The purpose of this Technical Note is to communicate of the approved by IMO
This instruction applies to all Panama flag vessels engaged on international
- passenger ships constructed on or after 1 July 2002;
- ro-ro passenger ships constructed before 1 July 2002 not later than the first survey on or after 1 July 2002;
- passenger ships other than ro-ro passenger ships constructed before 1 July 2002 not later than 1 January 2004;
- ships, other than passenger ships, of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards constructed on or after 1 July 2002.
To assist in casualty investigations, cargo ships, when engaged on international voyages, shall be fitted with a VDR which may be a simplified voyage data recorder (SVDR) ,
- in the case of cargo ships of 20,000 gross tonnage and upwards constructed before 1 July 2002, at the first scheduled dry-docking after 1 July 2006 but not later than 1 July 2009;
- in the case of cargo ships of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 20,000 gross tonnage constructed before 1 July 2002, at the first scheduled drydocking after 1 July 2007 but not later than 1 July 2010;
- Administrations may exempt cargo ships from the application of the requirements of subparagraphs 2.1 and 2.2 when such ships will be taken permanently out of service within two years after the implementation date specified in subparagraphs 2.1 and 2.2 above.
- Shipping companies, shipowners, ship operators, equipment manufacturers, recognized organizations, shipmasters and all parties concerned.
The annual test should be registered on the form from the model report about the test that figures on the appendix of the MSC.1/Circ.1222/Rev.1 adopted by IMO on June 14, 2019. A copy of the report from the test willremain on board of the vessel. Also these forms will be available for all Port State Control Inspectors and Panamanian Flag Inspectors.
According with the MSC.1/Circ.1222/Rev.1, the examination of the VDR/S-VDR installation should include confirmation that the capsule float-free arrangements, where required or fitted, are satisfactory as originally accepted at commissioning; and that any battery, release mechanism or other datable items are within their expiry date. In addition, for float-free capsules approved in accordance with resolution MSC.333(90) and others
