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06085.GEN - New SOLAS Requirement – Immersion Suits |
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RE: NEW SOLAS REQUIREMENT – IMMERSION SUITS
Under IMO Resolution MSC.152(78), amendments to the SOLAS Convention, regarding immersion suits, will enter into force 1 July 2006. Accordingly, all vessels will be required to carry one immersion suit for each person on board. The requirements will apply to all new cargo ships built after 1 July 2006 and to all existing cargo ships no later than the first Safety Equipment Survey after 1 July 2006. Additional suits are to be provided at work and watch-keeping stations which are remotely located from the immersion suit storage locations.
Vanuatu requires that sufficient immersion suits are placed on board a vessel to cover a minimum of 100% of the normal complement of watchstanders on the bridge, in the engine room (or at a convenient location readily accessible to engine room personnel), and at any other daily work/watch station, plus one spare immersion suit at each such location, with a minimum of 2 suits per station.
Immersion suits must be of an approved type under the provisions of SOLAS. Please note that many of the newer immersion suits must be worn with an approved lifejacket.
Donald J. Sheetz
Executive Vice President |
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