With reference to the carriage of immersion suits on board Malta Flagged vessels, although ClassNK informed ClassNK Technical Information No. TEC-0658 and TEC-0901, Malta Government has noticed ClassNK of additional immersion suits as below (Technical Notice SLS.8 Rev.1).

･ Immersion suits intended solely for training purposes and marked accordingly.
(The immersion suits intended for training purpose are to be non-vacuum packed immersion suits.)

ClassNK confirmed to Malta Government that the number of immersion suits is deemed by managers of ship under consideration of actual number of crew participating in the drill, drill content, etc. The immersion suits should be provided by 31 December 2013. The said number is not included in the Form E to the SE Certificate.

Further, the Malta Government has noticed ClassNK of the special requirements for Intervals of Air Pressure Test of Immersion Suit and Anti-Exposure Suit onboard Malta flagged vessels.

The Immersion Suit and Anti-Exposure Suit are also to be subjected to an air pressure test at intervals not exceeding 3 years, although the precious notice requires the interval is to be every 30 months (2 1/2 years) for suits of less than 10 years of age or every 12 months (1 year) for suits of 10 years of age over.
Testing should be performed at a suitable shore-based facility or alternatively on board ship provided that suitable testing equipment is available.

This ClassNK Technical Information supersedes ClassNK Technical Information No. TEC-0901.

(To be continued)