- Vessels supplying the offshore industry are required to carry a variety of dangerous goods including those in packaged form. Vessel design and operational conditions do not assist compliance with the regulations. Furthermore, it has been noted that the back loading process often gives rise to incorrectly declared, stowed, secured and labelled dangerous goods.
- This Marine Guidance Note outlines the required standard of compliance with the requirements of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code and Chapter VII of SOLAS for offshore supply vessels utilising only weather deck stowage and goods stowed in cargo transport units (CTUs).
- For the purposes of this notice, Offshore Supply Vessels (OSVs) are thDANGERose vessels which are engaged in the transport of stores, materials and equipment to and from mobile offshore drilling rigs, fixed and floating platforms and other similar offshore installations on voyages within the United Kingdom continental shelf
- The SOLAS Convention and provisions of the IMDG Code in force at any time shall apply, except as given below. IMO resolution A863 (20) – Code of Practice forthe Carriage of Cargoes and Persons by Offshore Supply Vessels should be observed.
- Vessels of 500GT and over built after 1 September 1984, and vessels under 500GT built after 1 February 1992 carrying dangerous goods, must comply with Regulation 54 (192) of Chapter II-2 of SOLAS regardless of whether the vessel is engaged on international voyages or not.
- It is recognised that cargo ships of 500 GT and over constructed before 1 September 1984 and cargo ships of less than 500 GT constructed before 1 February 1992 are not required to have a Document of Compliance.
- However, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) encourages all offshore supply vessels operating on the United Kingdom continental shelf to obtain a Document of Compliance.
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