Resolution MEPC. 107(49) "Revised Guidelines and Specifications for Pollution Prevention Equipment for Machinery Space Bilges of Ships", which supersedes the recommendations contained in resolution MEPC. 60(33) was adopted at the 49th session of Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC. 49) on 18 July 2003 and will implement from 1 January 2005.

This technical information provides the outline of Resolution MEPC. 107(49) on the pollution prevention equipment for machinery space bilges (bilge separators and bilge alarms).

1. Application
In the resolution MEPC. 107(49) , the application of these Guideline is specified as follows:
1.3 Applicability
1.3.1 These Guidelines and Specifications apply:
.1 to installations fitted to ships, the keel of which are laid or which are at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 January 2005; and
.2 to new installations fitted on or after 1 January 2005 to ships, the keel of which were laid or which were at a similar stage construction before 1 January 2005 in so far as is reasonable and practicable.

As informed previously by ClassNK Technical Information No. TEC-0608 issued on 22 November 2004, the following interpretation on the implementation date of the revised Guidelines was agreed at the 52nd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC. 52) held October 2004. (MEPC/Circ. 420)
Following a proposal for clarification on the applicability of the revised Guidelines, MEPC. 52 (October 2004) agreed to the following interpretation of paragraphs1.3.1.1 and 1.3.1.2 of the revised Guidelines:
.1 under paragraph 1.3.1.1 of the revised Guidelines, installations fitted on or after 1 January 2005 to ships whose keels were laid before that date, NEED NOT meet the revised Guidelines; and
.2 under paragraph 1.3.1.2 of the revised Guidelines, "new" installations should be interpreted as "replacement" installations and fitted should be interpreted as "ordered" on or after 1 January 2005, to ships whose keels were laid before 1 January 2005.

According to this interpretation, the revised Guideline applies:
(To be continued)