4.1 The assessment of ship systems' capabilities
should follow the process described in these Interim Explanatory Notes
and refer to appendix 2. The assessment should be based on structured
methods and should document the intended essential systems functionality
after a fire or flooding casualty defined by SOLAS regulations II-1/8-1,
II-2/21 and II-2/22. An example of the development
of an assessment is given in appendix 3.
4.2 Each assessment should be divided in two steps.
4.2.1 The first step is an overall systems' assessment.
The systems' assessment is addressing all essential systems and functional
requirements mentioned in SOLAS regulations
II-2/21 and II-2/22.
This step should include a structured assessment of all essential
systems after a fire or flooding casualty, as defined in SOLAS regulations II-1/8-1.2,
II-2/21.4 or II-2/22.3.1. Propulsion and steering
systems are required to remain in operational and may not be identified
as "critical systems". However, manual intervention may be accepted
in order to make these systems available in the minimum possible time.
4.2.2 The second step is a detailed assessment
of critical systems identified in the systems' assessment. The detailed
assessment is only required if any critical system was identified
in the previous systems' assessment.
4.3
SOLAS regulations
II-1/8-1, II-2/21 and 22 do not include reference to quantities
or performance limits. The ability of the ship to return to port should
be linked to the area and conditions of operation. The capability
available for each system in the worst case (e.g., minimum propulsion
power for return to port, electrical generating capacity, heating
capacity, ventilation capacity, food and water storage/availability,
etc.) should be included in the onboard documentation as a part of
the assessment report (see paragraph 7.4).