1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its 101st session (5 to 14 June 2019), having
considered a proposal by the Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment, at its sixth
session, and recognizing the importance of life-saving appliances and arrangements for
ships operating in polar waters, with a view to providing interim guidance outlining
possible means of mitigating hazards in order to comply with section 8.3 of part I-A of the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar
Waters (Polar
Code), approved the Interim guidelines on life-saving appliances and
arrangements for ships operating in polar waters, as set out in the annex.
2 Member States are invited to bring the annexed Interim guidelines to the attention of
ship designers, shipyards, shipowners, ship managers, ship operators and other
organizations or persons responsible for life-saving appliances and arrangements for
ships operating in polar waters.
3 Member States are also invited to bring the annexed Interim guidelines to the attention
of shipmasters, ships' officers and crew and all other parties concerned.
4 The Committee agreed to keep the Interim guidelines under review, taking into account
operational experience gained with their application.