Guidance

MGN 659 (M+F) Entry into enclosed spaces

Amendment 1 provides information on the entry into enclosed spaces regulations 2022 and exemptions available, within annex D, E and F of this notice.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Published: 14 February 2022
• Last updated: 3 May 2022 — See all updates

This publication was withdrawn on 17 October 2024

MGN 659 (M+F) Entry into enclosed spaces has now been replaced with MGN 659 (M+F) Amendment 2 (entry into enclosed spaces).

Documents

MGN 659 (M+F) Amendment 1 merchant shipping and fishing vessels (entry into enclosed spaces) regulations 2022

PDF, 449 KB, 14 pages

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MGN 659 (M+F) Amendment 1 merchant shipping and fishing vessels (entry into enclosed spaces) regulations 2022

Ref: MGN 659 (M+F)

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Details

This notice should be read in conjunction with the merchant shipping and fishing vessels (entry into enclosed spaces) regulations 2022, the code of safe working practices for merchant seafarers (in particular chapter 15 entering enclosed (dangerous) spaces), codes of practice for the safety of fishing vessels and MGN 311 (F) working and protective gear for fishermen and replaces MGN 659.

Notice to:

• shipowners
• fishing vessel owners
• ship operators
• managers and other employers of seafarers and masters
• officers
• skippers and other workers
• paid crew and self-employed persons working on board merchant ships and fishing vessels
• classification societies
• certifying authorities
• test houses and competent persons

The merchant shipping and fishing vessels (entry into enclosed spaces) regulations 2022 (“the 2022 regulations”) come into force for ships to which the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention 1974 applies, on the 14 May 2022 and for other ships, including fishing vessels, on the 14 May 2023 and revoke the merchant shipping (entry into dangerous spaces) regulations 1988 (“the 1988 Regulations”).

This notice supports the interpretation of the 2022 regulations. Quotation of the 2022 regulations has been made at sections to which the guidance refers. However, this document is for guidance only and the full statutory instrument should be referred to, to ensure compliance.

This notice incorporates guidance published in International Maritime Organization ((IMO) Resolution A/1050(27) entering enclosed spaces on board ships.

Information has been provided on risk assessments, procedures, drills, carriage of atmosphere testing equipment, and training of seafarers for their safety and awareness of the 2022 regulations. It is recommended to refer to the code of safe working practices (COSWP) or the codes of practice for the safety of fishing vessels as well as the 2022 regulations to develop suitable procedures for enclosed space entry.

General exemptions to (“the 2022 regulations”) for vessels under 500 gross tonnes on domestic voyages from the UK are outlined within annex’s D, E and F of this notice.

An accessible version of this notice is provided alongside the PDF.

Published 14 February 2022
Last updated 3 May 2022 + show all updates

1. 3 May 2022

   MGN 659 Amendment 1 entry into enclosed spaces regulations 2022 provides the general exemptions available, contained within annex D, E and F of the notice.

2. 14 February 2022

   First published.