1.5 SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-6, Paragraph 3.1
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC.1/Circular.1464/Rev.1 - Unified Interpretations of SOLAS Chapters II-1 and XII, of the Technical Provisions for Means of Access for Inspections (Resolution MSC.158(78)) and of the Performance Standards - Annex - 1 SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-6 – Access to and Within Spaces in, and forward of, the Cargo Area of Oil Tankers and Bulk Carriers - 1.5 SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-6, Paragraph 3.1

1.5 SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-6, Paragraph 3.1

Parent topic: 1 SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-6 – Access to and Within Spaces in, and forward of, the Cargo Area of Oil Tankers and Bulk Carriers

Interpretation

 1 Access to a double-side skin space of bulk carriers may be either from a topside tank or double-bottom tank or from both.

2 The wording "not intended for the carriage of oil or hazardous cargoes" applies only to "similar compartments", i.e. safe access can be through a pump-room, deep cofferdam, pipe tunnel, cargo hold or double-hull space.

Technical background

 Unless used for other purposes, the double-side skin space should be designed as a part of a large U-shaped ballast tank and such space should be accessed through the adjacent part of the tank, i.e. topside tank or double-bottom/bilge hopper tank. Access to the double-side skin space from the adjacent part rather than direct from the open deck is justified. Any such arrangement should provide a directly routed, logical and safe access that facilitates easy evacuation of the space.

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