NoticeonMSC.1-Circ.1641“GuidelinesforSafetyMeasuresforFishingVesselsof24minLengthandoverOperatinginPolarWaters”IssuedbyIMO

CCSTechnical Information(2021)Technical Information No.66 Total No.572Dec.31,2021(Total 2 pages+Annex)To:Relevant shipowners,ship management companies,shipyards and designers,productmanufacturer,related departments of the Headquarters of CCS,the Society's surveyors,Plan Approval CentersNotice on MSC.1/Circ.1641 "Guidelines for Safety Measures forFishing Vessels of 24 m in Length and over Operating in PolarWaters"Issued by IMOI.PrefaceThe Maritime Safety Committee,at its 103rd session (May 2021),approvedMSC.1/Circ.1641 "Guidelines for Safety Measures for Fishing Vessels of 24 m inLength and over Operating in Polar Waters".The guidelines are applicable to fishingvessels of 24 m in length and over operating in polar waters.II.Main technical pointsIn June 2018,the Maritime Safety Committee reviewed the safety measures fornon-SOLAS ships operating in polar waters.The Committee noted the lack of a legalframework to allow for the mandatory application of the Polar Code to non-SOLASships,together with evidence regarding the number of accidents involvingnon-SOLAS ships operating in polar waters,particularly in the Antarctic area.Concluding that these facts revealed a significant risk to the safety of lives at sea anda continuing threat to the marine environment,the Committee determined that urgentaction needed to be taken.These Guidelines are the result of the Committee's decisionto develop recommendatory safety measures for fishing vessels of 24 m in length and