Sch 4Safety Convention

Schedule 4 — Safety Convention **INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA, 1974** *General Obligations under the Convention* (a) The Contracting Governments undertake to give effect to the provisions of the present Convention and the Annex thereto, which shall constitute an integral part of the present Convention. Every reference to the present Convention constitutes at the same time a reference to the Annex (b) The Contracting Governments undertake to promulgate all laws, decrees, orders and regulations and to take all other steps which may be necessary to give the present Convention full and complete effect, so as to ensure that, from the point of view of safety of life, a ship is fit for the service for which it is intended. The present Convention shall apply to ships entitled to fly the flag of States the Governments of which are Contracting Governments. *Laws, Regulations* The Contracting Governments undertake to communicate to and deposit with the Secretary‑General of the Inter‑Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (hereinafter referred to as “the Organization”): (a) a list of non‑governmental agencies which are authorized to act in their behalf in the administration of measures for safety of life at sea for circulation to the Contracting Governments for the information of their officers; (b) the text of laws, decrees, orders and regulations which shall have been promulgated on the various matters within the scope of the present Convention; (c) a sufficient number of specimens of their Certificates issued under the provisions of the present Convention for circulation to the Contracting Governments for the information of their officers. *Cases of Force Majeure* (a) A ship, which is not subject to the provisions of the present Convention at the time of its departure on any voyage, shall not become subject to the provisions of the present Convention on account of any deviation from its intended voyage due to stress of weather or any other cause of *force majeure*. (b) Persons who are on board a ship by reason of *force majeure* or in consequence of the obligation laid upon the master to carry shipwrecked or other persons shall not be taken into account for the purpose of ascertaining the application to a ship of any provisions of the present Convention. *Carriage of Persons in Emergency* (a) For the purpose of evacuating persons in order to avoid a threat to the security of their lives a Contracting Government may permit the carriage of a larger number of persons in its ships than is otherwise permissible under the present Convention. (b) Such permission shall not deprive other Contracting Governments of any right of control under the present Convention over such ships which come within their ports. (c) Notice of any such permission, together with a statement of the circumstances, shall be sent to the Secretary‑General of the Organization by the Contracting Government granting such permission. *Prior Treaties and Conventions* (a) As between the Contracting Governments, the present Convention replaces and abrogates the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea which was signed in London on 17 June 1960. (b) All other treaties, conventions and arrangements relating to safety of life at sea, or matters appertaining thereto, at present in force between Governments parties to the present Convention shall continue to have full and complete effect during the terms thereof as regards: (i) ships to which the present Convention does not apply; (ii) ships to which the present Convention applies, in respect of matters for which it has not expressly provided. (c) To the extent, however, that such treaties, conventions or arrangements conflict with the provisions of the present Convention, the provisions of the present Convention shall prevail. (d) All matters which are not expressly provided for in the present Convention remain subject to the legislation of the Contracting Governments. *Special Rules drawn up by Agreement* When in accordance with the present Convention special rules are drawn up by agreement between all or some of the Contracting Governments, such rules shall be communicated to the Secretary‑General of the Organization for circulation to all Contracting Governments. *Amendments* (a) The present Convention may be amended by either of the procedures specified in the following paragraphs. (b) Amendments after consideration within the Organization: (i) Any amendment proposed by a Contracting Government shall be submitted to the Secretary‑General of the Organization, who shall then circulate it to all Members of the Organization and all Contracting Governments at least six months prior to its consideration. (ii) Any amendment proposed and circulated as above shall be referred to the Maritime Safety Committee of the Organization for consideration. (iii) Contracting Governments of States, whether or not Members of the Organization, shall be entitled to participate in the proceedings of the Maritime Safety Committee for the consideration and adoption of amendments. (iv) Amendments shall be adopted by a two‑thirds majority of the Contracting Governments present and voting in the Maritime Safety Committee expanded as provided for in sub‑paragraph (iii) of this paragraph (hereinafter referred to as “the expanded Maritime Safety Committee”) on condition that at least one‑third of the Contracting Governments shall be present at the time of voting. (v) Amendments adopted in accordance with sub‑paragraph (iv) of this paragraph shall be communicated by the Secretary‑General of the Organization to all Contracting Governments for acceptance. (vi) (1) An amendment to an Article of the Convention or to Chapter I of the Annex shall be deemed to have been accepted on the date on which it is accepted by two‑thirds of the Contracting Governments. (2) An amendment to the Annex other than Chapter I shall be deemed to have been accepted: (aa) at the end of two years from the date on which it is communicated to Contracting Governments for acceptance; or (bb) at the end of a different period, which shall not be less than one year, if so determined at the time of its adoption by a two‑thirds majority of the Contracting Governments present and voting in the expanded Maritime Safety Committee. However, if within the specified period either more than one‑third of Contracting Governments, or Contracting Governments the combined merchant fleets of which constitute not less than fifty per cent of the gross tonnage of the world’s merchant fleet, notify the Secretary‑General of the Organization that they object to the amendment, it shall be deemed not to have been accepted. (vii) (1) An amendment to an Article of the Convention or to Chapter I of the Annex shall enter into force with respect to those Contracting Governments which have accepted it, six months after the date on which it is deemed to have been accepted and with respect to each Contracting Government which accepts it after that date, six months after the date of that Contracting Government’s acceptance. (2) An amendment to the Annex other than Chapter I shall enter into force with respect to all Contracting Governments, except those which have objected to the amendment under sub‑paragraph (vi)(2) of this paragraph and which have not withdrawn such objections, six months after the date on which it is deemed to have been accepted. However, before the date set for entry into force, any Contracting Government may give notice to the Secretary‑General of the Organization that it exempts itself from giving effect to that amendment for a period not longer than one year from the date of its entry into force, or for such longer period as may be determined by a two‑thirds majority of the Contracting Governments present and voting in the expanded Maritime Safety Committee at the time of the adoption of the amendment. (c) Amendment by a Conference: (i) Upon the request of a Contracting Government concurred in by at least one‑third of the Contracting Governments, the Organization shall convene a Conference of Contracting Governments to consider amendments to the present Convention. (ii) Every amendment adopted by such a Conference by a two‑thirds majority of the Contracting Governments present and voting shall be communicated by the Secretary‑General of the Organization to all Contracting Governments for acceptance. (iii) Unless the Conference decides otherwise, the amendment shall be deemed to have been accepted and shall enter into force in accordance with the procedures specified in sub‑paragraph (b)(vi) and (b)(vii) respectively of this Article, provided that references in these paragraphs to the expanded Maritime Safety Committee shall be taken to mean references to the Conference. (d) (i) A Contracting Government which has accepted an amendment to the Annex which has entered into force shall not be obliged to extend the benefit of the present Convention in respect of the certificates issued to a ship entitled to fly the flag of a State the Government of which, pursuant to the provisions of sub‑paragraph (b)(vi)(2) of this Article, has objected to the amendment and has not withdrawn such an objection, but only to the extent that such certificates relate to matters covered by the amendment in question. (ii) A Contracting Government which has accepted an amendment to the Annex which has entered into force shall extend the benefit of the present Convention in respect of the certificates issued to a ship entitled to fly the flag of a State the Government of which, pursuant to the provisions of sub‑paragraph (b)(vii)(2) of this Article, has notified the Secretary‑General of the Organization that it exempts itself from giving effect to the amendment. (e) Unless expressly provided otherwise, any amendment to the present Convention made under this Article, which relates to the structure of a ship, shall apply only to ships the keels of which are laid or which are at a similar stage of construction on or after the date on which the amendment enters into force. (f) Any declaration of acceptance of, or objection to, an amendment or any notice given under sub‑paragraph (b)(vii)(2) of this Article shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary‑General of the Organization, who shall inform all Contracting Governments of any such submission and the date of its receipt. (g) The Secretary‑General of the Organization shall inform all Contracting Governments of any amendments which enter into force under this Article, together with the date on which each such amendment enters into force. (a) The present Convention shall remain open for signature at the Headquarters of the Organization from 1 November 1974 until 1 July 1975 and shall thereafter remain open for accession. States may become parties to the present Convention by: (i) signature without reservation as to ratification, acceptance or approval; or (ii) signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, followed by ratification, acceptance or approval; or (iii) accession. (b) Ratification, acceptance, approval or accession shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument to that effect with the Secretary‑General of the Organization. (c) The Secretary‑General of the Organization shall inform the Governments of all States which have signed the present Convention or acceded to it of any signature or of the deposit of any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession and the date of its deposit. ARTICLE X *Entry into Force* (a) The present Convention shall enter into force twelve months after the date on which not less than twenty‑five States, the combined merchant fleets of which constitute not less than fifty per cent of the gross tonnage of the world’s merchant shipping, have become parties to it in accordance with Article IX. (b) Any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession deposited after the date on which the present Convention enters into force shall take effect three months after the date of deposit. (c) After the date on which an amendment to the present Convention is deemed to have been accepted under Article VIII, any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession deposited shall apply to the Convention as amended. ARTICLE XI (a) The present Convention may be denounced by any Contracting Government at any time after the expiry of five years from the date on which the Convention enters into force for that Government. (b) Denunciation shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument of denunciation with the Secretary‑General of the Organization who shall notify all the other Contracting Governments of any instrument of denunciation received and of the date of its receipt as well as the date on which such denunciation takes effect. (c) A denunciation shall take effect one year, or such longer period as may be specified in the instrument of denunciation, after its receipt by the Secretary‑General of the Organization. ARTICLE XII *Deposit and Registration* (a) The present Convention shall be deposited with the Secretary‑General of the Organization who shall transmit certified true copies thereof to the Governments of all States which have signed the present Convention or acceded to it. (b) As soon as the present Convention enters into force, the text shall be transmitted by the Secretary‑General of the Organization to the Secretary‑General of the United Nations for registration and publication, in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations. ARTICLE XIII The present Convention is established in a single copy in the Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish languages, each text being equally authentic. Official translations in the Arabic, German and Italian languages shall be prepared and deposited with the signed original. ANNEX **CHAPTER I** **GENERAL PROVISIONS** PART A — APPLICATION, DEFINITIONS, ETC. (a) Unless expressly provided otherwise, the present Regulations apply only to ships engaged on international voyages. (b) The classes of ships to which each Chapter applies are more precisely defined, and the extent of the application is shown, in each Chapter. For the purpose of the present Regulations, unless expressly provided otherwise: (a) “Regulations ” means the Regulations contained in the Annex to the present Convention. (b) “Administration” means the Government of the State whose flag the ship is entitled to fly. (c) “Approved” means approved by the Administration. (d) “International voyage” means a voyage from a country to which the present Convention applies to a port outside such country, or conversely. (e) A passenger is every person other than: (i) the master and the members of the crew or other persons employed or engaged in any capacity on board a ship on the business of that ship; and (ii) a child under one year of age. (f) A passenger ship is a ship which carries more than twelve passengers. (g) A cargo ship is any ship which is not a passenger ship. (h) A tanker is a cargo ship constructed or adapted for the carriage in bulk of liquid cargoes of an inflammable * nature. (i) A fishing vessel is a vessel used for catching fish, whales, seals, walrus or other living resources of the sea. (j) A nuclear ship is a ship provided with a nuclear power plant. (k) “New ship” means a ship the keel of which is laid or which is at a similar stage of construction on or after the date of coming into force of the present Convention. (l) “Existing ship” means a ship which is not a new ship. (m) A mile is 1,852 metres or 6,080 feet. * “Inflammable” has the same meaning as “flammable” *Exceptions* (a) The present Regulations, unless expressly provided otherwise, do not apply to: (i) Ships of war and troopships. (ii) Cargo ships of less than 500 tons gross tonnage. (iii) Ships not propelled by mechanical means. (iv) Wooden ships of primitive build. (v) Pleasure yachts not engaged in trade. (vi) Fishing vessels. (b) Except as expressly provided in Chapter V, nothing herein shall apply to ships solely navigating the Great Lakes of North America and the River St. Lawrence as far east as a straight line drawn from Cap des Rosiers to West Point, Anticosti Island and, on the north side of Anticosti Island, the 63rd Meridian. *Exemptions* (a) A ship which is not normally engaged on international voyages but which, in exceptional circumstances, is required to undertake a single international voyage may be exempted by the Administration from any of the requirements of the present Regulations provided that it complies with safety requirements which are adequate in the opinion of the Administration for the voyage which is to be undertaken by the ship. (b) The Administration may exempt any ship which embodies features of a novel kind from any of the provisions of Chapters II‑1, II‑2, III and IV of these Regulations the application of which might seriously impede research into the development of such features and their incorporation in ships engaged on international voyages. Any such ship shall, however, comply with safety requirements which, in the opinion of that Administration, are adequate for the service for which it is intended and are such as to ensure the overall safety of the ship and which are acceptable to the Governments of the States to be visited by the ship. The Administration which allows any such exemption shall communicate to the Organization particulars of same and the reasons therefor which the Organization shall circulate to the Contracting Governments for their information. *Equivalents* (a) Where the present Regulations require that a particular fitting, material, appliance or apparatus, or type thereof, shall be fitted or carried in a ship, or that any particular provision shall be made, the Administration may allow any other fitting, material, appliance or apparatus, or type thereof, to be fitted or carried, or any other provision to be made in that ship, if it is satisfied by trial thereof or otherwise that such fitting, material, appliance or apparatus, or type thereof, or provision, is at least as effective as that required by the present Regulations. (b) Any Administration which so allows, in substitution, a fitting, material, appliance or apparatus, or type thereof, or provision, shall communicate to the Organization particulars thereof together with a report on any trials made and the Organization shall circulate such particulars to other Contracting Governments for the information of their officers. **CHAPTER V** **SAFETY OF NAVIGATION** This Chapter, unless otherwise expressly provided in this Chapter, applies to all ships on all voyages, except ships of war and ships solely navigating the Great Lakes of North America and their connecting and tributary waters as far east as the lower exit of the St. Lambert Lock at Montreal in the Province of Quebec, Canada. *Danger Messages* (a) The master of every ship which meets with dangerous ice, a dangerous derelict, or any other direct danger to navigation, or a tropical storm, or encounters sub‑freezing air temperatures associated with gale force winds causing severe ice accretion on superstructures, or winds of force 10 or above on the Beaufort scale for which no storm warning has been received, is bound to communicate the information by all the means at his disposal to ships in the vicinity, and also to the competent authorities at the first point on the coast with which he can communicate. The form in which the information is sent is not obligatory. It may be transmitted either in plain language (preferably English) or by means of the International Code of Signals. It should be broadcast to all ships in the vicinity and sent to the first point on the coast to which communication can be made, with a request that it be transmitted to the appropriate authorities. (b) Each Contracting Government will take all steps necessary to ensure that when intelligence of any of the dangers specified in paragraph (a) of this Regulation is received, it will be promptly brought to the knowledge of those concerned and communicated to other interested Governments. (c) The transmission of messages respecting the dangers specified is free of cost to the ships concerned. (d) All radio messages issued under paragraph (a) of this Regulation shall be preceded by the Safety Signal, using the procedure as prescribed by the Radio Regulations as defined in Regulation 2 of Chapter IV. *Information required in Danger Messages* The following information is required in danger messages: (a) *Ice, Derelicts and other Direct Dangers to Navigation* (i) The kind of ice, derelict or danger observed. (ii) The position of the ice, derelict or danger when last observed. (iii) The time and date (Greenwich Mean Time) when danger last observed. (b) *Tropical Storms* (Hurricanes in the West Indies, Typhoons in the China Sea, Cyclones in Indian waters, and storms of a similar nature in other regions) (i) A statement that a tropical storm has been encountered. This obligation should be interpreted in a broad spirit, and information transmitted whenever the master has good reason to believe that a tropical storm is developing or exists in his neighbourhood. (ii) Time, date (Greenwich Mean Time) and position of ship when the observation was taken. (iii) As much of the following information as is practicable should be included in the message: — barometric pressure, preferably corrected (stating millibars, millimetres, or inches, and whether corrected or uncorrected); — barometric tendency (the change in barometric pressure during the past three hours); — true wind direction; — wind force (Beaufort scale); — state of the sea (smooth, moderate, rough, high); — swell (slight, moderate, heavy) and the true direction from which it comes. Period or length of swell (short, average, long) would also be of value; — true course and speed of ship. (c) *Subsequent Observations* When a master has reported a tropical or other dangerous storm, it is desirable, but not obligatory, that further observations be made and transmitted hourly, if practicable, but in any case at intervals of not more than three hours, so long as the ship remains under the influence of the storm. (d) *Winds of force 10 or above on the Beaufort scale for which no storm warning has been received* This is intended to deal with storms other than the tropical storms referred to in paragraph (b) of this Regulation; when such a storm is encountered, the message should contain similar information to that listed under that paragraph but excluding the details concerning sea and swell. (e) *Sub‑freezing air temperatures associated with gale force winds causing severe ice accretion on superstructures* (i) Time and date (Greenwich Mean Time). (ii) Air temperature. (iii) Sea temperature (if practicable). (iv) Wind force and direction. *Examples* *Ice* TTT Ice. Large berg sighted in 4605 N., 4410 W., at 0800 GMT. May 15. *Derelicts* TTT Derelict. Observed derelict almost submerged in 4006 N., 1243 W., at 1630 GMT. April 21. *Danger to Navigation* TTT Navigation. Alpha lightship not on station. 1800 GMT. January 3. *Tropical Storm* TTT Storm. 0030 GMT. August 18. 2004 N., 11354 E. Barometer corrected 994 millibars, tendency down 6 millibars. Wind NW., force 9, heavy squalls. Heavy easterly swell. Course 067, 5 knots. TTT Storm. Appearances indicate approach of hurricane. 1300 GMT. September 14. 2200 N., 7236 W. Barometer corrected 29.64 inches, tendency down .015 inches. Wind NE., force 8, frequent rain squalls. Course 035, 9 knots. TTT Storm. Conditions indicate intense cyclone has formed. 0200 GMT. May 4. 1620 N., 9203 E. Barometer uncorrected 753 millimetres, tendency down 5 millimetres. Wind S. by W., force 5. Course 300, 8 knots. TTT Storm. Typhoon to southeast. 0300 GMT. June 12. 1812 N., 12605 E. Barometer falling rapidly. Wind increasing from N. TTT Storm. Wind force 11, no storm warning received. 0300 GMT. May 4. 4830 N., 30 W. Barometer corrected 983 millibars, tendency down 4 millibars. Wind S.W., force 11 veering. Course 260, 6 knots. *Icing* TTT experiencing severe icing. 1400 GMT. March 2. 69 N., 10 W. Air temperature 18. Sea temperature 29. Wind NE., force 8. *Meteorological Services* (a) The Contracting Governments undertake to encourage the collection of meteorological data by ships at sea and to arrange for their examination, dissemination and exchange in the manner most suitable for the purpose of aiding navigation. Administrations shall encourage the use of instruments of a high degree of accuracy, and shall facilitate the checking of such instruments upon request. (b) In particular, the Contracting Governments undertake to co‑operate in carrying out, as far as practicable, the following meteorological arrangements: (i) To warn ships of gales, storms and tropical storms, both by the issue of radio messages and by the display of appropriate signals at coastal points. (ii) To issue daily, by radio, weather bulletins suitable for shipping, containing data of existing weather, waves and ice, forecasts and, where practicable, sufficient additional information to enable simple weather charts to be prepared at sea and also to encourage the transmission of suitable facsimile weather charts. (iii) To prepare and issue such publications as may be necessary for the efficient conduct of meteorological work at sea and to arrange, if practicable, for the publication and making available of daily weather charts for the information of departing ships. (iv) To arrange for selected ships to be equipped with tested instruments (such as a barometer, a barograph, a psychrometer, and suitable apparatus for measuring sea temperature) for use in this service, and to take meteorological observations at main standard times for surface synoptic observations (at least four times daily, whenever circumstances permit) and to encourage other ships to take observations in a modified form, particularly when in areas where shipping is sparse; these ships to transmit their observations by radio for the benefit of the various official meteorological services, repeating the information for the benefit of ships in the vicinity. When in the vicinity of a tropical storm, or of a suspected tropical storm, ships should be encouraged to take and transmit their observations at more frequent intervals whenever practicable, bearing in mind navigational preoccupations of ships’ officers during storm conditions. (v) To arrange for the reception and transmission by coast radio stations of weather messages from and to ships. Ships which are unable to communicate direct with shore shall be encouraged to relay their weather messages through ocean weather ships or through other ships which are in contact with shore. (vi) To encourage all masters to inform ships in the vicinity and also shore stations whenever they experience a wind speed of 50 knots or more (force 10 on the Beaufort scale). (vii) To endeavour to obtain a uniform procedure in regard to the international meteorological services already specified, and, as far as is practicable, to conform to the Technical Regulations and recommendations made by the World Meteorological Organization, to which the Contracting Governments may refer for study and advice any meteorological question which may arise in carrying out the present Convention. (c) The information provided for in this Regulation shall be furnished in form for transmission and transmitted in the order of priority prescribed by the Radio Regulations, and during transmission “to all stations” of meteorological information, forecasts and warnings, all ship stations must conform to the provisions of the Radio Regulations. (d) Forecasts, warnings, synoptic and other meteorological reports intended for ships shall be issued and disseminated by the national service in the best position to serve various zones and areas, in accordance with mutual arrangements made by the Contracting Governments concerned. *Ice Patrol Service* (a) The Contracting Governments undertake to continue an ice patrol and a service for study and observation of ice conditions in the North Atlantic. During the whole of the ice season the south‑eastern, southern and south‑western limits of the regions of icebergs in the vicinity of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland shall be guarded for the purpose of informing passing ships of the extent of this dangerous region; for the study of ice conditions in general; and for the purpose of affording assistance to ships and crews requiring aid within the limits of operation of the patrol ships. During the rest of the year the study and observation of ice conditions shall be maintained as advisable. (b) Ships and aircraft used for the ice patrol service and the study and observation of ice conditions may be assigned other duties by the managing Government, provided that such other duties do not interfere with their primary purpose or increase the cost of this service. **Regulation 6** *Ice Patrol. Management and Cost* (a) The Government of the United States of America agrees to continue the management of the ice patrol service and the study and observation of ice conditions, including the dissemination of information received therefrom. The Contracting Governments specially interested in these services undertake to contribute to the expense of maintaining and operating these services; each contribution to be based upon the total gross tonnage of the vessels of each contributing Government passing through the regions of icebergs guarded by the Ice Patrol; in particular, each Contracting Government specially interested undertakes to contribute annually to the expense of maintaining and operating these services a sum determined by the ratio which the total gross tonnage of that Contracting Government’s vessels passing during the ice season through the regions of icebergs guarded by the Ice Patrol bears to the combined total gross tonnage of the vessels of all contributing Governments passing during the ice season through the regions of icebergs guarded by the Ice Patrol. Non‑contracting Governments specially interested may contribute to the expense of maintaining and operating these services on the same basis. The managing Government will furnish annually to each contributing Government a statement of the total cost of maintaining and operating the Ice Patrol and of the proportionate share of each contributing Government. (b) Each of the contributing Governments has the right to alter or discontinue its contribution, and other interested Governments may undertake to contribute to the expense. The contributing Government which avails itself of this right will continue responsible for its current contribution up to 1 September following the date of giving notice of intention to alter or discontinue its contribution. To take advantage of the said right it must give notice to the managing Government at least six months before the said 1 September. (c) If, at any time, the United States Government should desire to discontinue these services, or if one of the contributing Governments should express a wish to relinquish responsibility for its pecuniary contribution, or to have its contribution altered, or another Contracting Government should desire to undertake to contribute to the expense, the contributing Governments shall settle the question in accordance with their mutual interests. (d) The contributing Governments shall have the right by common consent to make from time to time such alterations in the provisions of this Regulation and of Regulation 5 of this Chapter as appear desirable. (e) Where this Regulation provides that a measure may be taken after agreement among the contributing Governments, proposals made by any Contracting Government for effecting such a measure shall be communicated to the managing Government which shall approach the other contributing Governments with a view to ascertaining whether they accept such proposals, and the results of the enquiries thus made shall be sent to the other contributing Governments and the Contracting Government making the proposals. In particular, the arrangements relating to contributions to the cost of the services shall be reviewed by the contributing Governments at intervals not exceeding three years. The managing Government shall initiate the action necessary to this end. **Regulation 7** *Speed Near Ice* When ice is reported on or near his course the master of every ship at night is bound to proceed at a moderate speed or to alter his course so as to go well clear of the danger zone. **Regulation 8** *Routeing* (a) The practice of following, particularly in converging areas, routes adopted for the purpose of separation of traffic including avoidance of passage through areas designated as areas to be avoided by ships or certain classes of ships, or for the purpose of avoiding unsafe conditions, has contributed to the safety of navigation and is recommended for use by all ships concerned. (b) The Organization is recognized as the only international body for establishing and adopting measures on an international level concerning routeing and areas to be avoided by ships or certain classes of ships. It will collate and disseminate to Contracting Governments all relevant information. (c) The selection of the routes and the initiation of action with regard to them, and the delineation of what constitutes converging areas, will be primarily the responsibility of the Governments concerned. In the development of routeing schemes which impinge upon international waters, or such other schemes they may wish adopted by the Organization, they will give due consideration to relevant information published by the Organization. (d) Contracting Governments will use their influence to secure the appropriate use of adopted routes and will do everything in their power to ensure adherence to the measures adopted by the Organization in connection with routeing of ships. (e) Contracting Governments will also induce all ships proceeding on voyages in the vicinity of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland to avoid, as far as practicable, the fishing banks of Newfoundland north of latitude 43° N and to pass outside regions known or believed to be endangered by ice. **Regulation 9** *Misuse of Distress Signals* The use of an international distress signal, except for the purpose of indicating that a ship or aircraft is in distress, and the use of any signal which may be confused with an international distress signal, are prohibited on every ship or aircraft. **Regulation 10** *Distress Messages — Obligations and Procedures* (a) The master of a ship at sea, on receiving a signal from any source that a ship or aircraft or survival craft thereof is in distress, is bound to proceed with all speed to the assistance of the persons in distress informing them if possible that he is doing so. If he is unable or, in the special circumstances of the case, considers it unreasonable or unnecessary to proceed to their assistance, he must enter in the logbook the reason for failing to proceed to the assistance of the persons in distress. (b) The master of a ship in distress, after consultation, so far as may be possible, with the masters of the ships which answer his call for assistance, has the right to requisition such one or more of those ships as he considers best able to render assistance, and it shall be the duty of the master or masters of the ship or ships requisitioned to comply with the requisition by continuing to proceed with all speed to the assistance of persons in distress. (c) The master of a ship shall be released from the obligation imposed by paragraph (a) of this Regulation when he learns that one or more ships other than his own have been requisitioned and are complying with the requisition. (d) The master of a ship shall be released from the obligation imposed by paragraph (a) of this Regulation, and if his ship has been requisitioned, from the obligation imposed by paragraph (b) of this Regulation, if he is informed by the persons in distress or by the master of another ship which has reached such persons that assistance is no longer necessary. (e) The provisions of this Regulation do not prejudice the International Convention for the unification of certain rules with regard to Assistance and Salvage at Sea, signed at Brussels on 23 September 1910, particularly the obligation to render assistance imposed by Article 11 of that Convention. **Regulation 11** *Signalling Lamps* All ships of over 150 tons gross tonnage, when engaged on international voyages, shall have on board an efficient daylight signalling lamp which shall not be solely dependent upon the ship’s main source of electrical power. **Regulation 12** *Shipborne Navigational Equipment* (a) All ships of 1,600 tons gross tonnage and upwards shall be fitted with a radar of a type approved by the Administration. Facilities for plotting radar readings shall be provided on the bridge in those ships. (b) All ships of 1,600 tons gross tonnage and upwards, when engaged on international voyages, shall be fitted with radio direction‑finding apparatus complying with the provisions of Regulation 12 of Chapter IV. The Administration may, in areas where it considers it unreasonable or unnecessary for such apparatus to be carried, exempt any ship of less than 5,000 tons gross tonnage from this requirement, due regard being had to the fact that radio direction‑finding apparatus is of value both as a navigational instrument and as an aid to locating ships, aircraft or survival craft. (c) All ships of 1,600 tons gross tonnage and upwards, when engaged on international voyages, shall be fitted with a gyro‑compass in addition to the magnetic compass. The Administration, if it considers it unreasonable or unnecessary to require a gyrocompass, may exempt any ship of less than 5,000 tons gross tonnage from this requirement. (d) All new ships of 500 tons gross tonnage and upwards, when engaged on international voyages, shall be fitted with an echo‑sounding device. (e) Whilst all reasonable steps shall be taken to maintain the apparatus in an efficient condition, malfunction of the radar equipment, the gyro‑compass or the echo‑sounding device shall not be considered as making the ship unseaworthy or as a reason for delaying the ship in ports where repair facilities are not readily available. (f) All new ships of 1,600 tons gross tonnage and upwards, when engaged on international voyages, shall be fitted with radio equipment for homing on the radiotelephone distress frequency complying with the relevant provisions of paragraph (b) of Regulation 12 of Chapter IV. **Regulation 13** *Manning* The Contracting Governments undertake, each for its national ships, to maintain, or, if it is necessary, to adopt, measures for the purpose of ensuring that, from the point of view of safety of life at sea, all ships shall be sufficiently and efficiently manned. **Regulation 14** *Aids to Navigation* The Contracting Governments undertake to arrange for the establishment and maintenance of such aids to navigation, including radio beacons and electronic aids as, in their opinion, the volume of traffic justifies and the degree of risk requires, and to arrange for information relating to these aids to be made available to all concerned. **Regulation 15** *Search and Rescue* (a) Each Contracting Government undertakes to ensure that any necessary arrangements are made for coast watching and for the rescue of persons in distress at sea round its coasts. These arrangements should include the establishment, operation and maintenance of such maritime safety facilities as are deemed practicable and necessary having regard to the density of the seagoing traffic and the navigational dangers and should, so far as possible, afford adequate means of locating and rescuing such persons. (b) Each Contracting Government undertakes to make available information concerning its existing rescue facilities and the plans for changes therein, if any. **Regulation 16** *Life‑Saving Signals* The following signals shall be used by life‑saving stations and maritime rescue units when communicating with ships or persons in distress and by ships or persons in distress when communicating with life‑saving stations and maritime rescue units. The signals used by aircraft engaged in search and rescue operations to direct ships are indicated in paragraph (d) below. An illustrated table describing the signals listed below shall be readily available to the officer of the watch of every ship to which this Chapter applies. (a) Replies from life‑saving stations or maritime rescue units to distress signals made by a ship or person: | *By day* ‑ Orange smoke signal or combined light and sound signal (thunder‑light) consisting of three single signals which are fired at intervals of approximately one minute.<br>*By night* ‑ White star rocket consisting of three single signals which are fired at intervals of approximately one minute. | ![]() | “You are seen ‑ assistance will be given as soon as possible.”<br>(Repetition of such signals shall have the same meaning.) | If necessary the day signals may be given at night or the night signals by day. (b) Landing signals for the guidance of small boats with crews or persons in distress: | *By day* ‑ Vertical motion of a white flag or the arms or firing of a green star‑signal or signalling the code letter “K” (‑.‑) given by light or sound‑signal apparatus.<br>*By night* ‑ Vertical motion of a white light or flare, or firing of a green star‑signal or signalling the code letter “K” (‑.‑) given by light or sound‑signal apparatus. A range (indication of direction) may be given by placing a steady white light or flare at a lower level and in line with the observer. | ![]() | “This is the best place to land.” | | *By day* ‑ Horizontal motion of a white flag or arms extended horizontally or firing of a red star‑signal or signalling the code letter “S” (...) given by light or sound‑signal apparatus.<br>*By night* ‑ Horizontal motion of a white light or flare or firing of a red star‑signal or signalling the code letter “S” (...) given by light or sound‑signal apparatus. | ![]() | “Landing here highly dangerous.” | | *By day ‑* Horizontal motion of a white flag, followed by the placing of the white flag in the ground and the carrying of another white flag in the direction to be indicated or firing of a red star‑signal vertically and a white star‑signal in the direction towards the better landing place or signalling the code letter “S” (...) followed by the code letter “R” (.‑.) if a better landing place for the craft in distress is located more to the right in the direction of approach or the code letter “L” (.‑..) if a better landing place for the craft in distress is located more to the left in the direction of approach. | ![]() | “Landing here highly dangerous. A more favourable location for landing is in the direction indicated.” | | *By night* ‑ Horizontal motion of a white light or flare, followed by the placing of the white light or flare on the ground and the carrying of another white light or flare in the direction to to be indicated or firing of a red star‑signal vertically and a white star‑signal in the direction towards the better landing place or signalling the code letter “S” (...) followed by code letter “R” (.‑.) if a better landing place for the craft in distress is located more to the right in the direction of approach or the code letter “L” (.‑..) if a better landing place for the craft in distress is located more to the left in the direction of approach. | ![]() | “Landing here highly dangerous. A more favourable location for landing is in the direction indicated.” | (c) Signals to be employed in connection with the use of shore life‑saving apparatus: | *By day* ‑ Vertical motion of a white flag or the arms or firing of a green star‑signal.<br>*By night* ‑ Vertical motion of a white light or flare or firing or a green star‑signal.<br>*By day* ‑ Horizontal motion of a white flag or arms extended horizontally or firing of a red star‑signal.<br>*By night* ‑ Horizontal motion of a white light or flare or firing of a red star‑signal. | ![]()<br>![]() | In general ‑ “Affirmative.”<br>Specifically:<br>“Rocket line is held.”<br>“Tail block is made fast.”<br>“Hawser is made fast.”<br>“Man is in the breeches buoy.”<br>“Haul away.”<br>In general ‑ “Negative.”<br>Specifically: “Slack away.”<br>“Avast hauling.” | (d) Signals used by aircraft engaged on search and rescue operations to direct ships towards an aircraft, ship or person in distress (see explanatory Note below): (i) The following procedures performed in sequence by an aircraft mean that the aircraft is directing a surface craft towards an aircraft or a surface craft in distress: (1) circling the surface craft at least once; (2) crossing the projected course of the surface craft close ahead at a low altitude, opening and closing the throttle or changing the propeller pitch; (3) heading in the direction in which the surface craft is to be directed. Repetition of such procedures has the same meaning. (ii) The following procedure performed by an aircraft means that the assistance of the surface craft to which the signal is directed is no longer required: — crossing the wake of the surface craft close astern at a low altitude, opening and closing the throttle or changing the propeller pitch. Note: Advance notification of changes in these signals will be given by the Organization as necessary. **Regulation 17** *Pilot Ladders and Mechanical Pilot Hoists* Ships engaged on voyages in the course of which pilots are likely to be employed shall comply with the following requirements: (a) *Pilot Ladders* (i) The ladder shall be efficient for the purpose of enabling pilots to embark and disembark safely, kept clean and in good order and may be used by officials and other persons while a ship is arriving at or leaving a port. (ii) The ladder shall be secured in a position so that it is clear from any possible discharges from the ship, that each step rests firmly against the ship’s side, that it is clear so far as is practicable of the finer lines of the ship and that the pilot can gain safe and convenient access to the ship after climbing not less than 1.5 metres (5 feet) and not more than 9 metres (30 feet.) A single length of ladder shall be used capable of reaching the water from the point of access to the ship; in providing for this due allowance shall be made for all conditions of loading and trim of the ship and for an adverse list of 15 degrees. Whenever the distance from sea level to the point of access to the ship is more than 9 metres (30 feet), access from the pilot ladder to the ship shall be by means of an accommodation ladder or other equally safe and convenient means. (iii) The steps of the pilot ladder shall be: (1) of hardwood, or other material of equivalent properties, made in one piece free of knots, having an efficient non‑slip surface; the four lowest steps may be made of rubber of sufficient strength and stiffness or of other suitable material of equivalent characteristics; (2) not less than 480 millimetres (19 inches) long, 115 millimetres (4½ inches) wide, and 25 millimetres (1 inch) in depth, excluding any nonslip device; (3) equally spaced not less than 300 millimetres (12 inches) nor more than 380 millimetres (15 inches) apart and be secured in such a manner that they will remain horizontal. (iv) No pilot ladder shall have more than two replacement steps which are secured in position by a method different from that used in the original construction of the ladder and any steps so secured shall be replaced as soon as reasonably practicable by steps secured in position by the method used in the original construction of the ladder. When any replacement step is secured to the side ropes of the ladder by means of grooves in the sides of the step, such grooves shall be in the longer sides of the step. (v) The side ropes of the ladder shall consist of two uncovered manila ropes not less than 60 millimetres (2¼ inches) in circumference on each side. Each rope shall be continuous with no joints below the top step. Two man‑ropes properly secured to the ship and not less than 65 millimetres (2½ inches) in circumference and a safety line shall be kept at hand ready for use if required. (vi) Battens made of hardwood, or other material of equivalent properties, in one piece and not less than 1.80 metres (5 feet 10 inches) long shall be provided at such intervals as will prevent the pilot ladder from twisting. The lowest batten shall be on the fifth step from the bottom of the ladder and the interval between any batten and the next shall not exceed 9 steps. (vii) Means shall be provided to ensure safe and convenient passage on to or into and off the ship between the head of the pilot ladder or of any accommodation ladder or other appliance provided. Where such passage is by means of a gateway in the rains or bulwark, adequate handholds shall be provided. Where such passage is by means of a bulwark ladder, such ladder shall be securely attached to the bulwark rail or platform and two handhold stanchions shall be fitted at the point of boarding or leaving the ship not less than 0.70 metre (2 feet 3 inches) nor more than 0.80 metre (2 feet 7 inches) apart. Each stanchion shall be rigidly secured to the ship’s structure at or near its base and also at a higher point, shall not be less than 40 millimetres (1½ inches) in diameter and shall extend not less than 1.20 metres (3 feet 11 inches) above the top of the bulwark. (viii) Lighting shall be provided at night such that both the pilot ladder overside and also the position where the pilot boards the ship shall be adequately lit. A lifebuoy equipped with a self‑igniting light shall be kept at hand ready for use. A heaving line shall be kept at hand ready for use if required. (ix) Means shall be provided to enable the pilot ladder to be used on either side of the ship. (x) The rigging of the ladder and the embarkation and disembarkation of a pilot shall be supervised by a responsible officer of the ship. (xi) Where on any ship constructional features such as rubbing bands would prevent the implementation of any of these provisions, special arrangements shall be made to the satisfaction of the Administration to ensure that persons are able to embark and disembark safely. (b) *Mechanical Pilot Hoists* (i) A mechanical pilot hoist, if provided, and its ancillary equipment shall be of a type approved by the Administration. It shall be of such design and construction as to ensure that the pilot can be embarked and disembarked in a safe manner including a safe access from the hoist to the deck and *vice versa*. (ii) A pilot ladder complying with the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Regulation shall be kept on deck adjacent to the hoist and available for immediate use. **Regulation 18** *VHF Radiotelephone Stations* When a Contracting Government requires ships navigating in an area under its sovereignty to be provided with a Very High Frequency (VHF) radiotelephone station to be used in conjunction with a system which it has established in order to promote safety of navigation, such station shall comply with the provisions of Regulation 17 of Chapter IV and shall be operated in accordance with Regulation 8 of Chapter IV. **Regulation 19** *Use of the Automatic Pilot* (a) In areas of high traffic density, in conditions of restricted visibility and in all other hazardous navigational situations where the automatic pilot is used, it shall be possible to establish human control of the ship’s steering immediately. (b) In circumstances as above, it shall be possible for the officer of the watch to have available without delay the services of a qualified helmsman who shall be ready at all times to take over steering control. (c) The change‑over from automatic to manual steering and *vice versa* shall be made by or under the supervision of a responsible officer. **Regulation 20** *Nautical Publications* All ships shall carry adequate and up‑to‑date charts, sailing directions, lists of lights, notices to mariners, tide tables and all other nautical publications necessary for the intended voyage. **Regulation 21** *International Code of Signals* All ships which in accordance with the present Convention are required to carry a radiotelegraph or a radiotelephone installation shall carry the International Code of Signals. This publication shall also be carried by any other ship which in the opinion of the Administration has a need to use it.