1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its seventy-sixth
session (2 to 13 December 2002), approved the annexed Interim Guidelines
for wing-in-ground (WIG) craft. WIG craft are supported in their main
operational mode solely by aerodynamic forces which enable them to
operate at low altitude above the sea surface but out of direct contact
with that surface. The arrangement, engineering characteristics, design,
construction and operation of WIG craft have much in common with those
characteristic for aircraft. WIG craft must necessarily operate with
other waterborne craft and use the same collision avoidance rules
as conventional shipping.
2 The Interim Guidelines for WIG craft were developed
in view of the configuration of WIG craft, which fall between the
maritime and aviation regulatory regimes. The basis for the Interim
Guidelines is flexible risk management. Although this is a paradigm
shift from the prescriptive standards forming the basis of the 2000
HSC Code, the intention is to achieve safety standards comparable
to those of the 1974 SOLAS Convention. However, relevant provisions
of the 2000 HSC Code have been included in the Interim Guidelines.
3 The Interim Guidelines are not intended to be
a “design guide” for the development of WIG craft. Rather,
they are intended to be used with proper engineering analysis, design
and developmental testing to achieve an inherently safe craft. As
appropriate, wind tunnel and scale model evaluation should be incorporated
into the design process and used as part of design validation and
certification.
4 These Guidelines are interim guidelines and
their relevancy and adequacy should be assessed as experience is gained
in their application.
5 Member Governments are invited to bring the
annexed Interim Guidelines to the attention of all parties concerned.