MSC and MEPC Circulars Index

Last revised: September 18, 2008 SNAME Home / O-44 Home The tables on this page list the MSC and MEPC circulars that are particularly relevant to O44 activities. All circulars are in Adobe PDF format. The newer (more-recent) circulars are directly linked to the IMO website. The older circulars are not posted on the IMO website; however, copies can be requested by e-mail fromjames.l.person@uscg.mil or by phone at (202) 372-1369 . To access other MSC or MEPC circulars, go to the IMO web site at www.imo.org (on the IMO home page, click on the "Circulars" link in the left-side column, and then click on the "Maritime Safety Committee" or "Marine Environmental Protection Committee" links on the right-side column).

MSC Circulars No.

323 403 434 456 474 485 488 503

Title
Dispensation from Trimming Ends of Holds in Certain Ships Guidelines on Navigation Bridge Visibility Guidelines for the Preparation of Information on the Effect of Flooding to be Provided to Masters of Dry Cargo Ships Guidelines for the Preparation of Intact Stability Information Guidelines for Bow and Stern Loading and Unloading Arrangements on Oil Tankers Clarification of Inert Gas System Requirements Under SOLAS 1974, as Amended Containers and Cargoes Intact Stability Requirements for Pontoons

Date adopted
4 May 1982 24 Jun 1985 13 Feb 1986 13 Oct 1986 9 May 1988 9 May 1988 6 Jun 1988

525

Guidance Note on Precautions to be taken by the Masters of Ships Below 100 meters in Length Engaged in the Carriage of Logs Guidance Notes on the Integrity of Flooding Boundaries Above the Bulkhead Deck of Passenger Ships for Proper Application of Regulations II-1/8 and 20, Paragraph 1, of SOLAS 1974 Guidance Note on Precautions to be Taken by Masters of Ships Engaged in the Carriage of Timber Cargoes

25 May 1990 19 Jul 1990 6 Jun 1996

541

548

574

The Calculation Procedure to Assess the Survivability Characteristics of Existing Ro-Ro Passenger Ships When Using a Simplified Method 3 Jun 1991 Based Upon Resolution A.265(VIII) Listing of Certificates and Documents Required to be Carried on Board Ships Guidelines on Display Sizes and Techniques for Navigational Purposes Interim Guidelines for Open-top Containerships Use and Application of Computers Guidelines for Vessels with Dynamic Positioning Systems Recommendations for the Fitting of Hull Stress Monitoring Systems Interpretations of provisions of resolution MSC.26(60) and MSC/Circ.574 Interpretation of alterations and modifications of a major character Interpretations of regulations of part B-1 of SOLAS chapter II-1 Application of the 1966 LL Convention to High Speed Craft Guidance for Planning the Enhanced Program of Inspections During Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers Containers and Cargoes - Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes (BC Code) Containers and Cargoes - Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS Code) - Amendments to the CSS Code Guidelines for Passenger Safety Instruction on Ro-Ro Passenger Ships Guidelines on the Means of Access to Structures for Inspection and Maintenance of Oil Tankers and Bulk Carriers Interpretations of SOLAS regulation II-1/8.7.2 for the purpose of 7 Jan 1993 5 Jul 1994 7 Jul 1993 6 Jun 1994 6 Jun 1994 8 Jun 1994 8 Jun 1994 8 Jun 1994 9 Jun 1994 9 Jun 1994 22 Dec 1994 22 Dec 1994 31 May 1995 2 Jun 1995 31 May

593 603 608

Rev 1

610 645 646 649 650 651 652 655 662 664 681 686 688

implementation of resolution MSC.26(60) 690 693 706* Containers and Cargoes Loading and Unloading of Bulk Cargoes Ship/shore safety checklist Draft Amendments to the International Safety Management Code Guidance on Intact Stability of Existing Tankers During Liquid Transfer Operation Guidance to the Master for Avoiding Dangerous Situations in Following and Quartering Seas (Note: these Guidelines have been superceded by MSC Circ 1228)

1995 1 Jun 1995 26 May 1995 3 Oct 1995 19 Oct 1995

707

710* 723 730 736 737 739

Model Agreement for the Authorization of Recognized Organizations 9 Oct 1995 Acting on Behalf of the Administration Implementation of Assembly Resolution A.747(18) on Application of Tonnage Measurement of Segregated Ballast Tanks in Oil Tankers Recommendations for Ventilation or Inerting of Double Hull Spaces Interpretations of Vague Expressions in SOLAS Chapter II-1 Guidelines on Anchoring Systems for MODUs Amendments to the Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships (Resolution A.534(13)) Dangerous Goods, Solid Bulk Cargoes and Containers Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes (BC Code) - Amendments to the BC Code Recommendations for Entering Enclosed Spaces Aboard Ships Guidelines for the Preparation of the Cargo Securing Manual Side Shell Doors and Stern Doors on Ro-Ro Passenger Ships Timely and Effective Implementation of the ISM Code Interim Guidelines for the Systematic Application of the Grandfather Clauses Guidelines for the Development and Approval of Reporting 2 May 1996 28 Jun 1996 21 Jun 1996 28 Jun 1996 28 Jun 1996 28 Jun 1996 14 Jun 1996 13 Jun 1996 26 Jun 1996 11 Jul 1996 23 Jul 1996 19 Dec

742

744 745 755 761 765* 772

Requirements in Non-mandatory Instruments and Reports 806* Guidance on Safety Aspects of Ballast Water Exchange at Sea 815 828 829 836 854 855 884 891 908 909 915 919 920 921 929 List of IMO Safety-Related Requirements and Recommendations Applicable to all Ships and Certain Types of Ships Implementation of the ISM Code and Interim Documentation Interim Guidelines for the Application of Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) to the IMO Rule-Making Process Recommendations on Loading Instruments Guidelines for Shipboard Loading and Stability Computer Programs Interpretation of the Position of the Forward Perpendicular for the Purpose of SOLAS Regulation II-1/10 Guidelines for Safe Ocean Towing Guidelines for the On-board Use and Application of Computers Uniform Method of Measurement of the Density of Bulk Cargoes Interim Guidelines for a Simplified Evacuation Analysis on RO-RO Passenger Ships Unified Interpretations of Vague Expressions and Other Vague Wording of SOLAS Chapter II-2 Guidelines for Damage Control Plans Model Loading and Stability Manual Amendments to the Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes (BC Code) Application of Cargo-Tank Venting Requirements to Combined Chemical/Oil Tankers Guidelines on the Organization and Method of Work of the Maritime Safety Committee and the Marine Environment Protection Committee and their Subsidiary Bodies Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers

1996 30 Jun 1997 13 Nov 1998 7 Nov 1997 17 Nov 1997 6 Feb 1998 12 Jun 1998 12 Jun 1998 21 Dec 1998 21 Dec 1998 4 Jun 1999 4 June 1999 4 Jun 1999 15 Jun 1999 15 Jun 1999 4 Jun 1999 26 July 1999 10 Sep 1999 1 Jun 2000

931 947

962 982 995 998

Amendments to the Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes (BC Code) Guidelines on Ergonomic Criteria for Bridge Equipment and Layout Advice on the Dangers of Flooding of Forward Compartments IACS Unified Interpretation Regarding Timber Deck Cargo in the Context of Damage Stability Requirements

1 Jun 2000 20 Dec 2000 11 Jun 2001 25 Jul 2001 23 Jul 2001 12 June 2001 12 June 2001 5 Apr 2002 27 May 2002 20 Jun 2002 20 Jun 2002 6 Jun 2002 14 Jan 2003 29 Jan 2003 23 Dec 2002 24 Jan 2003

Interim Application of Paragraphs 4.6.1.1, 4.6.2.2, and 15.7 of the 1013 Survey Guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (Resolution A.746(18)) 1014 Guidance on Fatigue Mitigation and Management 1015 Reporting Near Misses Guidelines for Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) for Use in the IMO 1023* Rule-making Process (Note: these Guidelines have been amended per MSC Circ 1180) 1026 1028 Amendments to the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS Code) Application of the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 and the 1988 Protocol relating thereto, to High-Speed Craft

1029 Interim Guidelines for the Conduct of High-Speed Craft Model Tests 1033 Interim Guidelines for Evacuation Analyses for New and Existing Passenger Ships

1053 Explanatory Notes to the Standards for Ship Maneuverability Guidelines on the Sampling Method of Thickness Measurements for 1055 Longitudinal Strength Evaluation and Repair Methods in accordance with Annex 12 to Annex B to Resolution A.744(18), as amended 1056 Guidelines for Ships Operating in Arctic Ice-covered Waters 1057 Proposed Amendments to Update the DSC Code and the 1994 HSC Code

1061 Guidance for the Operational Use of Integrated Bridge Systems (IBS) 6 Jan 2003

Interpretation of SOLAS Reg XII/13 1069 concerning availability of pumping systems in certain enclosed spaces 1070 Ship Design, Construction, Repair and Maintenance 1071 Guidelines for Bulk Carrier Hatch Cover Surveys and Owner's Inspections and Maintenance

12 Jun 2003 12 Jun 2003 13 Jun 2003 13 Jun 2003 18 Jun 2003 6 Jun 2003 27 Aug 2003 15 Sep 2003 25 May 2004 25 May 2004 24 Jun 2004 15 Dec 2004 20 Dec 2004 13 Dec 2004 13 Dec 2004 23 Jan 2005 24 May 2005

1084 Principles for Hot Work on board All Types of Ships 1087 1091 1100* Guidelines for Partially Weathertight Hatchway Covers on board Containerships Issues to be Considered when Introducing New Technology on board Ship Recommendation for the Use of a Standard Format for the Cargo Information Required by Chapter 16 of the IBC Code

1102 Interpretations of the 2000 HSC Code and SOLAS Chapter X Application of SOLAS Reg II-1/3-6 on Access To and Within Spaces In, and Forward of, the Cargo Area of Oil Tankers and Bulk Carriers 1107 and Application of the Technical Provisions for Means of Access for Inspections 1108 Guidelines for Assessing the Longitudinal Strength of Bulk Carriers during Loading, Unloading and Ballast Water Exchange

1117 Guidance for Checking the Structure of Bulk Carriers 1135 1142* 1143 1145 1150 As-built Construction Drawings to be Maintained on board the Ship and Ashore Marking the Ship's Plans, Manuals and Other Documents with the IMO Ship Identification Number Guidelines on Early Assessment of Hull Damage and Possible Need for Abandonment of Bulk Carriers Precautionary Advice to Masters when Undertaking Ballast Water Exchange Operations List of non-mandatory IMO Codes and other safety-related guidelines (see annex)

1158 Unified Interpretations of SOLAS Chapter II-1

1159 1166

Guidelines on the Provision of Stability-related Information for Bulk Carriers Guidelines for a Simplified Evacuation Analysis for High-Speed Passenger Craft

24 May 2005 27 June 2005 25 May 2005 25 May 2005 25 May 2005 25 August 2005 2 Jun 2006 6 Jun 2006

Unified Interpretations to SOLAS Chapters II-1 and XII and to the 1176 Technical Provisions for Means of Access for Inspections (This Circular amended by Circ 1197) 1177 Unified Interpretation of the 2000 HSC Code 1178 Unified Interpretations of SOLAS Regulations XII/4.2 and XII/5.2 1180* Amendments to the FSA Guidelines (MSC Circ 1023) 1195 Guideline for the Conduct of High-Speed Craft Model Tests 1197 Amendments to Unified Intreptations to SOLAS Chapters II-1 and XII approved by MSC.Circ.1176

Corrosion Prevention of Double-side Skin Spaces and Dedicated 1198 Seawater Ballast Tanks of Bulk Carriers; Performance Standard for Protective Coastings for Dedicated Seawater Ballast Tanks Interim Guidance on Compliance of Ships Carrying Dry Cargoes in 1199 Bulk with Requirements of SOLAS Chapters II-1, III, IX, XI-1 and XII Unified Interpretations to SOLAS Regulations II-1/10 and Regulation 1211 12 of the Revised SOLAS Chapter II-1 regarding Bow Doors and the Extension of the Collision Bulkhead Performance Standards for the Systems and Services to Remain 1214 Operational on Passenger Ships for Safe Return to Port and Orderly Evacuation and Abandoment after a Casualty Revised Guidance to the Master for Avoiding Dangerous Situations 1228 in Adverse Weather and Sea Conditions (Note: this Circular supercedes MSC Circ. 707) 1229 Guidelines for the Approval of Stability Instruments 1234 1238 Drainage of Fire-fighting Water from Enclosed Vehicle and RO-RO Spaces Guidelines for Evacuation Analysis of New and Existing Passenger Ships

2 Jun 2006

31 May 2006 25 May 2006 15 Dec 2006 11 Jan 2007 11 Jan 2007 31 Oct 2007 30 Oct 2007

1245 Guidelines for Damage Control Plans and Information to the Master 1246 Interpretation of Alternations and Modifications of a Major Character 1247 Unified Interpretation of "Unforeseen Delay in the Delivery of Ships" 1255 Guidelines for Owners/Operators on Preparing Emergency Towing Procedures

29 Oct 2007 29 Oct 2007 6 Nov 2007 27 May 2008

*also issued as a MEPC circular (same name & date)

MEPC Circulars No.

304* 307* 315* 316

Title
Guidance on Intact Stability of Existing Tankers During Liquid Transfer Operation Model Agreement for the Authorization of Recognized Organizations Acting on Behalf of the Administration Interim Guidelines for the systematic application of the grandfather clauses Unified Interpretation of MARPOL Regulation I/13F(3)(d) concerning calculation of aggregate capacity of SBTs

Date adopted
3 Oct 1995 9 Oct 1995 23 Jul 1996 25 July 1996 30 Jun 1997 1 Oct 1999

329* Guidance on Safety Aspects of Ballast Water Exchange at Sea 365 Interpretation of Requirements for Application of Hydrostatic Balance Loading in Cargo Tanks (Resolution MEPC.64(36))

Guidelines for Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) for Use in the IMO 392* Rule-making Process (Note: these Guidelines have been amended per MEPC Circ 474) 395 Electronic database for the implementation of the Condition Assessment Scheme

5 Apr 2002

24 Jul 2002 23 Dec 2002 10 Nov 2003 27 Aug

399 Guidelines for ships operating in Arctic ice-covered waters 406 Guidelines for application of MARPOL Annex I requirements to FPSOs and FSUs

407* Recommendation for the use of a standard format for the cargo

information required by Chapter 16 of the IBC Code 416 Condition Assessment Scheme for Category I oil tankers 421 425* 474* Cross-reference Tables between "Old" and "New" Regulations of MARPOL Annex I Marking the Ship's Plans, Manuals and other Documents with the IMO Ship Identification Number Amendments to the FSA Guidelines (MEPC Circ 392) This Circular amends MEPC Circ 392

2003 3 Jun 2004 4 Nov 2004 20 Dec 2004 25 August 2005

*also issued as a MSC circular (same name & date)

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