1994 HSC Code - 1995 Edition

The HSC Code derived from the previous Code of Safety for Dynamically Supported Craft (DSC), adopted by the IMO in 1977. This revised Code has been prepared in recognition of the growth in size and types of high-speed craft now existing. It is intended to facilitate the research and development of fast sea transportation. The Code takes into account that a high-speed craft is of a light displacement compared with a conventional ship. Consequently, it allows for use of non-conventional shipbuilding materials, provided that a safety standard at least equivalent to conventional ships is achieved.

The Maritime Safety Committee, at its sixty-third session (16 to 25 May 1994), adopted, by resolution MSC.36(63), the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft (HSC Code), which has been developed following a thorough revision of the Code of Safety for Dynamically Supported Craft (resolution A.373(X)). Furthermore, amendments to the Annex to the 1974 SOLAS Convention, by the addition of a new chapter X on Safety Measures for High-Speed Craft, adopted by the 1994 SOLAS Conference (May 1994) make the HSC Code mandatory. This amendment will be expected to enter into force, under the tacit acceptance procedure contained in article VIII of the Convention, on 1 January 1996 and will apply to high-speed craft built on or after that date.

The HSC Code has been prepared in recognition of the growth, in size and types, of high-speed craft, and is intended to facilitate the future research and development of fast sea transportation, while maintaining a high degree of safety for passengers and crews.

Chapter 1 General comments and requirements

1.1 General comments

1.2 General requirements

1.3 Application

1.4 Definitions

1.5 Surveys

1.6 Approvals

1.7 Maintenance of conditions after survey

1.8 High-Speed Craft Safety Certificate

1.9 Permit to operate high-speed craft

1.10 Control

1.11 Equivalents

1.12 Information to be made available

1.13 Further developments

1.14 Circulation of safety information

1.15 Review of the Code

Chapter 2 Buoyancy, stability and subdivision

Part A General
2.1 General

2.2 Intact buoyancy

2.3 Intact stability in the displacement mode

2.4 Intact stability in the non-displacement mode

2.5 Intact stability in the transient mode

2.6 Buoyancy and stability in the displacement mode

following damage

2.7 Inclining and stability information

2.8 Loading and stability assessment

2.9 Marking and recording of the design waterline

Part B Requirements for passenger craft

2.10 General

2.11 Intact stability in the displacement mode
2.12 Intact stability in the non-displacement mode

2.13 Buoyancy and stability in the displacement mode

following damage

2.14 Inclining and stability information

Part C Requirements for cargo craft

2.15 Buoyancy and stability in the displacement mode

following damage

2.16 Inclining

Chapter 3 Structures

3.1 General

3.2 Materials

3.3 Structural strength

3.4 Cyclic loads

3.5 Design criteria

3.6 Trials

Chapter 4 Accommodation and escape measures

4.1 General

4.2 Public address and information system

4.3 Design acceleration levels

4.4 Accommodation design

4.5 Seating construction

4.6 Safety belts

4.7 Exits and means of escape

4.8 Evacuation time

4.9 Baggage, stores, shops and cargo compartments

4.10 Noise levels

Chapter 5 Directional control systems

5.1 General

5.2 Reliability

5.3 Demonstrations

5.4 Control position

Chapter 6 Anchoring, towing and berthing

6.1 General

6.2 Anchoring

6.3 Towing

6.4 Berthing

Chapter 7 Fire safety

Part A General

7.1 General requirements

7.2 Definitions

7.3 Classification of space use

7.4 Structural fire protection

7.5 Fuel and other flammable fluid tanks and systems

7.6 Ventilation

7.7 Fire detection and extinguishing systems

7.8 Protection of special category spaces
7.9 Miscellaneous

7.10 Fireman’s outfits

Part B Requirements for passenger craft

7.11 Arrangement

7.12 Ventilation

7.13 Fixed sprinkler system

Part C Requirements for cargo craft

7.14 Control station

7.15 Cargo spaces

Chapter 8 Lifesaving appliances and arrangements

8.1 General and definitions

8.2 Communications

8.3 Personal lifesaving appliances

8.4 Muster list, emergency instructions and manuals

8.5 Operating instructions

8.6 Survival craft stowage

8.7 Survival craft and rescue boat embarkation and recovery arrangements

8.8 Line throwing appliance

8.9 Operational readiness, maintenance and inspections

8.10 Survival craft and rescue boats

Chapter 9 Machinery

Part A General

9.1 General

9.2 Engine (general)

9.3 Gas turbines

9.4 Diesel engines for main propulsion and essential auxiliaries

9.5 Transmissions

9.6 Propulsion and lift devices

Part B Requirements for passenger craft

9.7 Independent means of propulsion for category B craft

9.8 Means for return to a port of refuge for category B craft

Part C Requirements for cargo craft

9.9 Essential machinery and control

Chapter 10 Auxiliary systems

Part A General

10.1 General

10.2 Arrangement of oil fuel, lubricating oil and other flammable oil

10.3 Bilge pumping and drainage systems

10.4 Ballast systems

10.5 Cooling systems

10.6 Engine air intake systems

10.7 Ventilation systems

10.8 Exhaust systems

Part B Requirements for passenger craft

10.9 Bilge pumping and drainage systems
Part C Requirements for cargo craft

10.10 Bilge pumping systems

Chapter 11 Remote control, alarm and safety systems

11.1 Definitions

11.2 General

11.3 Emergency controls

11.4 Alarm system

11.5 Safety system

Chapter 12 Electrical installations

Part A General

12.1 General

12.2 Main source of electrical power

12.3 Emergency source of electrical power

12.4 Starting arrangements for emergency generating sets

12.5 Steering and stabilization

12.6 Precautions against shock, fire and other hazards of electrical origin

Part B Requirements for passenger craft

12.7 General

Part C Requirements for cargo craft

12.8 General

Chapter 13 Navigational equipment

13.1 Navigation (general)

13.2 Compasses

13.3 Speed and distance measurement

13.4 Echo sounding device

13.5 Radar installations

13.6 Electronic positioning systems

13.7 Rate of turn indicator and rudder angle indicator

13.8 Other navigational aids

13.9 Searchlight

13.10 Night vision equipment

13.11 Steering arrangement and propulsion indicators

13.12 Automatic steering aid (automatic pilot equipment)

13.13 Performance standards

Chapter 14 Radiocommunications

14.1 Application

14.2 Terms and definitions

14.3 Exemptions

14.4 Functional requirements

14.5 Radio installations

14.6 Radio equipment: general

14.7 Radio equipment: sea area A1

14.8 Radio equipment: sea areas A1 and A2

14.9 Radio equipment: sea areas A1, A2 and A3

14.10 Radio equipment: sea areas A1, A2, A3 and A4

14.11 Watches
14.12 Sources of energy

14.13 Performance standards

14.14 Maintenance requirements

14.15 Radio personnel

14.16 Radio records

Chapter 15 Operating compartment layout

15.1 Definitions

15.2 General

15.3 Field of vision from the operating compartment

15.4 Operating compartment

15.5 Instruments and chart table

15.6 Lighting

15.7 Windows

15.8 Communication facilities

15.9 Temperature and ventilation

15.10 Colours

15.11 Safety measures

Chapter 16 Stabilization systems

16.1 Definitions

16.2 General requirements

16.3 Lateral and height control systems

16.4 Demonstrations

Chapter 17 Handling, controllability and performance

17.1 General

17.2 Proof of compliance

17.3 Weight and centre of gravity

17.4 Effect of failures

17.5 Controllability and manoeuvrability

17.6 Change of operating surface and mode

17.7 Surface irregularities

17.8 Acceleration and deceleration

17.9 Speeds

17.10 Minimum depth of water

17.11 Hard structure clearance

17.12 Night operation

Chapter 18 Operational requirements

Part A General

18.1 Craft operational control

18.2 Craft documentation

18.3 Training and qualifications

18.4 Manning of survival craft and supervision

18.5 Emergency instructions and drills

Part B Requirements for passenger craft

18.6 Type rating training

18.7 Emergency instructions and drills

Part C Requirements for cargo craft
18.8 Type rating training

18.9 Emergency instructions and drills

Chapter 19 Inspection and maintenance requirements

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 Methods relating to the intact stability investigation of hydrofoil craft

Annex 7 Stability of multihull craft

Annex 8 Definitions, requirements and compliance criteria related to operational and safety performance

Annex 9 Criteria for testing and evaluation of revenue and crew seats

Annex 10 Open reversible liferafts

Resolution MSC.36(63) Adoption of the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft

A??s 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. And IMO is the forum at which this process takes place.