1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its ninety-seventh session (21 to 25 November
2016), adopted amendments to SOLAS
regulations II-2/1 and II-2/10, by resolution MSC.409(97).
2 The entry-into-force date of the aforementioned amendments is 1 January 2020.
3 In adopting the amendments to the above-mentioned regulations, the Committee, at
its ninety-eighth session (7 to 16 June 2017), having considered the need for their
voluntary early implementation, in accordance with the Guidelines on the
voluntary early implementation of amendments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention and related mandatory instruments
(MSC.1/Circ.1565), agreed to invite the Contracting Governments to the International
Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended, to implement them prior
to the entry-into-force date.
4 Voluntary early implementation should be communicated by a Contracting Government
to the Organization for dissemination through GISIS.
5 In addition to the aforementioned communication, a Contracting Government may also
consider the use of the existing provisions for equivalent arrangements under SOLAS
regulation I/5 to cover the interim period between the date of the voluntary early
implementation and the entry-into-force date of the amendments.
6 A Contracting Government, in line with paragraph 1.2.3 of the Procedures for
Port State Control, 2011 (resolution A.1052(27)), as may be amended,
when acting as a port State, should refrain from enforcing its decision to
voluntarily early implement the amendments to SOLAS
regulations II-2/1 and II-2/10 to ships entitled to fly the flag of other
Contracting Governments, calling at its ports.
7 The Contracting Governments, when undertaking port State control activities, should
take into account the present invitation and any subsequent notifications
communicated by other Contracting Governments through GISIS.
8 Contracting Governments are invited to be guided accordingly and to bring the
contents of this circular to the attention of all concerned, especially port State
control authorities and recognized organizations.