KR Webzine Vol.126

[Handrails on stairways and corridors used as means of escape]

There have been some recent cases in China of handrails on stairways and corridors being used as a means of escape which has led to PSC detentions.  Ship owners/managers/operators are requested to inspect their ships thoroughly, taking into account the following; 

  ▷ Regulation : FSS Code Ch.13.3 
  ▷ Application : Ships constructed on or after 1 July 2002 
  ▷ Detail 
     1) Stairways and corridors used as means of escape shall be not less than 700mm in clear 

         width and shall have a handrail on one side. 
     2) Stairways and corridors with a clear width of 1,800mm and over shall have handrails on 

         both sides

[USCG PSC procedures on gas carrier examinations]

Please be informed of the attached document outlining the "USCG Port State Control Procedures Regarding Gas Carrier Examinations".  The document includes an overview of the procedures and policies that USCG Port State Control Officers will use during the examination of non-U.S. flagged liquefied gas carriers.

[Launch of joint concentrated inspection campaign on MARPOL Annex VI]

Please be informed that the Maritime Authorities of the Tokyo and the Paris Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control will launch a joint Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on MARPOL Annex VI.

For more details, please refer to the attachment.