To: OWNERS, OPERATORS & MASTERS OF CRUISE SHIPS VISITING THE CAYMAN ISLANDS.
1. BACKGROUND
1.1 Chapter V of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requires passenger ships to maintain a plan for co-operation with appropriate search and rescue services as follows –
1.1.1 SOLAS V/7.3 – “Passenger ships to which chapter I applies shall have on board a plan for co-operation with appropriate search and rescue services in event of an emergency. The plan shall be developed in co-operation between the ship, the company, as defined in regulation IX/1 and the search and rescue services. The plan shall include provisions for periodic exercises to be undertaken to test its effectiveness. The plan shall be developed based on the guidelines developed by the Organization.”
1.2 This Guidance Note outlines the assistance the Cayman Islands Coast Guard (CICG) can provide to the owners of passenger ships making frequent or regular visits to the Cayman Islands in preparing and exercising their Search and Rescue (SAR) Co-operation Plans.