§ Mr. CarmichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to improve lifeboat safety; and what plans he has to introduce requirements for(a) minimum launching system standards and (b) common operating procedures. [140666]
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§ Mr. JamiesonThe UK has adopted and fully supports international standards for life saving appliances, as required by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). Standards have been developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and are contained in the publications "International Life Saving Appliance Code (Res. MSC.48(66))" and "Testing and Evaluation of Life Saving Appliances (Res. MSC.81(70)", which incorporate the requirements for launching systems and operating procedures.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency promulgates detailed advice to the industry through the publications "Survey of Life-Saving Appliances Volume I and 2" and a variety of Marine Notices.
International standards continue to be reviewed by the IMO's Design and Equipment sub-committee (DE), which is made up of delegations from participating marine administrations. The last meeting of DE in March 2003 established a working group to undertake a comprehensive review of the standards and guidelines which currently apply to the launching and operation of lifeboats.