The Bahamas Government has notified of carriage of immersion suits for the stored position of the additional life raft required by SOLAS Reg.III/31.1.4 mentioned in SOLAS Reg.III/32.3.3 by Res.MSC216(82) for that flagged ships by BMA Information Bulletin No.76 issued on 9 July 2008.
Regarding this, the interpretation are as follows.

At least 2 sets of immersion suits are to be provided for the stored position of the additional liferaft*Note2) required by SOLAS Reg.III/31.1.4, in case if that position is regarded as the remotely located work and watch stations*Note1).

Above requirements should be applied to all cargo ships regardless of date of construction.
And the compliance with this regulation is confirmed at the next annual survey after 15 October 2008 in respect of the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate.


*Note1
Remotely located work and watch stations mean where persons are permanently positioned on regular and systematic basis, rather than locations where routine or one-off work activities are performed.

*Note2
Whether the stored position of the additional liferaft is considered to be such "remotely located work and watch stations" or not depends on the consultation between the ISM Designated Person Ashore (DPA) and the Master of the vessel.


For any questions about the above, please contact:

NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK)
Material and Equipment Department, Administration Center, Head Office
Address: 4-7 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8567, Japan
Tel.: +81-3-5226-2020
Fax: +81-3-5226-2057
E-mail: eqd@classnk.or.jp