18.1 Craft operational control

  18.1.1 The High-Speed Craft Safety Certificate, the Permit to Operate High-Speed Craft or certified copies thereof, and copies of the route operational manual, craft operating manual, and a copy of such elements of the maintenance manual as the Administration may require shall be carried on board.

  18.1.2 The craft shall not be intentionally operated outside the worst intended conditions and limitations specified in the Permit to Operate High-Speed Craft, in the High-Speed Craft Safety Certificate, or in documents referred to therein.

  18.1.3 The Administration shall issue a Permit to Operate High-Speed Craft when it is satisfied that the operator has made adequate provisions from the point of view of safety generally, including the following matters specifically, and shall revoke the Permit to Operate if such provisions are not maintained to its satisfaction:

• .1 the suitability of the craft for the service intended, having regard to the safety limitations and information contained in the route operational manual;

• .2 the suitability of the operating conditions in the route operational manual;

• .3 the arrangements for obtaining weather information on the basis of which the commencement of a voyage may be authorized;

• .4 provision in the area of operation of a base port having functions and facilities in accordance with the requirements of this Code;

• .5 the designation of the person responsible for decisions to cancel or delay a particular voyage, e.g. in the light of the weather information available;

• .6 sufficient crew complement required for operating the craft, deploying and manning survival craft, the supervision of passengers, vehicles and cargo in both normal and emergency conditions as defined in the Permit to Operate. The crew complement shall be such that two officers are on duty in the operating compartment when the craft is under way, one of whom may be the master;

• .7 crew qualifications and training, including competence in relation to the particular type of craft and service intended, and their instructions in regard to safe operational procedures;

• .8 restrictions with regard to working hours, rostering of crews and any other arrangements to prevent fatigue, including adequate rest periods;

• .9 the training of crew in craft operation and emergency procedures;

• .10 the maintenance of crew competence in regard to operation and emergency procedures;

• .11 safety arrangements at terminals and compliance with any existing safety arrangements, as appropriate;

• .12 traffic control arrangements and compliance with any existing traffic control, as appropriate;

• .13 restrictions and/or provisions relating to position fixing and to operation by night or in restricted visibility, including the use of radar and/or other electronic aids to navigation, as appropriate;

• .14 additional equipment which may be required, due to the specific characteristics of the service intended, for example, night operation;

• .15 communication arrangements between craft, coast radio stations, base ports radio stations, emergency services and other ships, including radio frequencies to be used and watch to be kept;

• .16 the keeping of records to enable the Administration to verify:

  • .16.1 that the craft is operated within the specified parameters;

  • .16.2 the observance of emergency and safety drills/procedures;

  • .16.3 the hours worked by the operating crew;

  • .16.4 the number of passengers on board;

  • .16.5 compliance with any law to which the craft is subject;

  • .16.6 craft operations; and

  • .16.7 maintenance of the craft and its machinery in accordance with approved schedules;

• .17 arrangements to ensure that equipment is maintained in compliance with the Administration's requirements, and to ensure co-ordination of information as to the serviceability of the craft and equipment between the operating and maintenance elements of the operator's organization;

• .18 the existence and use of adequate instructions regarding:

  • .18.1 loading of the craft so that weight and centre of gravity limitations can be effectively observed and cargo is, when necessary, adequately secured;

  • .18.2 the provision of adequate fuel reserves;

  • .18.3 action in the event of reasonable foreseeable emergencies; and

• .19 provision of contingency plans by operators for foreseeable incidents including all land-based activities for each scenario. The plans shall provide operating crews with information regarding search and rescue (SAR) authorities and local administrations and organizations which may complement the tasks undertaken by crews with the equipment available to them.^footnote

  18.1.4 The Administration shall determine the maximum allowable distance from a base port or place of refuge after assessing the provisions made under 18.1.3.

  18.1.5 The master shall ensure that an effective system of supervision and reporting of the closing and opening of accesses referred to in 2.2.4.2 and 2.2.4.3 is implemented.