1.

Prior to the start of operation by a ro-ro ferry or high-speed passenger craft on a regular service, or within 12 months of the date referred to in Article 19(1) for a ro-ro ferry or high-speed passenger craft already operating a regular service on that date, host States shall check that ro-ro ferries and high-speed passenger craft: carry valid certificates, issued by the administration of the flag State or by a recognised organisation acting on its behalf; have been surveyed for the issue of certificates in accordance with the relevant procedures and guidelines annexed to IMO Assembly Resolution A.746(18) on survey guidelines under the harmonised system of survey and certification, as they stand at the time of adoption of this Directive or with procedures designed to achieve the same goal; comply with the standards specified for classification by the rules of a recognised organisation, or rules accepted as equivalent by the administration of the flag State for construction and maintenance of their hull, machinery and electrical and control installation; are fitted with a voyage data recorder (VDR) for the purpose of providing information for the benefit of a possible casualty investigation. The VDR shall meet the performance standards of IMO Assembly Resolution A.861(20) of 27 November 1997 and comply with the testing standards laid down in International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard No 61996. However, for VDRs to be placed on board ro-ro ferries and high-speed passenger craft built before the entry into force of this Directive, exemptions for compliance with some of the requirements may be granted. These exemptions and the conditions under which they can be granted shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 16; comply with specific stability requirements adopted at regional level, and transposed into their national legislation in accordance with the notification procedure laid down in Directive 98/34/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 1998 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations and of rules on information society services(10), when operating in that region a service covered by that national legislation, provided those requirements do not exceed those specified in the Annex on Resolution 14 (Stability Requirements Pertaining to the Agreement) of the 1995 SOLAS Conference and have been notified to the Secretary-General of the IMO, in accordance with the procedures specified in point 3 of that resolution.

← art_4__para · All articles · (a) →

Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-11-03 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.