The Maltese Government have notified of embarkation arrangement for remotely located survival craft for that flagged ships as follows.


The area where the remotely located survival craft, required by regulation 31.1.4 of SOLAS III, is stowed should be provided with requirements as follows in accordance with the interpretation circulated in IMO circular MSC.1/Circ. 1243.
Following requirements should be applied to all ships regardless of date of construction. And the compliance with this regulation is confirmed at the next annual survey after 1 November 2008 in respect of the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate.

1. An embarkation ladder complying with Section 6.1.6 of the LSA Code.
2. A Jacob's ladder or aluminium ladder complying with Section 6.1.6 of the LSA Code; and
3. Other means of embarkation enabling controlled descent to the survival craft, subject to case by case approval by Class NK.
4. A knotted rope shall not be accepted as "other means of embarkation".
5. All means of embarkation should be located clear of any obstructions in way of the vessel's fore part and as far aft of the bow as is reasonable and practicable so as not to compromise safe descent.
6. In locating the best possible position for the means of embarkation and the liferaft painter securing points, the following should be considered:

(1) the distance from the means of embarkation to sea level in all conditions of loading, list and trim;
(2) the position of the means of embarkation relative to position of securing point for the liferaft painter and the length of the painter; and
(3) preferably the deployed means of embarkation should be located forward of the liferaft when waterborne.



(To be continued)