Testing Of Lifeboats and Associated Equipment

Shipping Notice: CISN 01/2007

Published 12th March 2007, 11:10am

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IMO MSC.1/Circ.1206 on Measures to Prevent Accidents with Lifeboats.

Included with this circular are a number of guidelines with the objective of establishing a uniform, safe and documented process for periodic servicing and maintaining lifeboats, launching appliances and on load release gear.

Since the adoption of this circular a number of difficulties have been experienced in complying with the required testing of this equipment. Experience has shown that this is especially relevant when the testing is required to be carried out either by, or in the presence of, the manufacturer. In many cases the original manufacturer is no longer in business, in others the manufacturer does not support a worldwide association of service agents.

Recognizing these difficulties, IMO again debated the subject in December 2006 at MSC 82. IMO concluded that MSC.1/Circ.1206 will remain non-mandatory until a comprehensive network of competent and capable service suppliers can be identified and appropriately approved. This goal is expected to be achieved by 2010. At that time IMO will make mandatory provisions for the servicing and testing of lifeboats and their associated equipment.

Until such mandatory provisions enter force, this Shipping Notice sets out the Cayman Islands policy to give effect to the current guidelines, as requested in operative paragraph 7 of MSC.1/Circ.1206.

As the Maritime Safety Committee of IMO and its various sub committees will meet several times before the development of the provisions are finalized and made mandatory, the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry will regularly review this Shipping Notice to ensure that its contents remain both relevant and appropriate.

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