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ladder, are compulsory, unless 57.2 pilot hoist or 57.4 cargo port are applicable. Paragraph 10.e (1) and Figure 7 of the notice also state and indicate that all vessels need both accommodation and pilot ladders. is means even vessels with freeboards less than 9 m must be tted with both ladders. Combination ladders alone may comply with interna- tional standards for boarding facilities, but they do not meet the local standards of the canal. Figure 7 dictates compliance for all vessels with the Accommodation Ladder without Pilots Ladder example. In fact, the only example shown on this g- ure that is not applicable to all vessels is the one labeled Ships with High Freeboard (More than 9 m). Accommodation ladders that lead aft and have a length such that the lower platform can reach the deck of the pilot launch at the minimum transit draft for the vessel, are also used during Panama Canal transits to safely embark/disembark line han- dlers before entering/after leaving the Pacic and Atlantic locks. Fast and secure embarkation/disembarkation of ACP personnel is very important for ecient vessel transit operations. Non-compliance and retro?t Vessels not complying with the requirements may be denied transit until said deciency is corrected, based on the hazard level attributed to the particular deciency. All interested par- ties are encouraged to fully comply with these requirements as they comprise the basic tools used by the canal pilots to transit vessels safely and securely. Vessels not equipped or arranged in accordance with the mooring requirements as set forth in paragraph 8 of the notice risk delays in scheduling. Furthermore, if such vessels are allowed to transit, the Master will be required to sign an Undertaking Release and Indemnify form before each transit until the deciencies are corrected. Enhanced ACP services In addition to the customary verification of compliance services provided for vessels wishing to receive advance acceptance for transit by submitting drawings for review via regular mail, the ACP oers enhanced services as follows. Electronic drawing submittal and review. Since February 2000, the ACP has been receiving drawings in electronic format as stated in page vi, item 4.g, Communication Channels, of the 2011 Notice. Electronic submittal has increased greatly over the past 10 years. It now represents approximately 50% of the draw- ings reviewed, with the other 50% being physical submittals. e ACP accepts drawings in many dierent electronic formats; however, the current preferred format is PDF. After review, the drawings are stamped electronically to indicate our approval actions and are returned via e-mail. ere are several benets to electronic drawing review. e rst is paper reduction, the second is record keeping/l- ing, and the third is that the recipient has better control of the number of prints made to meet their distribution needs. O-isthmus inspections. In certain cases, depending on the design of the vessel, the impact of transit delays to the vessel, or to reduce possible risk to the canal due to the characteristics of the vessel proposed for transit, the ACP will recommend an inspection at the yard close to the completion of the vessels construction or at a port o-isthmus well in advance of the vessels arrival at the canal for transit. is inspection enables the ACP to verify the compliance review previously performed on drawings. It also has led, in some cases, to modications of details not indicated or visible on the drawing that could have resulted in transit delays or even denial of same until xed to the satisfaction of the ACP. Drawing reviews by class societies. Class societies are not authorized to approve any drawings on behalf of the ACP with regards to compliance with canal requirements. e Transi tt iinn the nneew loccks wwill innvvollvve moorrinng the vvessell to tthhe locckk wwaall inssiidde the llock cchhammber wwiithh soft llinnes, beeffore ccoontiinnuingg waater leevvveell raisinngg/lowwerinng opeerrattiions..Canal launch alongside a transiting vessel during line handler embarkation operations. July 2011 www.sname.org/sname/mt