They are required to be serviced at intervals not exceeding 12 months
The Irish Department of Transport, Tourism, and Sport issued Marine Notice No.53-2012 providing an updated list of approved SOLAS liferaft service station in order to remind vessel owners and all seafarers that SOLAS and MED inflatable liferafts, inflated and rigid inflated rescue boats, inflated boats, inflated life jackets (including immersion suits complying with the requirements for lifejackets), hydrostatic release units (HRU’s) and marine evacuation systems, which form part of their vessels’ life-saving appliances, are required to be serviced at intervals not exceeding 12 months.
Annual servicing of inflatable liferafts, HRU’s and marine escape systems must be carried out by an approved liferaft service station which has been formally appointed by the manufacturer of the approved equipment. The names and contact details of the currently approved liferaft service stations in Ireland and which have been approved by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport are listed in Annex I.
Annual servicing of inflated lifejackets (including immersion suits complying with the requirements for lifejackets), inflated boats, inflated and rigid inflated rescue boats, must be carried out by a service station which has been formally appointed by the manufacturer of the approved equipment. Emergency repairs to a vessel’s inflated and rigid inflated rescue boats and inflated boats may be carried out on board that vessel, but permanent repairs shall be effected at a service station ashore as soon as practicable.
Click here to view Marine Notice No.53-2012