12/21/2023

ELEVENTH SEMINAR FOR PORT STATE

Guidelines for PSC Officers for inspection of Life Savings Appliances and
CONTROL OFFICER
updates on the related SOLAS Codes with latest amendments

Muscat, Oman
from 03-07 Dec 2023

Organized by
Ministry of transport, Communication & Information Technology, Oman
in association with
The Indian Ocean MoU on Port State Control
Capt Aung Myin Moe
Myanmar

Fire Safety

Safety of navigation
Life Saving Appliance

The International
Convention for the Safety Life-Saving Appliance
IMO IE982E
of Life at Sea
The publication contains
Chapter III
Life-saving appliances and arrangements 3 most important IMO instruments,

• Unless expressly provided otherwise, 1. LSA Code

this chapter shall apply to ships 2. Testing and Evaluation of Life-Saving
constructed on or after 1 July 1998. Appliances
• For ship constructed before 1 July 1998 3. The Code of Practice for the Evaluation,
the replacement or undergo repairs of Testing and Acceptance of Proto type Novel
life-saving appliances shall, so far as is Life-Saving Appliances
reasonable and practicable comply
with the requirements of this chapter.

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The carriage of life-saving appliances are made

International requirements contained in
mandatory as per the SOLAS Convention.
the IMO instruments for the life-saving
The International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) appliances cover personal life-saving
Code provides more specific technical appliances such as
requirements for the manufacturing, testing,
maintenance and record keeping of life-saving lifebuoys, lifejackets, immersion suits, anti-
appliances. exposure suits and thermal protective aids;
visual aids, such as parachute flares, hand
The number, capacity and type of life-saving flares and buoyant smoke signals; survival
appliances differ from ship to ship depending on craft, such as liferafts and lifeboats; rescue
its size, shipping activity and voyage, and the boats; launching and embarkation
LSA Code stipulates minimum requirements appliances and marine evacuation systems
to comply in order to make a ship safe for its line throwing appliances; and general
passengers and crew. alarm and public address systems.

International Life-Saving Appliances

(LSA) Code (MSC.48(66))
On and after 1 July 1998,
the requirements of this Code will be
mandatory under SOLAS convention.
Purpose- To Provide international
standards for life-saving appliances
required by chapter III of the
International Convention for the Safety
of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974

New Regulations & Legislation New Regulations & Legislation

The list includes recent and forthcoming international regulations The list includes recent and forthcoming international regulations
Lifeboats with two independent propulsion systems
Lifeboats with two independent propulsion systems
The International Life-Saving Appliance Code (LSA Code) provides international
requirements for the life-saving appliances that are required by the SOLAS Convention.
The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), at is 101st session (13 June 2019), adopted the Lifeboats with two independent
amendments to the LSA Code through IMO Resolution MSC 459(101), that includes
below amendments:
propulsion systems will no longer be
General requirements for lifeboats
required to be equipped with buoyant
Paragraph 4.4.8.1 is replaced and states that “except for free fall lifeboats, or lifeboats
equipped with two independent propulsion systems, whose arrangement consists of
oars.
two separate engines, shaft lines, fuel tanks, piping systems and any other associated
ancillary, sufficient buoyant oars to make headway in calm seas should be provided.
Thole pins or crutches shall be attached to the boat by lanyards or chains;” Entry into force: 1 January 2024.

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Case Study

Examine life rafts. During one PSC inspection

 Required number PSCO found that annual service is not carried out with period 14months
 Float free arrangement (hydrostatic release/weak link)
It was observed Type of life raft is ESR
 Annual servicing (hydrostatic release and inflatable life raft. 17
months, if Administration approved)
No any crew familiarization, No certificate for dedicated offficer
 Bow/stern station (>100 M); lashed down on deck or in marked
location No any test tool onboard
 Launching instructions are easily seen under emergency lighting
conditions Proper life raft container markings
 Required Number Master – explanation – can extend up to 17 months
Reference: SOLAS 74/78 III/20.2 (2004 Cons Ed) (all ships) Operational Condition

SOLAS Chapter III Regulation 20

Operational readiness, maintenance and inspections
Extended service interval liferafts are permitted under
SOLAS Ch IIII regulation 20.8.3
Regulation 20.8 Servicing of inflatable liferafts, inflatable lifejackets, marine
evacuation systems, and maintenance and repair of inflated rescue boats No possibility for extensions
• 8.1 Every inflatable liferaft, inflatable lifejacket, and marine evacuation system
shall be serviced: According to SOLAS Chapter III regulation 20.8.1.1 it is possible to get service
• 8.1.1 at intervals not exceeding 12 months, provided where in any case this is extensions on standard liferafts up to 5 months (17months)
impracticable, the Administration may extend this period to 17 months; and
• 8.1.2 at an approved servicing station which is competent to service them, This does not apply to service interval liferafts , for which there is no
maintains proper servicing facilities and uses only properly trained personnel. possibility of extended service interval

Extended service interval liferafts (ESR)

What is ESR?
Not the same as conventional liferafts
Administration can accept new and novel inflatable life raft arrangement for
extended service intervals according to SOLAS III/20.8.3 and
MSC.1/Circ.1328
Service intervals not exceeding 30 months
Annual on board inspection (Hermetic seal verification) not exceeding 12
months from last inspection.
To be undertaken by qualified persons, who have been adequately trained
and certificated by Maker.

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How it was done?(The process will vary depending on the Types/Model) How it was done? (Maker A)

SOLAS Chapter III Regulation 20

How it was done? (Maker B) Operational readiness, maintenance and inspections
20.9 Periodic servicing of hydrostatic
release units
Hydrostatic release units, other than
disposable hydrostatic release units, shall
be serviced:
Serviceable HRU
• 20.9.1 at intervals not exceeding 12
months, provided where in any
Administration may extend this period to
17 months(MSC/Circ.955) and
• 29.9.2 at a servicing station which is
competent to service them, maintains
proper servicing facilities and use only Serviceable HRU Disposable HRU
properly trained personnel.
2 YEARS

Case Study (Liferaft) Case Study (Liferaft)

During recent PSC inspections, it was reported that throw SOLAS III/31.1.1.1 - Cargo Ship with one or more totally enclosed Lifeboats
overboard type liferafts were placed where davit launched type
liferafts are to be installed. SOLAS III/31.1.1.2 - In addition one or more inflatable or rigid liferafts
Action taken - Up to Detention SOLAS III/31.1.2 .1 - Cargo Ship with one or more free-fall lifeboats
SOLAS III/31.1.2 .2 - In addition one or more inflatable or rigid liferafts.
Root cause - The cause of the deficiency was that the original The liferafts on at least one side of the ship shall be served by launching appliances.
davit launched liferaft has been replaced by a throw overboard
type liferaft due to oversight(Crew/Service)

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Case Study (Liferaft)

New Regulations & Legislation
The list includes recent and forthcoming international regulations
Normally, types of davit launched liferafts can
be distinguished from throw overboard type
liferafts. Launching and embarkation appliances
Typical examples of such liferafts are shown in
A new text after paragraph 6.1.1.3 has been added requiring that on
the following table cargo ships equipped with a rescue boat is not one of the ship’s
survival craft, having a mass not more than 700kg in fully equipped
condition, with engine but without the crew, the launching appliance
of the boat does not need to be fitted with stored mechanical power
provided that:

New Regulations & Legislation New Regulations & Legislation

The list includes recent and forthcoming international regulations The list includes recent and forthcoming international regulations
Rescue boats
Launching and embarkation appliances LSA Code Chapter 6.1.1.3
Hand-operated mechanisms for the launching of rescue boats
1. manual hoisting from the stowed position and turning out to the will be allowed for rescue boats installed on vessels from
embarkation position is possible by one person; 1 January 2024.
2. the force on the crack handle does not exceed 160 N at the
maximum crack radius of 350mm; and This will only apply to rescue boats that are not one of the
3. means having sufficient strength such as bowsing line are provided ship’s survival craft. The amendment also includes means of
for bringing the rescue boat against the ship’s side and holding it crew embarkation and additional requirement for means to
alongside so that persons can be safely embarked. bring the rescue boat against the ship’s side and holding it
alongside so that persons can be safely embarked.
Entry into force: 1 January 2024.

General Note
Examine lifebuoys • Lifebuoy used close to the pilot access shall
not be provided with the lifeline which may
 Condition (reflective tape/delamination/grab lines). foul the propeller of the pilot boat. In case of
 Proper number as per safety equipment certificate / LSA plan emergency hence only the lifebuoy with light
is used for the pilot embarkation and the
 Vessel name and port clearly marked in block Roman letters separate rope is used as the heaving line
 Required Number (SOLAS CH V REG – 23.7.1.2)

• A lifebuoy equipped with a self-igniting light

and a buoyant lifeline should be available for
immediate use in the vicinity of the
SOLAS 74/78 III/20.2 (2004 Cons Ed) (all ships) Operational Condition embarkation and disembarkation
arrangement when in use (SOLAS II-1/3-9
MSC Circ 1331)

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Case Study Case Study

Please check as PSCO

Case Study Case Study

Examine life jackets Life Jackets

Quantity of lifejackets

Watchstanders and crew (random check) for: Instructions including Manuals

• Condition Proper location
• Stowage Type of lifejacket (Inflatable/non
Inflatable)
• Retro-reflective material
• Light Type specific (Adult’s/Child’s/Infant’s)
• Whistles Number of life jackets/readily available Expiry
Retro-reflective tape
Fittings
Buoyancy
Donning (75% less than 1 min)
Ref : SOLAS 74/78 III/20.2 (2004 Cons Ed) (all ships) Operational Condition

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Oversize
Changes to the LSA Code and SOLAS – requirements for lifejackets
On all ships where adult lifejackets are not designed to fit Amendments to Chapter II of the International Life-Saving
persons weighing up to 140 kg with a chest girth of up to 1,750 Appliance (LSA) Code come into effect on July 1, 2010
mm, suitable accessories are to be provided that allow the  ach lifejacket shall be fitted with a whistle firmly secured by a lanyard.
 Lifejacket lights and whistles shall be selected and secured to the
lifejacket to be secured to such persons. lifejacket in such a way that their performance in combination is not
degraded.
 Each lifejacket shall be provided with a releasable buoyant line or other
means to secure it to a lifejacket worn by another person in the water.
 Each lifejacket shall be provided with a suitable means to allow a rescuer
to lift the wearer from the water into a survival craft or rescue boat

lifejackets provided on board ships constructed

(having their keel laid) on or after July 1, 2010 when
providing new lifejackets to vessels with a keel laying
date before July 1, 2010.

New Regulations & Legislation

The list includes recent and forthcoming international regulations
Free-fall lifeboats
The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the International Maritime
Organization(IMO) adopted amendments to SOLAS Chapter III at its 103rd
session – see Resolutions MSC.482(103) and MSC.485(103).
The amendments include:
i. a replacement of paragraph 2 under Regulation 33 of SOLAS Chapter III which
now reads:
“On cargo ships of 20,000 gross tonnage and upwards, davit launched lifeboats
shall be capable of being launched, utilizing painters where necessary, with the
ship making headway at speeds up to 5 knots in calm water”.
And
ii. a replacement of paragraph 4.4.1.3.2 of the LSA Code which now reads:
“except for free-fall lifeboats, be capable of being launched and towed when
the ship is making headway at speeds up to 5 knots in calm water”

New Regulations & Legislation New Regulations & Legislation

The list includes recent and forthcoming international regulations The list includes recent and forthcoming international regulations

Free-fall lifeboats
SOLAS III/33.2, LSA Code Chapter 4.4.1.3.2 The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the
International Maritime Organization (IMO) at its
107th session adopted the resolutions MSC.535(107)
and MSC.544(107) on 8 June 2023 to amend the LSA
Removal of the requirement to launch freefall lifeboats during a drill with Code and the associated amendments to the Revised
the ship making headway at speeds up to 5 knots in calm water. Entry into Recommendation on Testing of Life-Saving
force: 1 January 2024 Appliances (the “Revised Recommendation”) by
virtue of resolution MSC.81(70).

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New Regulations & Legislation New Regulations & Legislation

The list includes recent and forthcoming international regulations The list includes recent and forthcoming international regulations

Resolution MSC.535(107) introduces new

paragraphs 4.6.6 and 4.6.7 of Chapter IV of the In view of the above-mentioned change in Chapter IV of the amended LSA
LSA Code which provides performance Code and the Revised Recommendation in Resolution MSC.81(70) with
requirements for the ventilation of totally regard to ventilation test procedure for totally enclosed lifeboats,
enclosed lifeboats. Resolution MSC.544(107) is therefore modified accordingly.

The ventilation means may be of either a powered As such, the relevant provisions under paragraphs 6.10, 6.14, 7.4, 7.5 and
or passive type but shall satisfy the ventilation 7.6 of Part 1 of the annex to Resolution MSC.81(70) are amended to align
capacity of 5 m 3 /hour per person for the total with the associated amendments to the LSA Code as a result of the
number of persons the lifeboat is permitted to aforesaid Resolution MSC.535(107).
accommodate.

New Regulations & Legislation Case Study

The list includes recent and forthcoming international regulations
The amendments will enter into force on 1 January 2026 and are to
be applied to totally enclosed lifeboats installed on or after 1
January 2029, where the expression installed on or after 1 January
2029, means:

(a) for ships for which the building contract is placed on or after 1
January 2029, or in the absence of the contract, constructed on or
after 1 January 2029, any installation on the ship; or
(b) for ships other than those ships prescribed in (a) above, a
contractual delivery date for the equipment or, in the absence of a
contractual delivery date, the actual delivery of the equipment to
the ship on or after 1 January 2029.

Case Study Case Study

SART Test With RADAR Procedure

1) Switch SART to test mode

2) Hold SART View of Radar antenna

3) Check the visual indicator of the SART operates

4) Check the audible beeper of the SART operates

Check the radar display for concentric circles
should be displayed.

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Case Study Case Study

AIS-SART – Start using 1st January 2010

AIS-SART- IMO MSC 246 (83) < Search and Rescue Purposes AIS
SART Performance Criteria > (2007) standard requirements

automatically launch the ship’s (lifeboat / raft) identification and location information

AIS-SART VHF channels (CH2087, CH2088)

Case Study ECDIS Immersion Suit

Immersion suits stored using conventional methods
Physically inspected on a monthly basis in accordance
with IMO MSC/Circ.1047

Immersion suits packed in an airtight packaging

It changes the inspection from a physical check of the
immersion suit itself to a close visual examination of the
visible parts of the packed immersion suit and a check of
the integrity of the airtight packaging.

Packed Immersion Suit Deficiency???

The air pressure test required by Following a jump from a
MSC/Circ. 114 should be conducted height not less than 4.5m
at every required service by an into the water there is no
authorized service station at 3 years undue ingress of water
intervals, after which the suit must into the suit
Climb up and down
be re-bagged, providing the airtight
vertical ladder at least
bag sealing is checked by ship 5m in length
personnel at least annually and Perform normal duties
found to be intact. It is also associated with
recommended that, whenever abandonment
possible, inspections, as required by Swim a short distance
MSC/Circ. 1047 be carried out at the through the water and
same time. board a survival craft

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MSC.1/Circ.1578
Type 19 June 2017
GUIDELINES ON SAFETY DURING ABANDON SHIP DRILLS USING LIFEBOATS

The IMO has recently adopted an amendment for free-fall lifeboats to

SOLAS regulation III/20.11.2.4. under resolution MSC.325(90) which
allows the simulated launching instead of normal free-fall launch
during testing.

Enter into force on January 1st, 2014,

Procedures for holding safe drills should be included in the Safety

Management System (SMS) of the shipping companies.

Simulated launching should be carried out in accordance with the

manufacturer's instruction

Typical simulated launching sequence (SOLAS regulation III/19) Typical simulated launching sequence (SOLAS regulation III/19)

 Check equipment and documentation to ensure that all components of the lifeboat and launching
appliance are in good operational condition.

 Ensure that all personnel involved in the drill are familiar with the operating manuals, posters and signs.
Simulated launching should be carried out under the supervision of a
responsible person who should be an officer experienced in such
 Ensure that the restraining device(s) provided by the manufacturer for simulated launching are installed procedures and be conducted without the physical activation of the
and secure and that the free-fall release mechanism is fully and correctly engaged.
free-fall release system.
 Establish and maintain good communication between the assigned operating crew and the responsible
person. Testing of release systems should be separate to and not carried out
 Disengage lashings, gripes, etc. installed to secure the lifeboat for sea or for maintenance, except during simulated launching drills.
those required for simulated free-fall.

 Participating crew board the lifeboat and fasten their seatbelts under the supervision of the
responsible person.

 All crew disembark the lifeboat.

Port State Control Check Case Study

Check and Test

Sprinkler, Air bottles, Engine, Equipment, Operational readiness

Drill schedule
Boat Drill – Maneuvering (3months) – Launching (6months)

Drill Records
Method of Launching

Familiarization Secondary means of launching

Simulated Launching procedure

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Demonstration Fail Demonstration Fail

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