Immersion Suit Requirements for Philippine Cargo Ships

The advisory is grounded on Presidential Decree No. 474, which establishes MARINA’s flag-state functions.
The advisory is supported by Executive Order No. 125 / 125-A, which relates to national maritime administration authority.
The immersion suit requirements are tied to SOLAS 1974, as amended, and to the International Life Saving Appliance (LSA) Code, as amended.
The advisory also requires observance of relevant SOLAS-related guidance issued under the International Maritime Organization (IMO), including MSC Circular 1047, MSC Circular 1114, and SOLAS Regulations referenced in the advisory.

Shipowners/operators of Philippine registered cargo ships engaged in international trade must take note of the immersion suit requirements in this advisory.
The advisory applies to cargo ships including those documented for domestic trade but temporarily deployed in the international trade.
Every person onboard is covered, including supernumerary.
Specific carriage standards apply based on the location of survival craft and the concept of “remotely located survival craft” under referenced SOLAS Regulations.

An immersion suit of appropriate size and complying with the LSA Code, as amended must be provided for every person on board the ship, including supernumerary.
Two (2) additional immersion suits must be provided at the navigating bridge.
Two (2) additional immersion suits must also be provided at the machinery space.
A minimum of two (2) lifejackets and two (2) immersion suits must be provided in areas where remotely located survival craft are stowed.
The advisory treats survival craft as “remotely located survival craft” when they are stowed at the aft/forward end of the ship and at a distance of more than 100m from the closest survival craft, consistent with referenced SOLAS Regulations (SOLAS Regulation 111/31.1.4 and SOLAS Regulation 111/7 as referenced in the advisory).
Immersion suits must be placed so they are readily accessible and their position is plainly indicated.
The crew must be familiar with the location of the immersion suits and the methods of donning them.
Immersion suits must be carried in addition to the life jackets required on board.

Shipowners/operators must ensure immersion suits are kept in good condition and ready for use by following the manufacturer’s guide on inspection and maintenance.
The immersion suits must be subjected to monthly shipboard inspection by the crew.
Crews must follow the Guidelines for monthly shipboard inspection of immersion suits and anti-exposure suits by the ships’ crew under MSC Circular 1047.
Immersion suits must be inspected at an interval of three (3) years if the suit is less than ten (10) years; otherwise, the interval is two (2) years.
The inspections must follow the Guidelines for periodic testing of immersion and anti-exposure suit seams and closures under MSC Circular 1114.
Inspection may be delegated to a Recognized Organization.

For ships other than bulk carriers that are constantly engaged on voyages in warm climate, the immersion suit requirements in this advisory do not apply.
The advisory defines a “voyage in warm climate” as voyages within the zone between the latitudes of 30 degrees N and 30 degrees S.
No Exemption Certificate is required for the warm-climate exemption.
Ships operating outside the warm-climate limits must carry immersion suits regardless of the duration of the voyage.

The advisory was adopted on March 01, 2011.
Emerson L. Lorenzo, CESO V, served as Administrator of MARINA in the adoption of the advisory.