WORK PROGRAMME SUBMITTED BY SINGAPORE SUMMARY

Transcription

1 E MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE 97th session Agenda item 19 MSC/97/19/x xx August 2016 Language: ENGLISH WORK PROGRAMME Proposal for new output to amend the COLREGs to implement night signal to be displayed by vessels crossing Traffic Separation Schemes worldwide SUBMITTED BY SINGAPORE SUMMARY Executive summary: This document proposes a new output on the display of 3 all round green lights night signal for vessels crossing Traffic Separation Schemes worldwide and associated amendments to the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs). Strategic direction: 5.2 High-level action: Output: No related provisions Action to be taken: Paragraph 26 Related documents: NAV 56/3/1; NAV 56/20; NAV 58/3/15; MSC 97/INF.XX and COLREGs Introduction 1. This document proposes a new output to consider amendments to the existing Rules in COLREGs to display 3 all round green lights night signal for vessels crossing a Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) any where in the world during the hours of darkness, in order to indicate their intention to cross. This document presents demonstration and documentation about how this measure enhances the safety of navigation in TSSs. 2. This proposal is submitted in accordance to the Guidelines on the organization and method of work of the Maritime Safety Committee and the Marine Environment Protection Committee and their subsidiary bodies (MSC-MEPC.1/Circ.4/Rev.4), taking into account resolution A.1099(29) on Guidelines on the application of the Strategic Plan and High-level Action Plan of the Organization. Background

2 Page 2 3. The 3 green lights night signal was first introduced as an interim recommendatory measure on 1 July 2011 for vessels crossing the TSS and precautionary areas in the Singapore Strait during hours of darkness. The Maritime Safety Committee at its ninety-first session in November 2012, in accordance with the provisions of resolution A.858(20), subsequently adopted the proposal to recognise the measure as a full-fledged recommendatory measure from 1 June Singapore has been closely monitoring the effectiveness of the 3 green lights night signal since its implementation in Noting the merits of the recommendatory measure, the Sub-Committee on Navigation, at its fifty-eight session, in July 2012, had reaffirmed the decision made at its fifty-sixth session, that interested Contracting Parties should propose amendments in relation to the procedures and carriage requirements for night signals to be displayed by vessels crossing TSSs worldwide, following the provisions of article VI of COLREGs. 5. Singapore commissioned Lloyd's Register Marine in 2014 to do a Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) study for the use of 3 green lights night signal for vessels crossing the TSS and precautionary areas in the Singapore Strait, and also to demonstrate the applicability of the study results to other areas worldwide. (The FSA study can be found in MSC 97/INF.XX). The FSA study was carried out in accordance with MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.12, and covered the following five steps: (1) Identification of hazards; (2) Risk analysis; (3) Risk control options (RCO); (4) Cost-benefit assessment; and (5) Recommendation for decisionmaking. These were addressed through a number of studies and activities, including a review of historical incidents/data, traffic simulation using Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, expert opinion during a Hazard Identification (HAZID) workshop, ship simulation exercises, and cost-benefit analysis. 6. The FSA study concludes that, in light of the demonstrated benefits and effectiveness of the 3 green lights night signal in the Singapore Strait, such a measure could be beneficial in improving the safety of navigation in straits and bodies of water in other parts of the world, and recommends that consideration be given to introduce such a measure worldwide. IMO's objectives 7. This proposal is aligned with the scope of IMO s objective and will enhance technical, operational and safety management standards Strategic Direction: section 5.2. It also contributes to High-level action 5.2.4: Keep under review measures to improve navigational safety, including ships' routeing, and vessel traffic services. Compelling need 8. The history of collision incidents in three areas, namely, (i) Singapore Strait; (ii) English Channel; and (iii) San Francisco Bay was reviewed in the FSA study. In the Singapore Strait, 13 collision incidents occured between 2010 and 2014, out of which 4 were incidents involving vessels crossing the TSS in hours of darkness. In the English Channel, 10 collision incidents occurred between 2000 and 2014, and 3 of these incidents occurred during TSS crossings. 8 of the 10 incidents involved at least one factor of concern when considering implementation of the 3 green lights night signal (attention, visibility, vessel intention assessment). In San Francisco, 4 out of the 33 collision incidents happened during crossing situations between 2002 and It has been found that one of the contributing factors for collision incidents in the Singapore Strait was that vessels are unable to distinguish whether or not other vessels are crossing the TSS. The 3 green lights night signal for crossing vessels in the Singapore Strait

3 Page 3 was introduced as a recommendatory measure in July From July 2011 to September 2014, the recommendatory measure was observed by 91% of vessels crossing the TSS in the Singapore Strait. 97% of vessels transiting the TSS in the vicinity of crossing vessels reported that the night signals was effective in identifying the intention of crossing vessels and greatly reduced the likelihood of a collision incident. Feedback from mariners using the Singapore Strait also indicated that the night signal significantly improved their situational awareness and that the measure would be beneficial to navigation in other parts of the world. 10. With the anticipated gradual increase of vessel traffic density in TSSs worldwide over the years, the use of the 3 green lights night signal by vessels to indicate their intention to cross a TSS would improve navigational safety and reduce the likelihood of collision incidents. Analysis of the issue 11. The FSA study revealed that the top three hazards posing the highest risk for vessels navigating in the TSS were (a) lack of situational awareness; (b) inaccurate assessment; and (c) potential reduced manoeuvring and complicated interaction. 12. The top three Risk Control Options (RCOs) which had the highest weighted percent of risk reduction are (a) The 3 green lights night signal - 19%; (b) Day shapes - 15%; and (c) Bridge resource management - 13%. 13. The effectiveness of the 3 green lights night signal was further studied in a ship simulator. Statistical analysis of the simulation results showed a clear improvement in correct identification of crossing vessels and the crossing direction. In particular, the average time to detect a crossing vessel was signifcantly reduced by close to 20% when the crossing vessel displays the 3 green lights. 14. The use of the new navigation lights was also supported by members of the marine industry who participated in a risk workshop during the FSA and the usefulness of the measure was confirmed by the lookouts who participated in the ship simulation exercise. Analysis of Implications 15. Although the amendment of COLREGs is not a continuous agenda item, consideration of consequential amendments to the COLREGs to implement measures that will improve navigational safety could be regarded as one of the important mission of the IMO. Any additional workload incurred by this proposed output has been minimised as a robust FSA study has been carried out. 16. The costs to the maritime industry were analysed as part of the FSA study. For new build ships, only the material and operating costs were considered and it is calculated that on average, US$ 1,656/- per ship would be incurred for installing the 3 green lights. For existing ships, the average cost for retrofitting the 3 green lights is US$7,650/- per ship. As per the IHS database 2014Q4, there are a total of 60,820 seagoing existing ships above 50m length within the world fleet to which this requirement will be applicable if mandated by IMO. 17. There will be no administrative requirements and burdens by implementing this measure. A completed Checklist for Identifying Administrative Requirements and Burdens, in line with MSC-MEPC.1/Circ.4/Rev.4, is provided in Annex 1 to this document. Benefits

4 Page The effectiveness of the 3 green lights was tested in a simulation exercise to evaluate if the night signal was beneficial to identifying vessels that are intending to cross the TSS. The simulation exercise demonstrated an improvement in the time it took the ship s lookout to correctly detect and identify crossing vessels which displayed the 3 green lights night signal. 19. A cost-benefit analysis was undertaken as part of the FSA study to provide broad orders of magnitude of the cost of implementing the 3 green lights night signal RCO in relation to the potential risk reduction. In this context, risk reduction was considered in the form of (a) fatalities averted, using the Gross Cost of Averting a Fatality (GCAF) index; and (b) tonnages of oil spills averted, using the Cost of Averting a Tonne of oil spilt (CATS) index. 20. The FSA cost-benefit analysis demonstrated that the 3 green lights night signal was very cost effective for controlling collisions resulting in oil spills as cost of the RCO was only 0.77% and 0.25% of the CATS (Cost of Averting a Tonne Spilt) for existing ships and new build ships respectively. Industry standards 21. There are no industry standards related to the content of the proposal but adequate standards exists on the positioning and technical details of lights and shapes within COLREGs. Output 22. In full observance of the document contained in resolution A.1099(29), the proposed output is addressed in SMART terms..1 Specific The intended output is the proposed amendment to COLREGs, as set out in Annex 2 to uniformly display the 3 green lights night signal when crossing TSSs worldwide..2 Measureable The FSA demostrated the effectiveness of the 3 green lights night signal in reduced time to detect a crossing vessels and a very cost effective method of reducing collision incidents that could result in oil spills and fatalities..3 Achievable and Realistic The display of the 3 green lights night signal for vessels crossing the TSS and precautionary areas in the Singapore Strait during hours of darkness has been implemented as an recommendatory measure since 1 July 2011, and widely used by mariners voluntarily. It is demonstrated that the output is both achievable and realistic..4 Timebound In view of the availabilty of exisiting standards on the positioning and technical details of lights and shapes within COLREGs and the recommendatory measures has already been implemented in the TSS and precautionary areas in the Singapore Strait, the output is considered achievable and realistic with a target completion year of 2018 anticipated. 23. The completed check/monitoring sheet given in MSC.1/Circ.1500 which we are of the view could be applicable for amendments to COLREGs is set out in Annex 3. Human Element

5 Page The proposal is consistent with the objectives of the Organization and is based on human element guidance and principles in MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.13. The completed checklist as per MSC-MEPC.7/Circ.1 is set out in Annex 4. Priority / Urgency 25. The proposal is directly related to high-level action in the current Strategic Plan and High-level Action Plan. Singapore is of the opinion that the proposed output should be included in the biennial agenda of the Sub-committee on Navigation, Communications, Search and Rescue (NCSR) with two sessions needed for completion. Action requested of the Committee 26. The Committee is invited to include this item in the work programme of the NCSR Sub-committee as a new work output to consider the proposed amendments to the COLREGs as set out in Annex 2 to this paper.

6 MSC 97/xx/x Annex 2, Page 1 ANNEX 2 Proposed Amendments to The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) 1972 Existing text of Rule 10, section C) to be renumbered as - C) i) A vessel shall, so far as practicable, avoid crossing traffic lanes but if obliged to do so shall cross on a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow. Insert in Rule 10: C) ii) A crossing vessel shall not cross a traffic separation line or separation zone except indicating her intention by displaying appropriate lights. Insert in Rule 23: a) v) three all-round green lights in a vertical line on the masthead abaft of the forward mast when crossing a traffic separation line or separation zone; except that a vessel of less than 50 metres in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such lights but may do so.