The Tuvalu Government has notified ClassNK of the special requirements for carriage of Medical Oxygen Cylinders onboard the Tuvalu flagged ships (Marine Circular MC-14/2011/1).

The main points of the notice are as follows.

1.　Ships that fall under Column A or B of the MFAG Appendix 14 – List of Equipment, are required to carry a minimum of 44 L/200 bar oxygen as follows:
"Column A" means the requirement for the ships when casualties cannot be hospitalized on shore within 24 hours, and "Column B" means the requirement for the ships when casualties can be hospitalized on shore within 2 to 24 hours.

(1)　one (1) 40 L/200 bar Medical Oxygen Cylinder located in the ship's hospital, assembled for direct use, equipped with one (1) flowmeter unit (two (2) ports) for supplying oxygen for two (2) persons simultaneously; and
(2)　one (1) complete portable set, ready for use, with a 2 L/200 bar Medical Oxygen Cylinder and a spare cylinder (also 2 L/200 bar).

2.　The single 40 L/200 bar Medical Oxygen Cylinder may be substituted with either two (2) 20 L/200 bar cylinders or four (4) 10 L/200 bar cylinders, provided the equipment/flowmeter units are arranged to supply oxygen to two (2) persons simultaneously.

3.　The cylinders are to be hydrostatically tested every five (5) years, or at an interval specified by the manufacturer, whichever occurs sooner.

4.　The contents of the cylinders are to be checked and changed as required according to manufacturer's requirements, or every three (3) years, whichever earlier.

(To be continued)