No. S 691
Merchant Shipping Act
(Chapter 179)
Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2006
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 Transport, hereby makes the following Regulations:
Citation and commencement
1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2006 and shall come into operation on 1st January 2007.
Deletion and substitution of Part A-1 of Chapter II-1
2.  Part A-1 of Chapter II-1 of the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Regulations (Rg 11) (referred to in these Regulations as the principal Regulations) is deleted and the following Part substituted therefor:
“Part A-1 — Structure of Ships
Regulation 3-1 — Structural, Mechanical and Electrical Requirements for Ships
In addition to the requirements contained elsewhere in the present regulations, ships shall be designed, constructed and maintained in compliance with the structural, mechanical and electrical requirements of a classification society which is recognised by the Director in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 1 of Chapter XI-1, or with requirements determined by the Director which provide an equivalent level of safety.
Regulation 3-2 — Corrosion Prevention of Seawater Ballast Tanks in Oil Tankers and Bulk Carriers (This Regulation applies to oil tankers and bulk carriers constructed on or after 1st July 1998)
All dedicated seawater ballast tanks shall have an efficient corrosion prevention system, such as hard protective coatings or equivalent. The coatings should preferably be of a light colour. The scheme for the selection, application and maintenance of the system shall be approved by the Director, based on the guidelines adopted by the Organization1. Where appropriate, sacrificial anodes shall also be used.
1  Refer to the Guidelines for the selection, application and maintenance of corrosion prevention systems of dedicated seawater ballast tanks, adopted by the Organization by resolution A.798(19).
Regulation 3-3

Safe Access to Tanker Bows

(a)  For the purpose of this Regulation and Regulation 3-4, tankers include oil tankers as defined in Regulation 2(l), chemical tankers as defined in Regulation 8(b) of Chapter VII and gas carriers as defined in Regulation 11(b) of Chapter VII.
(b)  Every tanker shall be provided with the means to enable the crew to gain safe access to the bow even in severe weather conditions. Such means of access shall be approved by the Director based on the guidelines developed by the Organization2.
2  Refer to the Guidelines for Safe Access to Tanker Bows, adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee of the Organization by resolution MSC.62(67).
Regulation 3-4

Emergency Towing Arrangements on Tankers

(a)  Emergency towing arrangements shall be fitted at both ends on board every tanker of not less than 20,000 tonnes deadweight.
(b)  For tankers constructed on or after 1st July 2002:
(i)the arrangements shall, at all times, be capable of rapid deployment in the absence of main power on the ship to be towed and easy connection to the towing ship. At least one of the emergency towing arrangements shall be pre-rigged ready for rapid deployment; and
(ii)emergency towing arrangements at both ends shall be of adequate strength taking into account the size and deadweight of the ship, and the expected forces during bad weather conditions. The design and construction and prototype testing of the emergency towing arrangements shall be approved by the Director, based on the Guidelines developed by the Organization.
(c)  For tankers constructed before 1st July 2002, the design and construction of emergency towing arrangements shall be approved by the Director, based on the Guidelines developed by the Organization3.
3  Refer to the Guidelines on emergency towing arrangements for tankers adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee by resolution MSC.35(63), as may be amended.
Regulation 3-5

New Installation of Materials containing Asbestos

(a)  This Regulation shall apply to materials used for structure, machinery, electrical installations and equipment covered by the present Convention.
(b)  For all ships, new installation of materials which contain asbestos shall be prohibited except for:
(i)vanes used in rotary vane compressors and rotary vane vacuum pumps;
(ii)watertight joints and linings used for the circulation of fluids when, at high temperature (in excess of 350°C) or pressure (in excess of 7 X 106 Pa), there is a risk of fire, corrosion or toxicity; and
(iii)supple and flexible thermal insulation assemblies used for temperatures above 1,000°C.
Regulation 3-6

Access to and within Spaces in, and forward of, the Cargo Area of Oil Tankers and Bulk Carriers

(a)  Application
(i)This Regulation shall apply to —
(1)oil tankers of not less than 500 tons; and
(2)bulk carriers, as defined in Regulation 1 of Chapter IX, of not less than 20,000 tons,
that are constructed on or after 1st January 2006.
(ii)Oil tankers of not less than 500 tons; and bulk carriers, as defined in Regulation 1 of Chapter IX, of not less than 20,000 tons that are constructed on or after 1st January 2005 but before 1st January 2006 shall comply with Regulation 3-6 in force before 1st January 2006.
(iii)Regulation 12-2 of Chapter II-1 shall apply to oil tankers of not less than 500 tons that are constructed on or after 1st October 1994 but before 1st January 2005.
(b)  Means of access to cargo and other spaces
(i)Each space of a ship shall be provided with means of access to enable, throughout the life of the ship, overall and close-up inspections and thickness measurements of the ship’s structure to be carried out by —
(1)any authorised organisation, as defined in Regulation 2 of Chapter I;
(2)the Company, as defined in Regulation 1 of Chapter IX;
(3)the ship’s personnel; or
(4)other persons.
(ii)Each permanent means of access shall comply with —
(1)the requirements of paragraph (e);
(2)the technical provisions for means of access for inspections adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee by resolution MSC.158(78), as amended by any amendment made by the Organization that has been adopted and brought into force, and that has taken effect, in accordance with article VIII of the Convention concerning the amendment procedures applicable to the Annex other than Chapter I.
(iii)Where —
(1)a permanent means of access may be susceptible to damage during normal cargo loading and unloading operations; or
(2)it is impracticable to provide a permanent means of access,
the Director may allow a portable means of access that is specified in the technical provisions referred to in sub-paragraph (ii)(2) to be provided, in lieu of a permanent means of access, if the means of attaching, rigging, suspending or supporting the portable means of access forms a permanent part of the ship’s structure.
(iv)The equipment for providing a portable means of access shall be capable of being readily erected or deployed by the ship’s personnel.
(v)The construction and materials of each means of access, and the attachment of each means of access to the ship’s structure, shall be to the satisfaction of the Director.
(vi)Each means of access shall be subjected to a survey prior to, or in conjunction with, the use of the means of access in carrying out surveys in accordance with Regulation 10 of Chapter I.
(c)  Safe access to cargo holds, cargo tanks, ballast tanks and other spaces
(i)Safe access4 to any cargo hold, cargo tank, cofferdam, ballast tank or other space in the cargo area shall —
4  Refer to recommendations for entering enclosed spaces aboard ships adopted by the Organization by resolution A.864(20).
(1)be provided direct from the open deck; and
(2)be such as to allow the complete inspection of the cargo hold, cargo tank, cofferdam, ballast tank or space in the cargo area, as the case may be.
(ii)Safe access5 to any double bottom space or to forward ballast tanks may be provided from a pump-room, deep cofferdam, pipe tunnel, cargo hold, double hull space or any similar compartment not intended for the carriage of oil or hazardous cargoes.
5  Refer to recommendations for entering enclosed spaces aboard ships adopted by the Organization by resolution A.864(20).
(iii)Any tank or subdivision of a tank that is not less than 35 m in length shall be fitted with at least two access hatchways with ladders, which shall be located as far apart as practicable.
(iv)Any tank that is less than 35 m in length shall be fitted with at least one access hatchway with ladder.
(v)Where any tank is subdivided by any swash bulkhead or other similar obstruction which does not allow ready means of access throughout the tank, the tank shall be fitted with at least two access hatchways with ladders.
(vi)Each cargo hold shall be provided with at least two means of access, which —
(1)shall be located as far apart as practicable; and
(2)in general, should be arranged diagonally, for example, one near the forward bulkhead on the port side, and another near the aft bulkhead on the starboard side.
(d)  Ship structure access manual
(i)The means of access to carry out overall and close-up inspections and thickness measurements of a ship’s structure shall be described in a ship structure access manual approved by the Director, an updated copy of which shall be kept on board the ship.
(ii)The contents of a ship structure access manual shall include the following for each space:
(1)plans showing the means of access to the space, with the appropriate technical specifications and dimensions;
(2)plans showing the means of access within the space to enable an overall inspection to be carried out, with the appropriate technical specifications and dimensions, and indicating from where each area in the space can be inspected;
(3)plans showing the means of access within the space to enable a close-up inspection to be carried out, with the appropriate technical specifications and dimensions, and indicating the position of each critical structural area, whether each means of access is permanent or portable, and from where each area in the space can be inspected;
(4)instructions for inspecting and maintaining the structural strength of all means of access and all means of attachment, taking into account any corrosive atmosphere that may be within the space;
(5)instructions for safety guidance when rafting is used for close-up inspections and thickness measurements;
(6)instructions for the rigging and use of any portable means of access in a safe manner;
(7)an inventory of all portable means of access;
(8)records of periodical inspections and maintenance of all means of access.
(iii)In sub-paragraph (ii), “critical structural area” means an area within a ship which has been identified —
(1)from calculations, to require monitoring; or
(2)from the service history of similar or sister ships, to be sensitive to cracking, buckling, deformation or corrosion which would impair the structural integrity of the ship.
(e)  General technical specifications
(i)For access through horizontal openings, hatches or manholes, the dimensions shall be sufficient —
(1)to allow a person wearing a self-contained air-breathing apparatus and protective equipment to ascend or descend any ladder without obstruction; and
(2)to provide a clear opening of not less than 600 mm x 600 mm to facilitate the hoisting of an injured person from the bottom of the space.
(ii)Where access to a cargo hold is arranged through a cargo hatch, the top of the ladder shall be placed as close as possible to the hatch coaming.
(iii)Any access hatch coaming with a height greater than 900 mm shall have steps on the outside in conjunction with the ladder.
(iv)For access through vertical openings or manholes in swash bulkheads, floors, girders and web frames providing passage through the length and breadth of the space, the minimum opening shall —
(1)be not less than 600 mm x 800 mm; and
(2)be at a height of not more than 600 mm from the bottom shell plating, unless gratings or other footholds are provided.
(v)For oil tankers of less than 5,000 tonnes deadweight, the Director may approve smaller dimensions for an opening referred to in paragraph (e)(i) or (iv) if —
(1)there are special circumstances; and
(2)it is proved to the satisfaction of the Director that a person can traverse the opening, or that an injured person can be removed through the opening.
Regulation 3-7

Construction Drawings Maintained On Board and Ashore

(a)  A set of as-built construction drawings6 and other plans showing any subsequent structural alterations shall be kept on board a ship constructed on or after 1st January 2007.
6  Refer to MSC/Circ.1135 on As-built construction drawings to be maintained on board the ship and ashore.
(b)  An additional set of such drawings shall be kept ashore by the Company, as defined in Regulation 1 of Chapter IX.
Regulation 3-8 — Towing and Mooring Equipment7
7  Refer to MSC/Circ.1175 on Guidance on shipboard towing and mooring equipment
(a)  This Regulation applies to ships constructed on or after 1st January 2007, but does not apply to emergency towing arrangements provided in accordance with Regulation 3-4.
(b)  Ships shall be provided with arrangements, equipment and fittings of sufficient safe working load to enable the safe conduct of all towing and mooring operations associated with the normal operation of the ship.
(c)  Arrangements, equipment and fittings provided in accordance with paragraph (b) shall meet the appropriate requirements of the Director or an authorised organization.
(d)  Each fitting or item or equipment provided under this Regulation shall be clearly marked with any restriction associated with its safe operation, taking into account the strength of its attachment to the ship’s structure.”.
New Regulation 23-3 of Chapter II-1
3.  Chapter II-1 of the principal Regulations is amended by inserting, immediately after Regulation 23-2, the following Regulation:
“Regulation 23-3 — Water Level Detectors on Single Hold Cargo Ships other than Bulk Carriers
(a)Single hold cargo ships other than bulk carriers constructed before 1st January 2007 shall comply with the requirements of this Regulation not later than the date of the first intermediate or renewal survey of the ship to be carried out after 1st January 2007, whichever comes first.
(b)For the purpose of this Regulation, freeboard deck has the meaning defined in the International Convention on Load Lines in force.
(c)Ships having a length (L) of less than 80 m, or of 100 m or less if constructed before 1st July 1998, and a single cargo hold below the freeboard deck or cargo holds below the freeboard deck which are not separated by at least one bulkhead made watertight up to that deck, shall be fitted in such space or spaces with water level detectors8.
8  Refer to the Performance standards for water level detectors on bulk carriers and single hold cargo ships other than bulk carriers, adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee by resolution MSC.188(79).
(d)The water level detectors required by paragraph (c) shall —
(i)give an audible and visual alarm at the navigation bridge when the water level above the inner bottom in the cargo hold reaches a height of not less than 0.3 m, and another when such level reaches not more than 15% of the mean depth of the cargo hold; and
(ii)be fitted at the aft end of the hold, or above its lowest part where the inner bottom is not parallel to the designed waterline. Where webs or partial watertight bulkheads are fitted above the inner bottom, the Director may require the fitting of additional detectors.
(e)The water level detectors required by paragraph (c) need not be fitted in ships complying with Regulation 12 of Chapter XII, or in ships having watertight side compartments each side of the cargo hold length extending vertically at least from inner bottom to freeboard deck.”.
Amendment of Regulation 31 of Chapter II-1
4.  Regulation 31 of Chapter II-1 of the principal Regulations is amended —
(a)by deleting the semi-colon at the end of paragraph (b)(ix) and substituting a full-stop;
(b)by deleting sub-paragraph (x) of paragraph (b);
(c)by inserting, immediately after the word “following” in paragraph (e), the words “, except that ships constructed before 1st July 2004 need not comply with sub-paragraph (ii) (10)”; and
(d)by deleting the full-stop at the end of sub-paragraph (9) of paragraph (e)(ii) and substituting a semi-colon, and by inserting immediately thereafter the following sub-paragraph:
“(10)  automation systems shall be designed —
(A)to ensure that threshold warning of impending or imminent slowdown or shutdown of the propulsion system is given to the officer in charge of the navigational watch in time to assess navigational circumstances in an emergency; and
(B)in particular, to control, monitor and report on propulsion, to alert the officer in charge of the navigational watch to any change in propulsion, and to take safety action to slow down or stop propulsion, while providing the officer in charge of the navigational watch an opportunity to manually intervene, except where such manual intervention will result in the total failure of the engine, the propulsion equipment or both the engine and the propulsion equipment within a short time, for example, in the case of overspeed.”.
[G.N. Nos. S 287/99; S 40/2000; S 511/2000; S 533/2001; S 314/2002; S 613/2002, S 645/2003; S 217/2004; S 697/2005; S 282/2006]

Made this 22nd day of December 2006.

PETER ONG
Chairman,
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
[MPA 46/02.C02. V21/MM; AG/LEG/SL/179/2005/3 Vol. 2]
Singapore Statutes Online
© 2024 Attorney-General's Chambers of Singapore,
Last updated 24 Apr 2024
Singapore Statutes Online is provided by the Legislation Division of the Attorney-General's Chambers of Singapore.