    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [March 19, 1991]
    [Pages 289-290]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting Protocols to the International
    Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and the International
    Convention on Load Lines
    March 19, 1991

    To the Senate of the United States:
        I transmit herewith, for the advice and consent of the Senate to
    ratification, the Protocol of 1988 Relating to the International
    Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, with Annex, and the
    Protocol of 1988 Relating to the International Convention on Load Lines,
    1966, with Annexes.

    [[Page 290]]

    Both Protocols were done at London November 11, 1988, and signed by the
    United States April 6, 1989, subject to ratification. I also transmit,
    for the information of the Senate, the report of the Department of State
    with respect to the Protocols.
        These Protocols are designed to standardize the inspection intervals
    and the periods of validity of the certificates required under the 1974
    International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, as amended
    (SOLAS), and the 1966 International Convention on Load Lines (Load Lines
    Convention). Entry into force of the 1988 Protocols will reduce the
    number of ship visits by inspectors, as well as the time a ship must be
    withdrawn from service for inspection and survey, thereby representing a
    significant improvement to the existing system. The surveys and
    certifications of ships required by the SOLAS and Load Lines Conventions
    will be accomplished in a more efficient manner, bringing the
    international system to a level more consistent with U.S. domestic
    inspection requirements. The United States Coast Guard, the American
    Bureau of Shipping, shipyards, and, most important, shipowners and
    seafarers will benefit as a result. In addition, the additional survey
    requirements will improve the level of safety of foreign ships entering
    U.S. ports, thus having a positive impact on the environment.
        The 1988 Protocol to the Load Lines Convention also contains
    amendments to the regulations of the Convention that replace amendments
    previously adopted, but that to date have not entered into force. I,
    therefore, desire to withdraw from the Senate the following treaties:

        Amendments to the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966,
    adopted at London November 15, 1979 (Treaty Document 97-14, 97th
    Congress, 1st Session);
        Amendments to the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966,
    adopted at London November 17, 1983 (Treaty Document 100-12, 100th
    Congress, 2nd Session).

        The United States has played an active and vital role in the
    negotiation of the 1988 Protocols to the Safety of Life at Sea and Load
    Lines Conventions and in promoting and developing the concept of a
    harmonized system of certification. Early ratification of the 1988
    Protocols by the United States should encourage similar actions by other
    nations.
        I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration
    to these Protocols and give its advice and consent to ratification.

                                                                 George Bush

    The White House,
    March 19, 1991.