Circular Letter
MSC/Circ.1069

INTERPRETATION OF SOLAS REGULATION XII/13

(adopted on 5 June 2003)

1. The Maritime Safety Committee, at its seventy-seventh session (28 May to 6 June 2003), having considered a recommendation made by the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Equipment at its forty-sixth session, and agreeing that there was a need to ensure uniformity in the application of SOLAS regulation XII/13 - "Availability of pumping systems", as well as consistency with SOLAS regulation XII/12 - "Hold, ballast and dry space water level detectors", approved an interpretation of the said regulation, as set out in the annex.

2. Member Governments are invited to use the annexed interpretation when applying the provisions of SOLAS regulation XII/13, and to bring it to the attention of all parties concerned.

ANNEX.

 INTERPRETATION OF SOLAS REGULATION XII/13

Spaces where availability of pumping systems prescribed in paragraph 1 of SOLAS regulation XII/13 is required

1. The spaces where availability of pumping systems is required in accordance with paragraph 1 of SOLAS regulation XII/13 should be the same watertight spaces where water level detectors are required in accordance with paragraph 1.3 of SOLAS regulation XII/12.

2. This means that paragraph I of regulation XII/13 does not apply to the enclosed spaces the volume of which does not exceed 0.1% of the ship's maximum displacement volume and to the chain cable locker.