[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withdrawn from service for inspection and survey, thereby representing a 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.