A4-0061/99

Decision on the common position adopted by the Council with a view to adopting a Council Directive on a system of mandatory surveys for the safe operation of regular ro-ro ferry and high speed passenger craft services (12893/3/98 - C4-0004/99 - 98/0064(SYN))(Cooperation procedure: second reading)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the common position of the Council, 12893/3/98 - 98/0064(SYN),

- having regard to its opinion at first reading ((OJ C 328, 26.10.1998, p. 82.)) on the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(98)0071 ((OJ C 108, 7.4.1998, p. 122.)),

- having regard to the amended Commission proposal (COM(98)0636) ((OJ C 384, 10.12.1998, p. 23.))

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 189c of the EC Treaty and Article 84(2) of the EC Treaty (C4-0004/99)

- having regard to Rule 67 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the recommendation for second reading of the Committee on Transport and Tourism (A4-0061/99),

1. Amends the common position as follows;

2. Instructs its President to forward this decision to the Council and Commission.

(Amendment 1)

Article 4(1)(d)

>Original text>

(d) 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 on International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard No 61996. However, for VDRs to be placed on board ro-ro ferries or 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;

>Text following EP vote>

(d)

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 on International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard No 61996. However, for VDRs to be placed on board ro-ro ferries or high-speed passenger craft built before the entry into force of this Directive, exemptions for compliance with some of the requirements may be granted for a period of up to five years. These exemptions and the conditions under which they can be granted shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 16;

(Amendment 2)

Article 13(3)

>Original text>

3. Each Member State shall provide to the Commission copies of the survey reports referred to in Article 11(6), with the IMO identification number where applicable. The Commission may, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 16, decide to appropriate means for allocating an identification number to other vessels. If two or more host States are involved in the regular service, the data may be provided by one of these host States. The Commission shall set up and maintain a database containing the information provided. Conditions of access to the database shall be decided in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 16.

>Text following EP vote>

3.

Each Member State shall provide to the Commission copies of the survey reports referred to in Article 11(6), with the IMO identification number where applicable. The Commission may, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 16, decide to appropriate means for allocating an identification number to other vessels. If two or more host States are involved in the regular service, the data may be provided by one of these host States. The Commission shall set up and maintain a database containing the information provided. Conditions of access to the database shall be decided in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 16. Information on the particulars of ro-ro ferries or high-speed passenger craft permitted to operate on domestic or international voyages or any operational limitations shall be made publicly available by the Commission.

(Amendment 3)

Annex III (1), 15th indent

>Original text>

- the checking that all lifeboats and rescue boats correspond to the inventory;

>Text following EP vote>

- an inspection of the life-saving appliances, including lifeboat and rescue boat equipment, to ensure that they are complete and in good order;