ICOMIA publishes a report from the IMO’s latest Navigation, Communication and Search and Rescue (NCSR) sub-committee meeting

Published on: 21 July 2022

The IMO (International Maritime Organisation) held its 8th session of the Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communication and Search and Rescue (NCSR) virtually between 21-30 June 2022. An ICOMIA (International Council of Marine Industry Associations) representative attends these meetings and has now released a report highlighting the key points that affect our members, in particular in the superyacht industry. This report and its supporting documents are available to British Marine members to download from the BM website here.

The principal items of interest to the superyacht industry discussed in the meeting are:

Polar Code - non-SOLAS Ships: The Sub-Committee agreed to the draft amendments to SOLAS chapter XIV and the Polar Code parts I-A and I-B. These regulations apply to non-SOLAS vessels as follows:

• Fishing vessels of 24 metres in length overall and above
• Pleasure yachts of 300 gross tonnage and upwards not engaged in trade
• Cargo ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards but below 500 gross tonnage

The draft amendments to the Polar Code submitted by the correspondence group in annex 1 of NCSR 9/6 included the following new paragraph:

"2 Notwithstanding paragraph 1 above, the Administration shall determine to what extent the provisions of chapter 9-1 regulations 9-1.3.1, 9-1.3.2.1.1, 9-1.3.2.1.2, 9-1.3.2.1.3, 9-1.3.2.1.4.1, 9-1.3.2.1.4.2, 9-1.3.2.2.1, and 9-1.3.2.2.2 do not apply to fishing vessels of 24 metres in length overall and above."

Which has subsequently been updated to the following:

"2 Notwithstanding paragraph 1 above, the Administration shall determine to what extent the provisions of chapter 9-1 regulations 9-1.3.1, 9-1.3.2.1.1, 9-1.3.2.1.2, 9-1.3.2.1.3, 9-1.3.2.1.4.1, 9-1.3.2.1.4.2, 9-1.3.2.2.1 and 9-1.3.2.2.2 do not apply to fishing vessels of 24 metres of length overall and above and ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards but below 500 gross tonnage not engaged in international voyages."

The amendments to SOLAS chapter XIV and the Polar Code parts I-A and I-B can be found in annexes 1,2 and 3 respectively of the report of the Navigation working group in attached document NCSR 9/WP.6. The draft amendments will go to MSC 106 in November and are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2026.

Revision of the guidelines on places of refuge for ships in need of assistance (resolution A.949(23)) - It may be recalled that previously, the Sub-Committee agreed that a revision to the guidelines on places of refuge for ships in need of assistance, which were adopted in 2003 (resolution A.949(23)), were required following maritime incidents in waters outside of any national jurisdiction (e.g. MSC Flaminia, 2012). The intention of the guidelines is to provide guidance when a ship is in need of assistance but safety of life is not involved (when safety of life is involved, SAR provisions should be followed).

During this session, the sub-committee finalised the draft revision of resolution A.949(23) and this can be found at annex 5 of the report of the Navigation working group. The draft resolution contains guidance on:

• Coordination and cooperation between coastal states involved in any given incident
• Designation of one national competent authority to avoid confusion and delay in decision making
• Updating of processes, communication and reporting procedures including the handover of an incident to a neighbouring state.
• Media and information handling

The draft guidelines will be submitted to MSC 106, MEPC 79 and LEG 110 for approval. It is expected that the guidelines will be adopted at Assembly 33 in December 2023.

Revision of ECDIS guidance for good practice (MSC.1/Circ.1503/Rev.1) and amendments to ECDIS performance standards (Resolution MSC.232(82)) - The sub-committee agreed to the draft MSC circular on "ECDIS Guidance for good practice", to be issued as MSC.1/Circ.1503/Rev.2.

The revisions to the guidance are intended to clarify the procedure for updating ECDIS in order to demonstrate ongoing compliance. This is contained in Part C - "Onboard ECDIS updates". Amendments were also made to Part D "Operating Anomalies Identified with ECDIS". The aim of this section is to ensure that manufacturers are aware of their responsibility to notify users of any reported anomalies in their systems. The draft circular which can be found at annex 6 of the report of the Navigation working group will be submitted to MSC 106 for approval.

The sub-committee approved the draft MSC resolution MSC.232(82) on revised performance standards for electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS)". The revisions included:

• The introduction of the next technical generation of Electronic Navigational Charts (S-101 ENC)
• Inclusion of references to the Product Specification for S-101 ENCS and the underlying S-100 framework.

The draft amendments, which can be found at annex 7 of the report of the Navigation working group, will go to MSC 106 for approval and subsequent adoption.

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