Breathing apparatus cylinders used during drills - 30.04.2014

As of July 1, 2014 all new and existing cargo ships as well as passenger ships of 500 GT and above shall be provided with means of recharging cylinders of air breathing apparatuses or a suitable number of spare cylinders used for training purposes.

MSC 90 adopted the suggestion of FP 55 for the amendment of SOLAS Regulation II-2/15. A new paragraph has been added to regulation 15 requiring that all cargo and passenger ships of 500 GT and above to be provided with:
 an on board means of recharging breathing apparatus cylinders used during drills; or
 a suitable number of spare cylinders to be carried on board to replace those used during
drills.

The new paragraph has been adopted through MSC.338(91) and does not identify the minimum
number of spare cylinders to be carried on board in order to be considered as “suitable” and therefore,
comply with the new requirement.

Act now
Owners / Operators / Managers shall consult with the flag Administration the ship is flying for what a
“suitable” number is considered to be. Note that various flag Administrations may have different
requirements.
Applicability    

Regulation	Ship type/GT	Date of entry into force
Reg. II-2/15	New & Existing CARGO ships above 500 GT	1July 2014
Reg. II-2/15	New & Existing PASSENGER ships above 500 GT	1July 2014