2.1 The date on which a conversion occurs for
the purposes of determining the applicability of requirements for
ships constructed on or after the date on which any relevant amendments
enters into force should be:
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.1 the date on which the contract is placed for
the conversion; or
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.2 in the absence of a contract, the date on which
the work identifiable with the specific conversion begins; or
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.3 the completion date of the conversion, if that
occurs more than three years after the date specified in subparagraph
.1 above or 30 months after the date specified in subparagraph .2
above, either as applicable.
2.2 As for paragraph 2.1 above, the following
applies:
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.1 Where the completion date of the conversion
has been subject to delay beyond the period referred to in paragraph
2.1.3 above due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of
the builder and the owner, the date on which contract is placed for
the conversion or, if applicable, the date on which the work identifiable
with the specific conversion begins may be accepted by the Administration
in lieu of the completion date of the conversion. The treatment of
such ships should be considered by the Administration on a case-by-case
basis, bearing in mind the particular circumstances.
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.2 It is important that ships accepted by the
Administration under the provisions of subparagraph .1 above should
also be accepted as such by port States. In order to ensure this,
the following practice is recommended to Administrations when considering
an application for such a ship:
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.1 the Administration should thoroughly consider
applications on a case-by-case basis, bearing in mind the particular
circumstances. In doing so in the case of a ship converted in a foreign
country, the Administration may require a formal report from the authorities
of the country in which the ship was converted, stating that the delay
was due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the builder
and the owner;
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.2 when a ship is accepted by the Administration
under the provisions of subparagraph .1 above, information on the
conversion date annotated on the relevant certificates should be footnoted
to indicate that the ship is accepted by the Administration under
the unforeseen delay in completion of the conversion provisions of
this interpretation; and
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.3 the Administration should report to the Organization
on the identity of the ship and the grounds on which the ship has
been accepted under the unforeseen delay in the completion of the
conversion provisions of this interpretation.