Lloyd?s Register type approves first water ingress detector equipment

Lloyd?s Register has issued its first type approval certificate for water ingress detection equipment following the International Association of Classification Societies? (IACS) adoption of a unified interpretation of the International Maritime Organization?s (IMO) Performance Standards for Water Level Detectors on Bulk Carriers. The installation of water ingress detection equipment onboard bulk carriers is required under SOLAS regulation XII/12.

The type approval certificate, which is valid until October 2008, has been issued to Martek Marine Ltd for its ?BULKSAFE? water ingress detection equipment which comprises a control panel, a safety barrier and water level detectors. BULKSAFE satisfies the requirements of SOLAS regulation XII/12, IMO Resolution MSC 145(77) and IACS Unified Interpretation SC180.

SOLAS regulation XII/12 was adopted by IMO?s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) in December 2002 as part of a general effort to improve safety onboard bulk carriers. Regulation XII/12 requires all bulk carriers to be fitted with water ingress detection equipment that will provide audible and visual alarms on the bridge in the event of water levels being detected in cargo holds and other spaces forward of the collision bulkhead by no later than the first annual, intermediate or renewal survey carried out after July 1, 2004. IMO has adopted Resolution MSC (145)77, Performance Standards for Bulk Carrier Water Level Detectors, to provide identifiable criteria for testing water ingress detection equipment to demonstrate reliable operation in service.

IACS has developed a Unified Interpretation SC 180 which makes the IMO Resolution mandatory for its members and expands in more detail on requirements for the equipment, especially with regard to testing.