MPA Singapore issued a circular providing information on the implementation of the requirements on life saving appliances for Singapore registered ships (SRS) as adopted by MSC 96, which will take effect on 1st January 2020 upon entry into force of the associated amendments to Regulations III/3 and III/20 of the SOLAS Convention.
Amendments on life saving appliances were adopted during the 96th session of IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 96) in May 2016, introducing that maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing overhaul and repair of the following must be performed by authorized service providers:
- lifeboats (including free-fall lifeboats), rescue boats and fast rescue boats; and
- launching appliances and on-load and off-load release gear for lifeboats (including primary and secondary means of launching appliances for free-fall lifeboats), rescue boats, fast rescue boats and davit-launched liferafts.
Resolution MSC.402(96) also requires service providers carrying out maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear to be approved by the Administration in accordance with paragraph 7 of the Resolution.
This requirement shall equally apply to manufacturers when they are acting as authorized service providers.
In accordance to paragraph 7.4.3 of Resolution MSC.402(96), the MPA Singapore has authorized its Recognized Organisations (ROs) to approve the service providers on its behalf and will accept the service providers approved by its ROs.
Ship owners, managers, operators and masters of SRS are reminded to ensure that maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear carried out onboard its ships on or after 1 January 2020 are in accordance with the requirements.
Q&As
- Will MPA carry out the approval of service providers carrying out maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear service providers (“service providers”) located in Singapore and overseas?
MPA has authorized 8 Recognised Organisations (ROs) to carry out the approval of service providers located in Singapore and overseas on its behalf. MPA will not carry out any direct approval of service providers. Service providers seeking approval should contact any of ROs.
- Will all service providers carrying out maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear need to be approved by MPA?
All service providers that carry out the services onboard SRS on or after 1 January 2020 will need to be approved by our ROs. With reference to paragraph 7.1.1 of Resolution MSC.402(96), MPA has informed our ROs that the authorisation of service providers shall include demonstration of employment and documentation of personnel certified in accordance with the manufacturer’s established certification programme. Personnel certified with a standard other than the manufacturer’s established certification programme will not be accepted. The only exception applies to the original equipment manufacturer when carrying out the services on its own equipment. In such cases, the original equipment manufacturer need not be approved by ROs.
- Where can I find information regarding the availability of authorized service provider in Singapore and overseas?
All MPA Singapore ROs are requested to promulgate the information of approved service provider on their respective websites and made available to the shipping community.
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