Page 53: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (April 1997)

aboard. Quick action will be need- ed if the vessel has been aban- doned, or in situations of fire or explosion, or if there is otherwise a risk of stranding, grounding, colli- sion or pollution.

It is imperative that gear is pre- rigged and located precisely where it will be needed, ready for use at all times so. that the connection pn with a tug ca^be made with the minimum number of ship's crew in the minimum time.

Under the relevant. SOLAS amendments, IMO specifies the major components and forking strengths of the equipment, which has to be positioned close to the point of the bow or right* aft on the transom.

While newbuilding projects offer scope for a more rational way of incorporating emergency systems, retrofits to existing ships often pre- sent more of a challenge, requiring compactness, minimal structural modifications and possible use of existing mooring devices.

Towage and salvage expert Smit

Tak has devised an effective sys- tem known as the Safe Fast

Emergency Connection. Key com- ponents include a 20p-ton load- capacity strongpoint on deck, known as the Smit Bracket, to which a heavy duty chain is made fast, of a length that would extend when deployed some 13.1 ft. (4 m) outboard of the fairlead.

The fairleads are strengthened and located to facilitate towage from either side of the bow or rck-up rope and messenger.

In an emergency, tanker crew have only to deploy the pick^tip gear. This can be recovered by the tug, with the ensuing pull then drawing the tow pennant from the drum.

The initial IMO resolution on emergency towing in 1983 was revised in 1994 in recognition of the* advanced arrangements for- mulated by the industry in response\o the SOLAS legislation, j

Prompted by the Scandinavian

Star disaster in 1990, all existing vessels certified for more than 36 passengers have until October 1, 1997, to illuminate escape routes using low location lighting.

The requirement was first intro- duced for newbuildings in October 1^47'-«md,i^intended to ensure means by which a route to a dis- embarkation point can be better followed by passengers in a fire when the normal emergency light- (Continued on page 64) on the right course

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