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1. Malta Merchant Shipping Directorate has issued Technical Notice SLS.33 dated 27 August 2018 (copy attached) providing Administration’s requirements with respect to carriage of publications onboard ships.

2. The administration has recommended that publications of IMO instruments be in the working language of the ship. When the working language is not English, French or Spanish, the publications be backed, in addition, by the full English, French or Spanish text.

3. The Nautical publications in digital format are accepted by the administration on condition that:

• the nautical publications are issued officially by or under the authority of a SOLAS Contracting Government, by an authorized Hydrographic Office or by other institutions of a SOLAS Contracting Government;
• the updates are original and documentation for receipt of updates and their installation is available onboard. The ship’s Safety Management System shall include procedures related thereto;
• the data is protected from editing;
• the nautical publications are installed in a dedicated computer that is supplied from the main and emergency source of power and is readily available to the Officer of the Watch (OOW). The display of data on the monitor shall not compromise the OOW’s night vision;
• the nautical publications are installed in one additional computer, as back up, and which can be made available to the OOW in a short period of time;
• the Master and Bridge Team Officers are trained in the use of the system;
• the equipment and installation complies with the requirements of SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 17 regarding electromagnetic compatibility;
• due consideration is given to the guidance contained in MSC/Circ.1091 on issues concerning introduction of new technology on board, MSC/Circ.891 regarding on board use and application of computers and MSC/Circ.982 on ergonomic criteria for bridge equipment and layout.

4. The list of mandatory and recommended publications required to be carried onboard ships are provided in attached circular.

5. Ship owners/operators and masters of Malta flagged vessels are advised to be guided by above.

Enclosure:

1. Malta Technical Notice SLS.33 dated 27/08/2018.

Disclaimer:

This Technical Circular and the material contained in it is provided only for the purpose of supplying current information to the reader and not as an advice to be relied upon by any person. While we have taken utmost care to be as factual as possible, readers/ users are advised to verify the exact text and content of the Regulation from the original source/ issuing Authority.

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