Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) (Amendment) Regulations 2000

No. S 40

Merchant Shipping Act

(Chapter 179)

Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) (Amendment) Regulations 2000

In exercise of the powers conferred by section 100 of the Merchant Shipping Act, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, with the approval of the Minister for Communications and Information Technology, hereby makes the following Regulations:

Citation and commencement

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 and shall come into operation on 3rd February 2000.

Amendment of Regulation 2 of Chapter I

2. Regulation 2 of Chapter I of the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Regulations (Rg 11) (referred to in these Regulations as the principal Regulations) is amended by inserting, immediately after the definition of “age of ship”, the following definition:

“ “Anniversary date” means the day and the month of each year which will correspond to the date of expiry of the relevant certificate;”.

Amendment of Regulation 6 of Chapter I

3. Regulation 6 of Chapter I of the principal Regulations is amended by deleting paragraph (a) and substituting the following paragraph:

“(a)

The inspection and survey of ships, so far as regards the enforcement of the provisions of these Regulations and the granting of exemptions therefrom, shall be carried out by surveyors of ships or authorised organisations except that the granting of exemptions shall be with the approval of the Director.”.

Amendment of Regulation 7 of Chapter I

4. Regulation 7 of Chapter I of the principal Regulations is amended —

(a)

by deleting paragraphs (a) and (b)(i) and (ii) and substituting the following paragraphs:

“(a)

A passenger ship shall be subject to the surveys specified below —

(i)	an initial survey before the ship is put in service;
(ii)	a renewal survey once every 12 months, except where Regulation 14(b), (e), (f) and (g) is applicable; and
(iii)	additional surveys, as the occasion arises.

(b)

The surveys referred to above shall be carried out as follows:

(i)

The initial survey shall include a complete inspection of the ship’s structure, machinery and equipment, including the outside of the ship’s bottom and the inside and outside of the boilers. This survey shall be such as to ensure that the arrangements, materials and scantlings of the structure, boilers and other pressure vessels and their appurtenances, main and auxiliary machinery, electrical installation, radio installations including those used in life-saving appliances, fire protection, fire safety systems and appliances, life-saving appliances and arrangements, shipborne navigational equipment, nautical publications, means of embarkation for pilots and other equipment, fully comply with the requirements of these Regulations, for ships of the service for which it is intended. The survey shall also be such as to ensure that the workmanship of all parts of the ship and its equipment is in all respects satisfactory, and that the ship is provided with the lights, shapes, means of making sound signals and distress signals as required by the provisions of these Regulations and of the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Collisions at Sea) Regulations (Rg 10) in force.

(ii)

The renewal survey shall include an inspection of the structure, boilers and other pressure vessels, machinery and equipment, including the outside of the ship’s bottom. The survey shall be such as to ensure that the ship, as regards the structure, boilers and other pressure vessels and their appurtenances, main and auxiliary machinery, electrical installation, radio installations including those used in life-saving appliances, fire protection, fire safety systems and appliances, life-saving appliances and arrangements, shipborne navigational equipment, nautical publications, means of embarkation for pilots and other equipment is in satisfactory condition and is fit for the service for which it is intended, and that it complies with the requirements of these Regulations. The lights, shapes, means of making sound signals and distress signals carried by the ship shall also be subject to the abovementioned survey for the purpose of ensuring that they comply with the requirements of these Regulations and of the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Collisions at Sea) Regulations in force.”; and

(b)

by inserting, immediately after the word “force” at the end of paragraph (b)(iii), the words “, and such that the ship is fit for the service for which it is intended.”.

Deletion and substitution of Regulation 8 of Chapter I

5. Regulation 8 of Chapter I of the principal Regulations is deleted and the following Regulation substituted therefor:

“Regulation 8 — Surveys of Life-Saving Appliances and Other Equipment of Cargo Ships

(a) The life-saving appliances and other equipment of cargo ships of 500 tons and upwards as referred to in paragraph (b) (i) shall be subject to the surveys specified below —

(i)	an initial survey before the ship is put in service;
(ii)	a renewal survey at intervals of 5 years, except where Regulation 14(b), (e), (f) and (g) is applicable;
(iii)	a periodical survey within 3 months before or after the second anniversary date or within 3 months before or after the third anniversary date of the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate which shall take the place of one of the annual surveys specified in sub-paragraph (iv);
(iv)	an annual survey within 3 months before or after each anniversary date of the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate;
(v)	an additional survey as prescribed for passenger ships in Regulation 7(b)(iii).

(b) The surveys referred to in paragraph (a) shall be carried out as follows:

(i)	the initial survey shall include a complete inspection of the fire safety systems and appliances, life-saving appliances and arrangements except radio installations, the shipborne navigational equipment, means of embarkation for pilots and other equipment to which Chapters II-1, II-2, III and V apply to ensure that they comply with the requirements of these Regulations, are in satisfactory condition and are fit for the service for which the ship is intended. The fire control plans, nautical publications, lights, shapes, means of making sound signals and distress signals shall also be subject to the abovementioned survey for the purpose of ensuring that they comply with the requirements of these Regulations and, where applicable, the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Collisions at Sea) Regulations (Rg 10) in force;
(ii)	the renewal and periodical surveys shall include an inspection of the equipment referred to in paragraph (b)(i) to ensure that it complies with the relevant requirements of these Regulations and the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Collisions at Sea) Regulations in force, is in satisfactory condition and is fit for the service for which the ship is intended;
(iii)	the annual survey shall include a general inspection of the equipment referred to in paragraph (b)(i) to ensure that it has been maintained in accordance with Regulation 11(a) and that it remains satisfactory for the service for which the ship is intended.

(c) The periodical and annual surveys referred to in paragraph (a)(iii) and (iv) shall be endorsed on the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate.”.

Deletion and substitution of Regulation 9 of Chapter I

6. Regulation 9 of Chapter I of the principal Regulations is deleted and the following Regulation substituted therefor:

“Regulation 9 — Surveys of Radio Installations of Cargo Ships

(a)

The radio installations, including those used in life-saving appliances, of cargo ships to which Chapters III and IV apply shall be subject to the surveys specified below —

(i)	an initial survey before the ship is put in service;
(ii)	a renewal survey at intervals of 5 years, except where Regulation 14(b), (e), (f) and (g) is applicable;
(iii)	a periodical survey within 3 months before or after each anniversary date of the Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate;
(iv)	an additional survey as prescribed for passenger ships in Regulation 7(b)(iii).

(b)

The surveys referred to in paragraph (a) shall be carried out as follows:

(i)	the initial survey shall include a complete inspection of the radio installations of cargo ships, including those used in life-saving appliances, to ensure that they comply with the requirements of these Regulations;
(ii)	the renewal and periodical surveys shall include an inspection of the radio installations of cargo ships, including those used in life-saving appliances, to ensure that they comply with the requirements of these Regulations.

(c)

The periodical surveys referred to in paragraph (a)(iii) shall be endorsed on the Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate.”.

Amendment of Regulation 10 of Chapter I

7. Regulation 10 of Chapter I of the principal Regulations is amended —

(a)

by deleting the heading and substituting the following heading:

“Surveys of Structure, Machinery and Equipment of Cargo Ships”; and

(b)

by deleting paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) and substituting the following paragraphs:

“(a)

The structure, machinery and equipment (other than items in respect of which a Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate and a Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate are issued) of a cargo ship as referred to in paragraph (b)(i) shall be subject to the surveys and inspections specified below —

(i)	an initial survey including an inspection of the outside of the ship’s bottom before the ship is put in service;
(ii)	a renewal survey at intervals of 5 years, except where Regulation 14(b), (e), (f) and (g) is applicable;
(iii)	an intermediate survey within 3 months before or after the second anniversary date or within 3 months before or after the third anniversary date of the Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate, which shall take the place of one of the annual surveys specified in sub-paragraph (iv);
(iv)	an annual survey within 3 months before or after each anniversary date of the Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate;
(v)	a minimum of 2 inspections of the outside of the ship’s bottom during any 5-year period, except where Regulation 14(e) or (f) is applicable. Where Regulation 14(e) or (f) is applicable, this 5-year period may be extended to coincide with the extended period of validity of the certificate. In all cases, the interval between any 2 such inspections shall not exceed 36 months;
(vi)	an additional survey as prescribed for passenger ships in Regulation 7(b) (iii).

(b)

The surveys and inspections referred to in paragraph (a) shall be carried out as follows:

(i)	the initial survey shall include a complete inspection of the structure, machinery and equipment. This survey shall be such as to ensure that the arrangements, materials, scantlings and workmanship of the structure, boilers and other pressure vessels, their appurtenances, main and auxiliary machinery including steering gear and associated control systems, electrical installation and other equipment comply with the requirements of these Regulations, are in satisfactory condition and are fit for the service for which the ship is intended and that the required stability information is provided. In the case of tankers, such a survey shall also include an inspection of the pump-rooms, cargo, bunker and ventilation piping systems and associated safety devices.
(ii)	the renewal survey shall include an inspection of the structure, machinery and equipment as referred to in sub-paragraph (i) to ensure that they comply with the requirements of these Regulations, are in satisfactory condition and are fit for the service for which the ship is intended;
(iii)	the intermediate survey shall include an inspection of the structure, boilers and other pressure vessels, machinery and equipment, the steering gear and the associated control systems and electrical installation to ensure that they remain satisfactory for the service for which the ship is intended. In the case of tankers, the survey shall also include an inspection of the pump-rooms, cargo, bunker and ventilation piping systems and associated safety devices and the testing of insulation resistance of electrical installation in dangerous zones;
(iv)	the annual survey shall include a general inspection of the structure, machinery and equipment referred to in sub-paragraph (i), to ensure that they have been maintained in accordance with Regulation 11(a) and that they remain satisfactory for the service for which the ship is intended;
(v)	the inspection of the outside of the ship’s bottom and the survey of related items inspected at the same time shall be such as to ensure that they remain satisfactory for the service for which the ship is intended.

(c)

The intermediate and annual surveys and the inspections of the outside of the ship’s bottom referred to in paragraph (a)(iii), (iv) and (v) shall be endorsed on the Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate.”.

Amendment of Regulation 11 of Chapter I

8. Regulation 11 of Chapter I of the principal Regulations is amended —

(a)	by deleting “6,” in the 1st line of paragraph (b);
(b)	by deleting the word “arrangement” in the 3rd line of paragraph (b) and substituting the word “arrangements”; and
(c)	by deleting “6,” in the 7th line of paragraph (c).

Deletion and substitution of Regulation 12 of Chapter I

9. Regulation 12 of Chapter I of the principal Regulations is deleted and the following Regulation substituted therefor:

“Regulation 12 — Issue or Endorsement of Certificates

(a)

(i)	A certificate called a Passenger Ship Safety Certificate shall be issued after an initial or renewal survey to a passenger ship which complies with the relevant requirements of Chapters II-1, II-2, III, IV and V and any other relevant requirements of these Regulations.
(ii)	A certificate called a Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate shall be issued after an initial or renewal survey to a cargo ship which complies with the relevant requirements of Chapters II-1 and II-2 (other than those relating to fire safety systems and appliances and fire control plans) and any other relevant requirements of these Regulations.
(iii)	A certificate called a Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate shall be issued after an initial or renewal survey to a cargo ship which complies with the relevant requirements of Chapters II-1, II-2, III and V and any other relevant requirements of these Regulations.
(iv)	A certificate called a Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate shall be issued after an initial or renewal survey to a cargo ship which complies with the relevant requirements of Chapter IV and any other relevant requirements of these Regulations.
(v)	The Passenger Ship Safety Certificate, the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate and the Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate, referred to in sub-paragraphs (i), (iii) and (iv), shall be supplemented by a Record of Equipment in the form set out in the Second Schedule.
(vi)	When an exemption is granted to a ship under and in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations, a certificate referred to as an Exemption Certificate shall be issued in addition to the certificates prescribed in this paragraph.
(vii)	The certificates referred to in this Regulation shall be issued or endorsed either by the Director or by an authorised organisation.

(b)

Notwithstanding any other provisions of the present Convention, any certificate which is issued under, and in accordance with, the provisions of the Convention and which is current on 3rd February 2000 shall remain valid until it expires.”.

Deletion and substitution of Regulation 13 of Chapter I

10. Regulation 13 of Chapter I of the principal Regulations is deleted and the following Regulation substituted therefor:

“Regulation 13 — Issue or Endorsement of Certificates by another Government

The Director may, at the request of a Contracting State, cause a foreign ship in Singapore to be surveyed and, if satisfied that the requirements of these Regulations are complied with, shall issue or authorise the issue of certificates to the ship and, where appropriate, endorse or authorise the endorsement of certificates on the ship in accordance with these Regulations. Any certificate so issued shall contain a statement to the effect that it has been issued at the request of the Government of the State the flag of which the ship is entitled to fly, and it shall have the same force and receive the same recognition as a certificate issued under Regulation 12.”.

Deletion and substitution of Regulation 14 of Chapter I

11. Regulation 14 of Chapter I of the principal Regulations is deleted and the following Regulation substituted therefor:

“Regulation 14 — Duration and Validity of Certificates

(a)

A Passenger Ship Safety Certificate shall be issued for a period not exceeding 12 months. A Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate, Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate and Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate shall be issued for a period not exceeding 5 years. An Exemption Certificate shall not be valid for longer than the period of the certificate to which it refers.

(b)

(i)

Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph (a), when the renewal survey is completed within 3 months before the expiry date of the existing certificate, the new certificate shall be valid from the date of completion of the renewal survey to —

(1)	for a passenger ship, a date not exceeding 12 months from the date of expiry of the existing certificate;
(2)	for a cargo ship, a date not exceeding 5 years from the date of expiry of the existing certificate.

(ii)

When the renewal survey is completed after the expiry date of the existing certificate, the new certificate shall be valid from the date of completion of the renewal survey to —

(1)	for a passenger ship, a date not exceeding 12 months from the date of expiry of the existing certificate;
(2)	for a cargo ship, a date not exceeding 5 years from the date of expiry of the existing certificate.

(iii)

When the renewal survey is completed more than 3 months before the expiry date of the existing certificate, the new certificate shall be valid from the date of completion of the renewal survey to —

(1)	for a passenger ship, a date not exceeding 12 months from the date of completion of the renewal survey;
(2)	for a cargo ship, a date not exceeding 5 years from the date of completion of the renewal survey.

(c)

If a certificate other than a Passenger Ship Safety Certificate is issued for a period of less than 5 years, the Director or authorised organisation with the approval of the Director may extend the validity of the certificate beyond the expiry date to the maximum period specified in paragraph (a), provided that the surveys referred to in Regulations 8, 9 and 10 applicable when a certificate is issued for a period of 5 years are carried out as appropriate.

(d)

If a renewal survey has been completed and a new certificate cannot be issued or placed on board the ship before the expiry date of the existing certificate, the surveyors of ships or authorised organisation may endorse the existing certificate and such a certificate shall be accepted as valid for a further period which shall not exceed 5 months from the expiry date.

(e)

If a ship at the time when a certificate expires is not in a port in which it is to be surveyed, the Director or authorised organisation with the approval of the Director may extend the period of validity of the certificate but this extension shall be granted only for the purpose of allowing the ship to complete its voyage to the port in which it is to be surveyed, and then only in cases where it appears proper and reasonable to do so. No certificate shall be extended for a period longer than 3 months, and a ship to which an extension is granted shall not, on its arrival in the port in which it is to be surveyed, be entitled by virtue of such extension to leave that port without having a new certificate. When the renewal survey is completed, the new certificate shall be valid to —

(i)	for a passenger ship, a date not exceeding 12 months from the date of expiry of the existing certificate before the extension was granted;
(ii)	for a cargo ship, a date not exceeding 5 years from the date of expiry of the existing certificate before the extension was granted.

(f)

A certificate issued to a ship engaged on short voyages which has not been extended under the foregoing provisions of this Regulation may be extended by the Director or authorised organisation with the approval of the Director for a period of grace of up to one month from the date of expiry stated on it. When the renewal survey is completed, the new certificate shall be valid to —

(i)	for a passenger ship, a date not exceeding 12 months from the date of expiry of the existing certificate before the extension was granted;
(ii)	for a cargo ship, a date not exceeding 5 years from the date of expiry of the existing certificate before the extension was granted.

(g)

In special circumstances, as determined by the Director or authorised organisation with the approval of the Director, a new certificate need not be dated from the date of expiry of the existing certificate as required by paragraph (b)(ii), (e) or (f). In these special circumstances, the new certificate shall be valid to —

(i)	for a passenger ship, a date not exceeding 12 months from the date of completion of the renewal survey;
(ii)	for a cargo ship, a date not exceeding 5 years from the date of completion of the renewal survey.

(h)

If an annual, intermediate or periodical survey is completed before the period specified in the relevant Regulations then —

(i)	the anniversary date shown on the relevant certificate shall be amended by endorsement to a date which shall not be more than 3 months later than the date on which the survey was completed;
(ii)	the subsequent annual, intermediate or periodical survey required by the relevant Regulations shall be completed at the intervals prescribed by these Regulations using the new anniversary date;
(iii)	the expiry date may remain unchanged provided one or more annual, intermediate or periodical surveys, as appropriate, are carried out so that the maximum intervals between the surveys prescribed by the relevant Regulations are not exceeded.

(i)

A certificate issued under Regulation 12 or 13 shall cease to be valid in any of the following cases:

(i)	if the relevant surveys and inspections are not completed within the periods specified under Regulations 7 (a), 8 (a), 9 (a) and 10 (a);
(ii)	if the certificate is not endorsed in accordance with these Regulations;
(iii)	upon transfer of the ship to the flag of another country.”.

Deletion and substitution of Regulation 15 of Chapter I

12. Regulation 15 of Chapter I of the principal Regulations is deleted and the following Regulation substituted therefor:

“Regulation 15 — Forms of Certificates and Records of Equipment

The Certificates and records of equipment shall be in the forms set out in the First and Second Schedules respectively.”.

Deletion and substitution of Regulation 16 of Chapter I

13. Regulation 16 of Chapter I of the principal Regulations is deleted and the following Regulation substituted therefor:

“Regulation 16 — Availability of Certificates

The Certificates issued under Regulations 12 and 13 shall be readily available on board for examination at all times.”.

Deletion and substitution of Regulation 17 of Chapter I

14. Regulation 17 of Chapter I of the principal Regulations is deleted and the following Regulation substituted therefor:

“Regulation 17 — Acceptance of Certificates

Certificates and Records of Equipment issued in accordance with the Convention under the authority of a country to which the Convention applies shall be accepted by the Director for the purposes of these Regulations.”.

Amendment of Regulation 19 of Chapter I

15. Regulation 19 of Chapter I of the principal Regulations is amended —

(a)

by deleting the word “considered” in the 5th line of paragraph (d) and substituting the word “deemed”;

(b)

by inserting, immediately after the word “port” in the 1st line of paragraph (e), the word “State”; and

(c)

by deleting the footnote and substituting the following footnote:

“* Reference is made to Resolution A.787 (19) – “Procedures for Port State Control” – adopted by the Organisation on 23 November 1995.”.

Amendment of First Schedule

16. The First Schedule to the principal Regulations is amended by deleting the Forms for Passenger Ship Safety Certificate, Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate, Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate, Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate and Exemption Certificate and substituting the following Forms:

“FIRST SCHEDULE

”.

Amendment of Second Schedule

17. The Second Schedule to the principal Regulations is amended by deleting the Record of Equipment for the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate (Form P), Record of Equipment for the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate (Form E) and Record of Equipment for the Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate (Form R) and substituting the following Records:

Made this 26th day of January 2000.

PETER HO HAK EAN

Chairman,
Maritime and Port Authority of
Singapore.

[MPA 42/3.02 V8 (LD)/TME; AG/LET/SL/179/96/1 Vol. 7]

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