RECALLING Article 15(j) of the Convention on the International
Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Assembly in
relation to regulations and guidelines concerning maritime safety.
NOTING that several ro-ro passenger ships have been subjected
to serious casualties some of which have resulted in severe loss of
life,
NOTING ALSO that not all safety incidents on ro-ro ships
have been reported to the appropriate authorities,
CONVINCED that the safety of ro-ro passenger ships would
be improved by increasing the number and extent of surveys and inspections
carried out on such ships,
HAVING CONSIDERED the recommendation made by the Maritime
Safety Committee at its sixty-fifth session,
1. URGES Administrations to conduct, or arrange
for the conduct of, unscheduled inspections of ro-ro passenger ships
in addition to the renewal and periodical surveys required by the
relevant international conventions in force;
2. RECOMMENDS that such unscheduled inspections
should, in particular, address aspects of operational nature such
as familiarization and effectiveness of crew members with regard to
safety procedures, emergency procedures, maintenance, safe manning,
working practices, passenger safety, bridge procedures and cargo and
vehicle related operations;
3. FURTHER URGES Governments to ensure that they
are promptly made aware of any damage to, or permanent deflection
of, shell doors and associated hull plating that may affect the integrity
of ro-ro ships and of any deficiencies in the securing arrangements
of such doors;
4. REQUESTS the Maritime Safety Committee to develop,
as a matter of urgency, guidelines for unscheduled inspections of
ro-ro passenger ships, taking into account the guidelines existing
and presently being developed by recognized organizations.