IMO Resolution MSC.256(84) amended SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-4 and the requirements for emergency towing. Currently, under regulation 3-4, tankers require an approved towing arrangement; the amendment will require all vessels, including tankers, to be provided with an emergency towing procedure.
An emergency towing procedure must be provided on board:

• all passenger ships, not later than January 1, 2010
• cargo ships (ships other than passenger ships) constructed (having their keels laid) on or after January 1, 2010, on delivery, and
• cargo ships (ships other than passenger ships) constructed (having their keels laid) before January 1, 2010, not later than January 1, 2012.
The procedure must be prepared by the shipowner or operator, not the ship builder.

The emergency towing procedure is operational in nature and is to be based on existing arrangements and equipment available on board the ship. The procedure does not need to be approved, but an attending surveyor will check that it is in place and an ISM auditor may examine it as a part of an ISM audit.
Guidance on the contents of the emergency towing procedure can be found in MSC.1/Circ. 1255 – Guidelines for owners/operators on preparing emergency towing procedures

Further information
Contact: Bruce McDonald
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© 2009 Lloyd’s Register

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Infomarine On-Line Technical Library

File	Description	File size
LR-CN3109 towing arrangements.pdf	Amendment to SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-4 – emergency towing procedures	119 Kb