. Publications The past twelve months have seen continued activity on revising existing ICS publications and preparing new ones. Demand for such guidance remains high: advice on best industry practice is clearly of value to shipping companies who, among other things, have an obligation under the ISM Code to provide appropriate information and guidance to ships' personnel. A major revision has been the third edition of the Bridge Procedures Guide, of which almost 17,000 copies have been produced since its publication in August 1998. The first edition of the Guide was published as long ago as 1977 and the latest edition takes account of the 1995 amendments to STCW, the ISM Code, and the provision of modern electronic navigation and chart systems which, on new ships, are often integrated into the overall bridge design. In co-operation with Intertanko, ICS has developed a Model Ballast Water Management Plan designed to meet the recommendations of IMO resolution A.868. The model plan has assisted many shipping companies in developing ballast water management plans for their ships which may be required to comply with quarantine rules by port states aimed at minimising the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens. Shortly to be published, jointly with ISF, is a new, third edition of the guide Pirates and Armed Robbers. This latest edition will include information on the areas where attacks are most likely to occur, and give advice on the measures that can be taken to reduce the risks to ships and personnel. Also in the pipeline is a Guide for Masters on Port State Control. The guide will explain the reasons for port state control, and encourage ships' personnel to be aware of the types of deficiencies which can lead to ships being delayed or detained. One task which should finally see the light of day this year is the revision of the Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals). This enormously complex exercise has involved a major commitment from a number of chemical tanker experts, without whose assistance the objective of updating the definitive work on chemical tanker practice could never have been achieved. Further details of these and other guides, produced under the umbrella of Marisec Publications, can be obtained from the Secretariat or via the Marisec web site. .