Escape route signs and equipment location markings

IMO Assembly 30 adopted Resolution A.1116(30) - Escape route signs and equipment location markings, which harmonizes the requirements of SOLAS Regulations II-2/13, III/9, III/11 and III/20.

The IMO Assembly 30 recognizing the need for uniform international symbols to indicate the location of emergency equipment as well as muster stations and to ensure that the symbols used, adopted the Resolution A.1116(30) – “Escape route signs and equipment location markings”. The Assembly noted that, through the Shipboard escape route signs and emergency equipment location markings (MSC.1/Circ.1553), Contracting Governments had been invited to bring standard ISO 24409-2:2014, which generally conforms to the corresponding symbols set out in the annex to resolution A.760(18) on Symbols related to life-saving appliances and arrangements, as amended, and in the annex to resolution A.952(23) on Graphical symbols for fire control plans, to the attention of ship designers, shipbuilders, shipowners, ship operators, ship masters, shore-based firefighting personnel and other parties concerned, so that they might use it, on a voluntary basis, for shipboard signage, in compliance with the relevant requirements of SOLAS chapters II-2 and III. The escape route signs and equipment location markings take effect on all ships constructed on or after 1 January 2019 or ships which undergo repairs, alterations, modifications and outfitting within the scope of SOLAS chapters II-2 and/or III, as applicable, on or after 1 January 2019, and that they should be used, as appropriate, in combination with Resolution A.952(23) for the preparation of the shipboard fire control plans required by SOLAS regulation II-2/15.2.4.

Shipowners / Managers / Operators should take into consideration the adopted Resolution when drawing up fire control plans for their fleet.

Amendments to the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual

The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), at its 99th session, adopted the Amendments in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Procedures for amending and updating the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual. The Committee agreed that the amendments should become applicable on July 01, 2019. SOLAS regulation V/21 requires all ships to carry an up-to-date copy of IAMSAR Manual Volume III. A new point 1.8 has been included in the Manual for the search and rescue operations (SAR) by maritime rescue services in time of armed conflict. Recognizing the important role search and rescue operations play in implementing its provisions, GC II extends protection to small coastal rescue craft and fixed coastal rescue installations used by such craft, such as rescue coordination centres, repair boats, sickbays and hangars for their humanitarian mission, including for SAR operations concerning civilians. Such craft and their associated fixed coastal rescue installations, when employed by a State that is party to a conflict (whether by its armed forces or by civilian governmental agencies) or by officially recognized lifeboat institutions (i.e. the institution must have been approved or authorized by a governmental authority or other public body to perform coastal rescue functions, which presupposes the existence of a legal or administrative framework in the State in which the lifeboat institution operates to provide for its prior approval or authorization in peacetime) "shall be respected and protected, that is, may not be attacked, captured or otherwise prevented from performing their humanitarian tasks, so far as operational requirements permit". Act now, you should take into consideration the Amendments to the IAMSAR Manual and ensure the updated version shall exist on board their vessels when published.