Merchant Shipping Act, 1951 (Act No. 57 of 1951)

Schedules

Second Schedule

Protocol of 1978 Relating to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974

Annex

Chapter II–1 : Construction — Structure, Subdivision and Stability, Machinery and Electrical Installations

Part A-1 — Structure of Ships

Regulation 3-4 : Emergency towing arrangements and procedures

Purchase

1.	Emergency towing arrangements on tankers

1.1	Emergency towing arrangements shall be fitted at both ends on board every tanker of not less than 20,000 tonnes deadweight.

1.2	For tankers constructed on or after 1 July 2002:

1.2.1

the arrangements shall, at all times, be capable of rapid deployment in the absence of main power on the ship to be towed and easy connection to the towing ship. At least one of the emergency towing arrangements shall be pre-rigged ready for rapid deployment; and

1.2.2

emergency towing arrangements at both ends shall be of adequate strength taking into account the size and deadweight of the ship, and the expected forces during bad weather conditions. The design and construction and prototype testing of emergency towing arrangements shall be approved by the Administration, based on the Guidelines developed by the Organization 26.

1.3	For tankers constructed before 1 July 2002, the design and construction of emergency towing arrangements shall be approved by the Administration, based on the Guidelines developed by the Organization 26.

2.	Emergency towing procedures on ships

2.1	This paragraph applies to:

2.1.1

all passenger ships, not later than 1 January 2010;

2.1.2

cargo ships constructed on or after 1 January 2010; and

2.1.3

cargo ships constructed before 1 January 2010, not later than 1 January 2012.

2.2	Ships shall be provided with a ship-specific emergency towing procedure. Such a procedure shall be carried aboard the ship for use in emergency situations and shall be based on existing arrangements and equipment available on board the ship.

2.3	The procedure 27 shall include:

2.3.1

drawings of fore and aft deck showing possible emergency towing arrangements;

2.3.2

inventory of equipment on board that can be used for emergency towing;

2.3.3

means and methods of communication; and

2.3.4

sample procedures to facilitate the preparation for and conducting of emergency towing operations.

[Regulation 3-4 Part A-1 of Chapter II-1 of the Annex to the Second Schedule (Protocol of 1978 Relating to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974) inserted by Notice No. 4133, GG55299, dated 4 September 2026]

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26	Refer to Guidelines on emergency towing arrangements for tankers (resolution MSC.35(63), as amended) and LL.3/Circ.130, section 5.

27	Refer to Guidelines for owners/operators on preparing emergency towing procedures (MSC.1/Circ.1255).