1 The 2002 Conference of Contracting Governments
to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974,
in adopting SOLAS chapter XI-2 and
the ISPS Code, also adopted Conference resolution
11 on Human-element-related aspects and shore leave for seafarers
which, inter alia, urged SOLAS Contracting Governments
to take the human element, the need to afford special protection to
seafarers and the critical importance of shore leave into account
when implementing the provisions of SOLAS
chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code.
2 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its seventy-eighth
session (12 to 21 May 2004), recognizing the need for additional information
to assist SOLAS Contracting Governments and the industry to comply
with the relevant provisions of Conference resolution 11, while at
the same time meeting their obligations under SOLAS
chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code, approved
Guidance relating to shore leave and access to ships which was promulgated
under cover of MSC/Circ.1112.
3 The Committee, at its eighty-seventh session
(12 to 21 May 2010), considered the issue further and it emerged from
the discussions that some SOLAS Contracting Governments might have
not implemented in an appropriate manner the related provisions of
the ISPS Code, Conference resolution 11 and
the aforesaid guidance, which the Committee had approved in this respect,
or might have not put in place effective measures to monitor that
these were being implemented adequately. The Committee reviewed and
updated the Guidance annexed to MSC/Circ.1112 and
approved the Guidance on shore leave and access to ships, set out
in the annex.
4 SOLAS Contracting Governments are strongly urged
to bring the annexed Guidance to the attention of the Designated Authorities,
port and port facility operators, port facility security officers
and security personnel and all national authorities responsible for
the implementation, and the monitoring of the implementation, of the
provisions of SOLAS chapter XI-2 and
the ISPS Code and national authorities with influence over shore leave
for seafarers.
5 The Committee revoked MSC/Circ.1112 and resolved that any reference to MSC/Circ.1112should be read as a reference to this circular.