CCSS Code

The Code has been developed to provide a regional safety standard for small ships engaged on voyages in the Caribbean Region.  The Code principally applies to new ships.  The maritime administration should, as far as is practicable and reasonable, apply to existing ships the standards specified in this Code.  The provisions of this Code should facilitate the operation of small ships to which the provision of the relevant Conventions are not applicable thus ensuring a level of safety for such ships and personnel on board.

            The provisions specified in this Code take into account, as far as it is reasonable and practicable, the provisions specified in the following Conventions including amendments thereto:

• International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 and its Protocol of 1978;
• International Convention on Load Lines, 1966;
• International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto;
• International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for seafarers 1978;
• International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972.
• Merchant Shipping (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 147)

            The Code recognises that ships to which Safety requirements of the above international conventions do not apply have been plying in the Caribbean Region in accordance with the rules specified by the respective Administration of the state whose flag the ships are entitled to fly.  Such ships should comply with the provisions of  the Code to the satisfaction of the Administration.

            Throughout the development of the Code, it was recognised that it must be based upon the principles laid down in international conventions; furthermore international safety standards are rapidly evolving and that the Code should not remain static.  The Code will be reviewed periodically taking into account both experiences and the development on international maritime safety standards.

Unless otherwise expressly provided, this Code should apply to cargo ships of less than500 gross tonnage engaged on international voyages trading in the Caribbean Trading Area.

This Code should not apply to:

military and government ships not used for commercial purposes;

cargo ships of less than 24m in length;

pleasure craft not engaged in trade; and

fishing vessels.

Where the provisions of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, the 1978 STCW Convention, the 1966 Load Line Convention, the 1972 Collision Regulations and MARPOL 73/78 apply to cargo ships of less than 500 gross tonnage, these provisions should be applicable as if they were part of this Code.