Panama Maritime Authority has partly revised Merchant Marine Circular (MMC) No.142 about the special requirements for EEBDs onboard the Panama flag vessels, and then the latest requirements are as follows.

Emergency escape breathing device

1. Number of EEBDs
(1) For cargo ships : At least two EEBDs and one spare EEBD in accommodation.
(2) For passenger ships carrying not more than 36 passengers : At least two EEBDs per main vertical zone and a total of two spare EEBDs, except those defined in the regulation SOLAS II-2/13.3.4.5.
(3) For passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers : At least four EEBDs per main vertical zone and a total of two spare EEBDs, except those defined in the regulation SOLAS II-2/13.3.4.5.
(4) The minimum number of EEBDs required on machinery spaces of category A where crews are normally employed or may be present on a routine basis shall be as follows:
(i) One EEBD at the engine control room, if located within the machinery space;
(ii) One EEBD at the workshop areas, if there is, however, a direct access to an escape way from the workshop, an EEBD is not required; and
(iii) One EEBD on each deck or platform level near the escape ladder constituting the second means of escape from the machinery space (the other means being an enclosed escape trunk or water tight door at the lower level of the space).
(5) If the ship has a machinery space with more than one deck, then one EEBD for each deck shall be placed at the same area as in point (4)(iii).

2. Spares
Ships with ten or less EEBDs on board shall carry at least one spare device as mentioned in item 1. Ships with 11 to 20 EEBDs on board shall carry at least two spare devices. Ships with more than 20 EEBDs on board shall carry spares equal to at least 10% of the total EEBDs but no more than 4 spares will be required.


(To be continued)