Domestic passenger ship safety comes under IMO spotlight

MANY of the worst shipping disasters over recent years have involved ferries on domestic voyages. While there have been great advances in safety in the international fleet as spelt out in the International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea (Solas), those rules do not apply within domestic waters.

Last month, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) arranged a conference in Manila that has adopted guidelines to aid the process of reducing the "mounting toll" of accidents involving such vessels by addressing the question of whether a ship is fit for purpose in its intended role. The Manila Statement, adopted by the conference, acknowledges the "urgent need to enhance the safety of ships carrying passengers on non-international voyages in certain parts of the world and urges states to review and update national regulations in relation to their passenger ferries and to apply the guidelines, in order to address the continuing unacceptable loss of life and damage to the environment and property due to marine casualties and incidents involving such vessels".

Speaking at the closing session of the conference, IMO secretary-general Koji Sekimizu said: "The public expects safety standards on domestic passenger ferries to be as strong as those on international vessels. The perils of the sea do not distinguish between ships engaged on international or non-international voyages and the protection of life at sea is a moral obligation. Those travelling by domestic ferries should enjoy the highest practicable standard of safety irrespective of their citizenship."