2000 HSC Code - (2021 Edition)

This 2021 edition of the 2000 HSC Code contains consolidated text that incorporates the amendments adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee by resolutions MSC.175(79), MSC.222(82), MSC.260(84), MSC.271(85), MSC.326(90), MSC.352(92), MSC.424(98) and MSC.439(99).

Foreword

The International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft, 2000 (2000 HSC Code) provides a comprehensive set of requirements, including those for the design and construction of high-speed craft engaged on international voyages, the equipment that shall be provided and the conditions for their operation and maintenance.

The aim of the Code is to set levels of safety that are equivalent to those of conventional ships required by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended, (SOLAS Convention) and the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 (Load Line Convention) by the application of constructional and equipment standards in conjunction with strict operational controls.

A high-speed craft is of a light displacement compared with a conventional ship and the displacement aspect is the essential parameter to obtaining fast and competitive sea transportation. This Code allows for the use of non-conventional shipbuilding materials for light displacement, provided that a safety standard at least equivalent to conventional ships is achieved.

The Code requirements also reflect the additional hazards associated with high-speed craft as compared with conventional ship transportation, such as collision at high speed, the consequences of which are mitigated by more stringent navigational and operational requirements and specially developed accommodation provisions.

The 2000 HSC Code was adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee at its seventy-third session (27 November to 6 December 2000), by resolution MSC.97(73), following a revision of the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft, 1994 (1994 HSC Code) (resolution MSC.36(63)), which in turn had been developed following a revision of the Code of Safety for Dynamically Supported Craft (DSC Code) (resolution A.373(X)).

The 1994 and the 2000 HSC Codes are mandatory under chapter X (Safety measures for high-speed craft) of the 1974 SOLAS Convention and apply to high-speed craft engaged on international voyages the keels of which are laid or which were at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 January 1996 (1994 HSC Code) and on or after 1 July 2002 (2000 HSC Code), respectively. For high-speed craft constructed before 1 January 1996, the DSC Code should be applied.

Since then, amendments to the 2000 HSC Code have been adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee by resolutions MSC.175(79), MSC.222(82), MSC.260(84), MSC.271(85), MSC.326(90), MSC.352(92), MSC.424(98) and MSC.439(99), following the provisions of section 1.15 of the Code for a regular review of the existing requirements to take account of new developments in design and technology.

The present 2021 edition contains the consolidated text of the 2000 HSC Code, incorporating the amendments adopted by the aforementioned resolutions, which entered into force and apply to high?speed craft engaged on international voyages. It also includes Unified Interpretations to 2000 HSC Code regulations, the Guidelines for uniform operating limitations of high-speed craft (MSC.1/Circ.1329) and SOLAS chapter X.

Foreword
Resolution MSC.97(73) Adoption of the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft, 2000 (2000 HSC Code)
2000 HSC Code
Preamble
Chapter 1 General comments and requirements
Chapter 2 Buoyancy, stability and subdivision
Part A – General
Part B – Requirements for passenger craft
Part C – Requirements for cargo craft
Chapter 3 Structures
Chapter 4 Accommodation and escape measures
Chapter 5 Directional control systems
Chapter 6 Anchoring, towing and berthing
Chapter 7 Fire safety
Part A – General
Part B – Requirements for passenger craft
Part C – Requirements for cargo craft
Part D – Requirements for craft and cargo spaces intended for the carriage of dangerous goods
Chapter 8 Life-saving appliances and arrangements
Chapter 9 Machinery
Part A – General
Part B – Requirements for passenger craft
Part C – Requirements for cargo craft
Chapter 10 Auxiliary systems
Part A – General
Part B – Requirements for passenger craft
Part C – Requirements for cargo craft
Chapter 11 Remote control, alarm and safety systems
Chapter 12 Electrical installations
Part A – General
Part B – Requirements for passenger craft
Part C – Requirements for cargo craft
Chapter 13 Shipborne navigational systems and equipment and voyage data recorders
Chapter 14 Radiocommunications
Chapter 15 Operating compartment layout
Chapter 16 Stabilization systems
Chapter 17 Handling, controllability and performance
Chapter 18 Operational requirements
Part A – General
Part B – Requirements for passenger craft
Part C – Requirements for cargo craft
Chapter 19 Inspection and maintenance requirements
Annexes
Annex 1 Form of High-Speed Craft Safety Certificate and Record of Equipment
Annex 2 Form of Permit to Operate High-Speed Craft
Annex 3 Use of probability concept
Annex 4 Procedures for failure mode and effects analysis
Annex 5 Ice accretion applicable to all types of craft
Annex 6 Stability of hydrofoil craft
Annex 7 Stability of multihull craft
Annex 8 Stability of monohull craft
Annex 9 Definitions, requirements and compliance criteria related to operational and safety performance
Annex 10 Criteria for testing and evaluation of seats
Annex 11 Open reversible liferafts
Annex 12 Factors to be considered in determining craft operating limitations
Appendices
Appendix 1 Safety measures for high-speed craft (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS) Chapter X)
Appendix 2 Guidelines for uniform operating limitations of high-speed craft (MSC.1/Circ.1329)

As a specialized agency of the United Nations, IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.

In other words, its role is to create a level playing field so that ship operators cannot address their financial issues by simply cutting corners and compromising on safety, security and environmental performance. This approach also encourages innovation and efficiency.

Shipping is a truly international industry, and it can only operate effectively if the regulations and standards are themselves agreed, adopted and implemented on an international basis. IMO is the forum at which this process takes place.