Circular letter
MSC/Circ.1142-MEPC/Circ.425

MARKING THE SHIP'S PLANS, MANUALS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS WITH THE IMO SHIP
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

(adopted on 9 December 2004)

1. The Marine Environment Protection Committee at its fifty-second session and the Maritime Safety Committee, at its seventy-ninth session, having identified the benefits of marking ship's plans, manuals and other documents with the IMO ship identification number for maritime safety and security, and marine environment protection purposes, since the IMO number on ships' plans could also be of assistance for identifying that such information, which is required to be on board the ship, relates to the ship in question and for the conduct of investigative measures, approved the marking the ship's plans, manuals and other documents with the IMO ship identification number, as set out in the Annex.

2. Member Governments are invited to implement the marking as far as practicable and to bring it to the attention of all parties concerned.

Annex.

MARKING THE SHIP'S PLANS, MANUALS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS WITH THE IMO SHIP
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

1. A large number of plans, manuals and other documents are required to be carried on board ships.

2. The IMO Ship Identification Number Scheme adopted by the Organization by resolution A.600(15) has been made mandatory through SOLAS regulation XI-1/3.

3. All plans, manuals and other documents required by the various IMO conventions to be carried on board ships constructed on or after 1 January 2005 should be marked with the IMO ship identification number in a clearly legible and unambiguous manner.

4. The originator of such plans, manuals and other documents should ensure that the IMO ship identification number is marked on them prior to submission for approval by an Administration or a