1 Preamble
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC.1/Circular.1380 – Guidance for Watertight Doors on Passenger Ships Which May be Opened During Navigation – (10 December 2010) - Annex – Guidance for Watertight Doors on Passenger Ships Which may be Opened During Navigation - 1 Preamble

1 Preamble

  1.1 Watertight subdivision is vital to ship stability and survivability to protect life, property and the marine environment in cases of hull damage after collision or grounding. The number of openings in watertight bulkheads on passenger ships is to be kept to a minimum in accordance with SOLAS regulation II-1/13.1 (previous SOLAS regulation II-1/15.1).

  1.2 In order to maintain watertight subdivision, while allowing for the safe and effective operation of the ship, all watertight doors are to be kept closed during navigation, except in certain limited circumstances. SOLAS regulation II-1/22.3 (previous SOLAS regulation II-1/15.9.2), allows a watertight door to be temporarily opened to permit the passage of passengers or crew, or when work in the immediate vicinity of the door necessitates it being opened. In this case, the door must be immediately closed when transit through the door is complete or the work is finished. Additionally, SOLAS regulation II-1/22.4 (previous SOLAS regulation II-1/15.9.3) permits certain watertight doors to remain open during navigation but only if considered absolutely necessary to the safe and effective operation of the ship's machinery or to permit passengers normally unrestricted access throughout the passenger area. This determination is made by the Administration after careful consideration of the impact on ship operations and survivability.

  1.3 SOLAS chapter II-1 regulations, referred to in this Guidance, means SOLAS chapter II-1 regulations amended by resolution MSC.216(82) (entered into force on 1 January 2009); and previous SOLAS chapter II-1 regulations means regulations amended by resolution MSC.13(57) (entered into force on 1 February 1992) and by other amendments afterwards.

Parent topic: Annex – Guidance for Watertight Doors on Passenger Ships Which may be Opened During Navigation
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