Changes in Solas Regulations impact on operational safety
13 July 2009
Owners and operators of tugs, workboats and cargo vessels need to keep on top of changes to the Safety of Lives at Sea (SOLAS) regulations and the impact this can have on operational safety issues says Cosalt, Europe's leading provider of critical safety equipment for the commercial marine and industrial safety markets.
From July 2010 all MED/SOLAS foam lifejackets on new vessels must be approved to the new and more stringent safety at sea Maritime Safety Committee regulations (MSC20(80)) and offer substantially improved performance. Typically commercial vessels carry these foam lifejackets to comply with safety regulations. These are often supplemented with more expensive inflatable lifejackets for crew working on deck.
Cosalt was the first company to have an inherently buoyant lifejacket patented and MED/SOLAS approved to meet the new regulations. The Premier 2010 has a patented design Neck System that can adjust to the wearer's neck size so it can be worn by anyone from 43kg up to 140kg while still maintaining good face angles and mouth clearance above the water. The patented Reverse Angle Head Support holds the head at the optimum position for maximum in-water performance even if the wearer becomes unconscious. The lifejacket self rights in an average of 1.7 seconds. The product recently won a prestigious Safety at Sea Award.
Servicing of life-saving equipment is another key operational safety issue to keep on top of in the wake of regulation changes. In 2006 a change to the SOLAS Regulations (III/32.3) meant all cargo ships and bulk carriers trading outside 20°N or 20°S, had to carry one fully approved Immersion/Abandonment Suit for each member of its crew and a proper scheme for inspection and maintenance had to be put in place. Immersion suits under 10 years old require servicing every three years. Suits over 10 years old require an annual inspection.
Three years on and many of the suits bought new in 2006 to satisfy the regulations now require their first service. This involves inspecting all seams, the reflective tape, light and buddy line and finally pressure testing to check the suit is leak proof. Cosalt has 17 fully approved service stations in the UK and Europe that can carry out this work. For further information, contact sales@cosalt.com.