1 The Maritime Safety Committee (the Committee),
at its eighty-first session (10 to 19 May 2006), noted that in a number
of cases special purpose ships, as defined in the Code of safety for
special purpose shipsfootnote, of 500 gross
tonnage and upwards engaged on international voyages were not required
to comply with the provisions of SOLAS chapter
XI-2 and part A of the ISPS
Code.
2 The Committee agreed that special purpose ships,
other than those owned or operated by a SOLAS Contracting Government
and used only on Government non-commercial service, of 500 gross tonnage
and upwards engaged on international voyages and the port facilities
which they serve them shall be required to comply with the provisions
of SOLAS chapter XI-2 and part A of the ISPS Code.
3 The Committee recognized that immediate compliance
of the special purpose ships which had not been required to comply
with the provisions of SOLAS chapter XI-2 and part A of the ISPS Code would present practical
difficulties and would affect the owners and the Companies operating
such ships and the port facilities serving them. As a result the Committee
adopted the Interim Scheme for the compliance of special purpose ships
with the Special measures to enhance maritime security (the Interim
Scheme) as set out at annex.
4 The Committee also agreed that the special purpose
ships shall be subject to Control and compliance measures pursuant
to the provisions of SOLAS regulation
XI-2/9 and the term “ship” in the aforesaid regulation
shall be construed as including also special purpose ships.
5
SOLAS Contracting Governments
are invited to bring the Interim Scheme to the attention of owners
and of Companies operating special purpose ships entitled to fly their
flag as well as to the attention of Designated Authorities, port facility
owners and operators and port facility security officers and to request
the latter to respond positively when special purpose ships request
the conclusion of a Declaration of Security.
6
SOLAS Contracting Governments,
international organizations and non-governmental organizations with
consultative status which encounter difficulties with the implementation
of the Interim Scheme should bring, at the earliest opportunity, the
matter to the attention of the Committee for consideration of actions
to be taken.