Skip navigation


notice012008 
Shipping Notice 01/2008
This Shipping Notice Is Intended To Remind Owners and Managers of the Application of ARPOL Annex IV to Existing Ships and Yachts on 27 September 2008.

 

Application of MARPOL Annex IV to existing ships and yachts

Shipping Notice: CISN 01/2008

Published 17th March 2008, 1:18pm

Prinatable Copy

Background

  1. MARPOL Annex IV contains regulations for the prevention of pollution by sewage and entered into force on 27 September 2003.

  2. Ships and yachts to which the Annex applies and that were built before 27 September 2003 have to comply with the Annex no later 27 September 2008.

Application

  • The Annex applies to the following ships and yachts that are engaged on international voyages:

    • New ships[1] of 400 gross tonnage and above on 27 September 2003.

    • New ships of less than 400 gross tonnage which are certified to carry more than 15 persons on 27 September 2003.

    • Existing ships[2] of 400 gross tonnage and above on 27 September 2008.

    • Existing ships of less than 400 gross tonnage which are certified to carry more than 15 persons on 27 September 2008.

    • Interpretation of “certified to carry more than 15 persons”

    • Cayman Islands ships are not specifically “certified” for the number of persons they may carry. For the purposes of this Annex, the figure used for the number of persons shall be that shown on either the supplements to the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate, the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate or the Certificate of Compliance to the Large Yacht Code.

    • Where a ship or yacht does not hold a Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate, Passenger Ship Safety Certificate or Certificate of Compliance then the figure used shall be the total number of persons for who overnight accommodation can be provided.

    Sewage Systems

    • Ships and yachts to which this Annex applies are required to be equipped with one of the following sewage systems:

      • A “Type Approved” sewage systems suitable for the maximum number of persons onboard.

      • An approved sewage comminuting and disinfecting system and temporary holding tanks for the stowage of sewage when the ship is less than 3 nautical miles from the nearest land.

      • Holding tanks of suitable size, having regard for the operations of the ship, the maximum number of persons onboard and other relevant factors. These tanks must have a means of visually indicating the amount of their contents.

    • In addition to the above, every ship and yacht to which this Annex applies must be provided with a means to pump sewage to shore side reception facilities through a “standard discharge connection”.

    Discharge of sewage

    • The discharge of sewage into the sea is prohibited, except when in accordance with the requirements of regulation 11 of the Annex.

    Survey and Certification

    • Every ship and yacht to which the Annex applies will need to be surveyed every 5 years for the issue of an International Sewage Pollution Prevention (ISPP) Certificate.

    • The Cayman Islands Shipping Registry has delegated all surveys and the issue of certificates under this Annex to the seven authorised Classifications Societies[3]. Owners whose ships and yachts which are subject to this Annex and do not yet hold ISPP Certificates are urged to contact their Classification Society and arrange for the necessary surveys to be carried out before.

    • Owners of unclassed ships and yachts which are subject to this Annex may utilize any of the seven authorised Classification Societies to carry out the required surveys and issue the ISPP Certificate.

    • If the owner of an unclassed ship or yacht is unable to arrange the attendance of one of the seven authorised Classification Societies then an additional delegation may be considered on a case by case basis in exceptional circumstances only.

    Action required

    • The owners of all existing ships and yachts to which the Annex applies are required to ensure that all such ships and yachts are surveyed and ISPP Certificates issued in good time for the 27 September 2008 deadline for compliance.

    • Ships and yachts which are required to but do not hold ISPP Certificates will be liable

      to detention and other penalties after the 27 September 2008 deadline.

    [1] A ship or yacht for which the building contract was placed, or the keel was laid on or after 27 September 2003.

    [2] A ship or yacht which is not a “New Ship”.

    [3] ABS, BV, DNV, GL, LR, Class NK and RINA.

    For further information contact: Corporate Communications