1 The Condition Assessment Scheme (CAS), as a
mandatory requirement under regulation 13G (now regulation 20) of MARPOL Annex
I, was adopted on 27 April 2001 by resolution
MEPC.94(46). It was later amended, firstly by resolution MEPC.99(48), adopted on 11 October
2002, whereby the Model Survey Plan for CAS and the Mandatory Requirements
for the Safe Conduct of CAS Surveys were incorporated, and secondly
by resolution MEPC.112(50), adopted
on 4 December 2003 as a consequence of amendments to regulation 13G
(now regulation 20) and new
regulation 13H (now regulation 21)
of MARPOL Annex I in the wake of the Prestige incident.
2 MEPC 51 (29 March to 2 April 2004), in discussing
CAS compliance for Category 1 tankers, agreed that Category 1 oil
tankers that were due to complete CAS prior to 5 April 2005 under
the current regulation 13G of MARPOL Annex
I need not complete CAS, as such tankers would be phased out
on 5 April 2005 upon entry into force on the same date of the revised
regulation 13G of MARPOL Annex I adopted
by resolution MEPC.111(50). MEPC
51 agreed to issue a circular to this effect (MEPC 51/22, paragraph
17.33).
3 Member Governments are invited to bring this
circular to the attention of all parties concerned, including port
State control officers.