European Union (EU) Consultation on Transportation of Offshore Workers – IMCA Response

Further to our earlier briefing on the transportation of offshore workers (IMCA E&A 03/12), it was decided that IMCA should respond to a proposal from the European Commission that ships carrying offshore workers should be subject to passenger ship rules. This proposal was included in the review of passenger ship safety legislation. In line with the approach suggested in our earlier briefing, IMCA has responded as follows:

• Offshore construction support vessels are cargo ships, and are therefore outside the scope of passenger ship rules and of this consultation;
• With respect to vessels carrying offshore workers (particularly wind farm service vessels):
  • The design and operational requirements for these vessels differ substantially from conventional passenger ships, so they should not be included in the scope of the EU Passenger Ship Directive (Directive 2009/45/EC)
  • While there is a need for greater harmonisation of vessel rules, this should be done on an international, rather than regional, basis
  • These issues are already being considered by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and IMO is the appropriate forum for these discussions.

Members will be kept up to date on any further developments.

Originally issued with the following reference(s): IMCA EA 04/12