
.2 assembly of that ship has commenced comprising
at least 50 tonnes or 1% of the estimated mass of all structural material,
whichever is less.
3 For the purpose of this chapter:
-
.1 the expression ships constructed means
ships the keels of which are laid or which are at a similar stage
of construction;
-
.2 the expression all ships means
ships constructed before, on or after 1 July 1998; the expressions all passenger ships and all cargo ships shall
be construed accordingly;
-
.3 a cargo ship, whenever built, which is converted
to a passenger ship shall be treated as a passenger ship constructed
on the date on which such a conversion commences.
4 For ships constructed before 1 July 1998, the
Administration shall:
-
.1 ensure that, subject to the provisions of
paragraph 4.2, the requirements which are applicable under chapter III of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea,
1974, in force prior to 1 July 1998 to new or existing ships as prescribed
by that chapter are complied with;
-
.2 ensure that when life-saving appliances or
arrangements on such ships are replaced or such ships undergo repairs, alterations
or modifications of a major character which involve replacement of, or any
addition to, their existing life-saving appliances or arrangements, such
life-saving appliances or arrangements, in so far as is reasonable and
practicable, comply with the requirements of this chapter. However, if a survival
craft other than an inflatable liferaft is replaced without replacing its
launching appliance, or vice versa, the survival craft or launching appliance may
be of the same type as that replaced; and
-
.3 ensure that the requirements of regulations 30.3
and 37.3.9 are complied with.
5 Notwithstanding paragraph 4.2, for all ships,
not later than the first scheduled dry-docking after 1 July 2014,
but not later than 1 July 2019, lifeboat on-load release mechanisms
not complying with paragraphs 4.4.7.6.4 to 4.4.7.6.6 of the Code shall
be replaced with equipment that complies with the Code.footnote