1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its seventy-third
session (27 November to 6 December 2000), having considered a proposal
by the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Equipment, approved the annexed
Guidelines for the design, construction and operation of passenger
submersible craft which have been developed to provide international
standards for these craft and to facilitate their international movement,
acceptance and safe operation as well as providing the highest practical
standards of safety for passengers and crew on such craft.
2 The Guidelines are applicable to submersible
craft adapted to accommodate passengers and are intended for underwater
excursions with the pressure in the passenger compartment at or near
one atmosphere.
3 The Guidelines do not address issues such as
surface support and dive site, which may be critical to the safe operation
of a passenger submersible craft. The Guidelines recognize the fact
that State(s) may have specific or additional requirements in connection
with the operation of passenger submersible craft in waters under
their jurisdiction. In addition, a consultative process may need to
be initiated between the State whose flag the craft is entitled to
fly and the State(s) in whose waters the craft will operate.
4 Member Governments are invited to bring these
Guidelines to the attention of all parties involved in the design,
construction and operation of passenger submersible craft.