1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its eighty-fifth
session (26 November to 5 December 2008), adopted the International
Code on Intact Stability, 2008 (2008 IS Code)
by resolution MSC.267(85), together
with adoption of amendments to chapter
II-1 of the International Convention for the Safety
of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended (1974 SOLAS Convention) (resolution MSC.269(85)) and to the Protocol
of 1988 relating to the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966
(1988 LL Protocol) (resolution MSC.270(85)),
in order to make the introduction and the provisions of part A of
the 2008 IS Code mandatory under the Convention
and the Protocol, which are expected to enter into force on 1 July
2010.
2 In adopting the aforementioned amendments,
the Committee considered the recommendation by the Sub-Committee
on Stability and Load Lines and on Fishing Vessels Safety,
at its fifty-first session, that Contracting Governments to the 1974
SOLAS Convention and Parties to the 1988 LL Protocol may apply, in
advance, the provisions of the 2008 IS Code before it has entered
into force, and agreed to the recommendation.
3 The Committee, therefore, resolved that
Contracting Governments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention and Parties
to the 1988 LL Protocol may apply the 2008 IS Code in advance of
the entry into force of the amendments to chapter
II-1 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention and the 1988 LL Protocol
that make the introduction and the provisions of part A of
the 2008 IS Code mandatory.
4 Contracting Governments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention
and Parties to the 1988 LL Protocol are invited to take account of
this decision when surveying and certifying ships flying their flag
constructed on or after 5 December 2008.