Resolution MEPC.138(53)

AMENDMENTS TO THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR SHIP REPORTING SYSTEMS AND SHIP REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, INCLUDING GUIDELINES FOR REPORTING INCIDENTS INVOLVING DANGEROUS GOODS, HARMFUL SUBSTANCES AND/OR MARINE POLLUTANTS (RESOLUTION A.851(20))

(Adopted on 22 July 2005)

THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION COMMITTEE,

RECALLING Article 38(a) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (the Committee) conferred upon it by international conventions for the prevention and control of marine pollution,

RECOGNIZING that an incident involving damage, failure or breakdown of the ship, its machinery or equipment, may give rise to a significant threat of pollution to coastlines or related interests,

RECOGNIZING ALSO the need for coastal States to be informed by the master of an assisting ship, or of a ship undertaking salvage, of particulars of the incident and of the action taken,

NOTING that, by resolution A.851(20), the Assembly adopted the General principles for ship reporting systems and ship reporting requirements, including guidelines for reporting incidents involving dangerous goods, harmful substances and/or marine pollutants,

NOTING ALSO that, by resolution A.886(21), the Assembly resolved that, in order to establish a uniform procedure, the function of adopting or amending performance standards and technical specifications referenced in MARPOL 73/78 and other IMO instruments, shall be performed by the Marine Environment Protection Committee and/or the Maritime Safety Committee, as appropriate,

NOTING FURTHER that, at its fifty-first session, the Committee recognized that the Guidelines referenced under MARPOL Annex II may require updating as a result of the revised MARPOL Annex II,

BEING AWARE that the revised MARPOL Annex II, as adopted by resolution MEPC.118(52), is expected to enter into force on 1