MSC.1/Circ.1277

INTERIM RECOMMENDATION ON CONDITIONS FOR AUTHORIZATION OF SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR LIFEBOATS, LAUNCHING APPLIANCES AND ON-LOAD RELEASE GEAR

(23 May 2008)

1. The Maritime Safety Committee, at its eighty-fourth session (7 to 16 May 2008), approved the Interim Recommendation on conditions for authorization of service providers for lifeboats, launching appliances and on-load release gear, set out in the annex, following the recommendations made by the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Equipment, at its fifty-first session.

2. Member Governments are invited to use the annexed Interim Recommendation when applying the relevant provisions of SOLAS regulation III/20 and the Guidelines for periodic servicing and maintenance of lifeboats, launching appliances and on-load release gear (MSC.1/Circ.1206), and to bring it to the attention of all parties concerned.

Annex.

INTERIM RECOMMENDATION ON CONDITIONS FOR AUTHORIZATION OF SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR LIFEBOATS, LAUNCHING APPLIANCES AND ON-LOAD RELEASE GEAR

1. Administrations should ensure that the thorough examination, operational testing, repair, and overhaul of lifeboats, launching appliances and on-load release gear are carried out in accordance with SOLAS regulation III/20 by service providers authorized by them that are qualified in these operations for each make and type of equipment for which they provide the service. Such qualification should include, as a minimum:

.1 employment and documentation of personnel certified in accordance with a recognized national, international or industry standard as applicable, or an equipment manufacturer's established certification program. In either case, the certification program should be based on the guidelines in the appendix for each make and type of equipment for which service is to be provided;

.2 availability of sufficient tools, and in particular any specialized tools specified in the equipment manufacturer's instructions, including portable tools as needed for work to be carried out on board ship;

.3 access to sufficient materials, spare parts and accessories as specified by the equipment manufacturer for repairing lifeboats, launching appliances and on-load release gear, as applicable;

.4 for servicing and repair work involving disassembly or adjustment of on-load release mechanisms, availability of the equipment manufacturer's specifications, and genuine replacement parts as specified or supplied by the equipment manufacturer; and

.5 a documented quality system, to include at least the following:

.1 code of conduct for the relevant activity;

.2 maintenance and calibration of equipment;

.3 training programmes for personnel;

.4 supervision and verification to ensure compliance with operational procedures;

.5 recording and reporting of information;

.6 quality management of subsidiaries and agents;

.7 job preparation; and

.8 periodic review of work process procedures, complaints, corrective actions and issuance, maintenance and control of documents.

A documented quality system complying with the most current version of the ISO 9000 series and including the above items, would be considered acceptable.