MSC 96/25/Add.

1
Annex 1, page 1

ANNEX 1

RESOLUTION MSC.402(96)
(adopted on 19 May 2016)

REQUIREMENTS FOR MAINTENANCE, THOROUGH EXAMINATION, OPERATIONAL

TESTING, OVERHAUL AND REPAIR OF LIFEBOATS AND RESCUE BOATS,
LAUNCHING APPLIANCES AND RELEASE GEAR

THE MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE,

RECALLING Article 28(b) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization

concerning the functions of the Committee,

RECALLING ALSO the Measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats (MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1)

and the Interim recommendation on conditions for authorization of service providers for lifeboats,
launching appliances and on-load release gear (MSC.1/Circ.1277) approved by it,

RECOGNIZING the need to establish a uniform, safe and documented standard for
maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats
(including free-fall lifeboats) and rescue boats (including fast rescue boats), launching
appliances and release gear,

NOTING that, by resolution MSC.404(96), it adopted amendments to regulations III/3 and III/20
of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 ("the Convention"),
concerning maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of
lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear,

NOTING ALSO that the aforementioned regulation III/20 of the Convention provides that
the maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair shall be
carried out in accordance with the Requirements for maintenance, thorough examination,
operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances
and release gear ("the Requirements"),

HAVING CONSIDERED, at its ninety-sixth session, the recommendation made by

the Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment, at its third session,

1 ADOPTS the Requirements for maintenance, thorough examination, operational

testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release
gear, the text of which is set out in the annex to the present resolution;

2 INVITES Contracting Governments to the Convention to note that the Requirements

will take effect on 1 January 2020 upon entry into force of the associated amendments to
regulations III/3 and III/20 of the Convention;

3 ALSO INVITES Contracting Governments to the Convention to take measures they

consider appropriate to ensure that national manufacturers of equipment certified under
chapter III of the Convention for installation and use on board ships undertake to ensure that
equipment, instructions, specialized tools, spare parts, training and accessories, as required,
are available to independent service providers in a timely and cost-effective manner;

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4 REQUESTS the Secretary-General to transmit certified copies of this resolution and

the text of the Requirements contained in the annex to all Contracting Governments to
the Convention;

5 REQUESTS ALSO the Secretary-General to transmit copies of this resolution and

the annex to all Members of the Organization which are not Contracting Governments to
the Convention.

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ANNEX

REQUIREMENTS FOR MAINTENANCE, THOROUGH EXAMINATION, OPERATIONAL

TESTING, OVERHAUL AND REPAIR OF LIFEBOATS AND RESCUE BOATS,
LAUNCHING APPLIANCES AND RELEASE GEAR

1 GENERAL

1.1 The objective of these Requirements for maintenance, thorough examination,

operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances
and release gear (the Requirements) is to establish a uniform, safe and documented standard
for maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of the equipment
specified in paragraph 2.1.

1.2 The detailed procedures covered by these Requirements are provided in section 6.

1.3 These Requirements relate to the following regulations:

.1 SOLAS regulation III/20 – Operational readiness, maintenance and

inspections; and

.2 SOLAS regulation III/36 – Instructions for onboard maintenance.

1.4 The Company1 shall ensure that maintenance, thorough examination, operational
testing, overhaul and repair on board its ships is conducted in accordance with these
Requirements and SOLAS regulation III/20. The Company shall establish and implement
health, safety and environment (HSE) procedures covering all activities set out in these
Requirements.

1.5 The personnel carrying out maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing
overhaul and repair as described in paragraphs 4.2 and 4.3 shall be certified by an authorized
service provider in accordance with the requirements specified in section 8. When performing
such activities on board ships they shall comply with health, safety and environment (HSE)
instructions and procedures established by the Company.

2 APPLICATION

2.1 These Requirements shall apply to the maintenance, thorough examination,

operational testing, overhaul and repair of:

.1 lifeboats (including free-fall lifeboats), rescue boats and fast rescue boats; and

.2 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.

2.2 For the purpose of these Requirements:

.1 Authorized service provider means an entity authorized by the Administration

in accordance with section 3 and section 7.

1
For the purpose of these Requirements, Company is as defined in SOLAS regulation IX/1.2.

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.2 Equipment means the aforementioned equipment to which the Requirements

apply.

.3 Manufacturer means the original equipment manufacturer or any entity which

has taken legal and legitimate responsibilities for equipment when the original
equipment manufacturer no longer exists or supports the equipment.

.4 Off-load release mechanism means a release mechanism which releases

the survival craft/rescue boat/fast rescue boat when it is waterborne or when
there is no load on the hooks.

.5 On-load release mechanism means a release mechanism which releases

the survival craft/rescue boat/fast rescue boat with load on the hooks.

.6 Repair means any activities requiring disassembly of equipment, or any other

activities outside the scope of the instructions for on-board maintenance and
for emergency repair of life-saving appliances prepared in accordance
with SOLAS regulations III/36.2 and III/35.3.18, respectively.

.7 Overhaul means a periodical activity defined by the manufacturer that proves

continued fitness for purpose for a defined period subject to correct
maintenance.

3 AUTHORIZATION

3.1 Administrations shall ensure that the thorough examination, operational testing, repair
and overhaul of equipment (see paragraphs 4.2 and 4.3) shall be carried out in accordance
with SOLAS regulation III/20 by service providers authorized in accordance with section 7.

3.2 The requirements in section 7 shall equally apply to manufacturers when they are
acting as authorized service providers.

4 QUALIFICATION LEVELS AND CERTIFICATION

4.1 Weekly and monthly inspections and routine maintenance as specified in the equipment
maintenance manual(s), shall be conducted by authorized service providers, or by shipboard
personnel under the direction of a senior ship's officer in accordance with the maintenance
manual(s).

4.2 Annual thorough examinations and operational tests, as described in section 6.2, shall
be conducted by certified personnel of either the manufacturer or an authorized service
provider in accordance with section 7 and section 8. The service provider may be the ship
operator provided that it is authorized in accordance with section 3 and section 7.

4.3 Five-year thorough examination, any overhaul, overload operational tests2, as

described in section 6.3, and repair shall be conducted by certified personnel of either
the manufacturer or an authorized service provider in accordance with section 7 and section 8.

2
See SOLAS regulations III/20.11.1.2, III/20.11.2.2 and III/20.11.3.2.

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5 REPORTS AND RECORDS

5.1 All reports and checklists shall be completed and signed by the person who carries
out the inspection and maintenance work and countersigned by the Company's representative
or the ship's master.

5.2 Records of maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and

repair shall be updated and filed on board the ship for the service life of the equipment.

5.3 When thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair are completed,
a statement confirming that the lifeboat arrangements remain fit for purpose shall be promptly
issued by the manufacturer or authorized service provider that conducted the work. A copy of
valid documents of certification and authorization as appropriate shall be included with
the statement.

6 SPECIFIC PROCEDURES FOR INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE, THOROUGH

EXAMINATION, OPERATIONAL TESTING, OVERHAUL AND REPAIR

6.1 General/Maintenance

6.1.1 Any inspection, maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul

and repair shall be carried out according to the maintenance manuals and associated technical
documentation developed by the manufacturer.

6.1.2 A full set of maintenance manuals and associated technical documentation as

specified in paragraph 6.1.1 shall be available on board.

6.1.3 The maintenance manuals and associated technical documentation as specified in

paragraph 6.1.1 shall include the items listed in sections 6.2 and 6.3 as a minimum and shall
be kept up to date by the Company taking into account relevant information provided by
the manufacturer.

6.2 Annual thorough examination and operational test

6.2.1 All items listed in checklists for the weekly/monthly inspections required by SOLAS
regulations III/20.6 and III/20.7 also form the first part of the annual thorough examination.

6.2.2 Records of inspections and routine on-board maintenance carried out by the ship's
crew and the applicable certificates for the equipment shall be reviewed.

6.2.3 For lifeboats (including free-fall lifeboats), rescue boats and fast rescue boats,
the following items shall be thoroughly examined and checked for satisfactory condition and
operation:

.1 condition of the boat structure including fixed and loose equipment (including
a visual examination of the external boundaries of the void spaces, as far as
practicable);

.2 engine and propulsion system;

.3 sprinkler system, where fitted;

.4 air supply system, where fitted;

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.5 manoeuvring system;

.6 power supply system;

.7 bailing system;

.8 fender/skate arrangements; and

.9 rescue boat righting system, where fitted.

6.2.4 For release gear of lifeboats (including free-fall lifeboats), rescue boats, fast rescue
boats and liferafts, the following shall be thoroughly examined for satisfactory condition 3 and
operation after the annual operational test of the winch brake with the empty boat or equivalent
load, as required by paragraph 6.2.10:

.1 operation of devices for activation of release gear;

.2 excessive free play (tolerances);

.3 hydrostatic interlock system, where fitted;

.4 cables for control and release; and

.5 hook fastening.

Notes: 1 The setting and maintenance of release gear are critical operations
with regard to maintaining the safe operation of lifeboats (including
free-fall lifeboats), rescue boats, fast rescue boats and davit launched
liferafts. Utmost care shall be taken when carrying out all inspection
and maintenance operations on the equipment.

2 No maintenance or adjustment of the release gear shall be

undertaken while the hooks are under load.

6.2.5 The operational test of davit-launched lifeboats' and rescue boats' on-load release
function shall be carried out as follows:

.1 position the boat partially in the water such that the mass of the boat is
substantially supported by the falls and the hydrostatic interlock system,
where fitted, is not triggered;

.2 operate the on-load release gear;

.3 reset the on-load release gear; and

.4 examine the release gear and hook fastening to ensure that the hook is
completely reset and no damage has occurred.

3
Hanging-off pennants may be used for this purpose but should not remain connected at other times, such
as when the lifeboat is normally stowed and during training exercises. The release gear is to be examined
prior to its operational test. The release gear is to be re-examined after its operational test and the operational
test of the winch brake. Special consideration shall be given to ensure that no damage has occurred during
the winch brake test, especially to the hook fastening.

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6.2.6 The operational test of davit-launched lifeboats' and rescue boats' off-load release
function shall be carried out as follows:

.1 position the boat so that it is fully waterborne;

.2 operate the off-load release gear;

.3 reset the off-load release gear; and

.4 recover the boat to the stowed position and prepare for operational readiness.

During the test, prior to hoisting, it shall be checked that the release gear is completely and
properly reset. The final turning-in of the boat shall be done without any persons on board.

6.2.7 The operational test of the free-fall lifeboat release function shall be carried out as
follows:

.1 engage the arrangements for the test without launching the lifeboat, required
by paragraph 4.7.6.4 of the LSA Code, as specified in the manufacturer's
operating instructions;

.2 if required to be on board, ensure that the operator is properly seated and

secured in the seat location from which the release mechanism is to be
operated;

.3 operate the release mechanism to release the lifeboat;

.4 reset the lifeboat in the stowed configuration;

.5 repeat the procedures referred to in .2 to .4 above, using the back-up release

mechanism, if applicable;

.6 remove the arrangements for the test without launching the lifeboat, required
by paragraph 4.7.6.4 of the LSA Code; and

.7 verify that the lifeboat is in the ready to launch stowed configuration.

6.2.8 The operational test of the davit-launched liferaft automatic release function shall be
carried out as follows:

.1 manually release the hook with a load of 150 kg on the hook;

.2 automatically release the hook with a dummy weight of 200 kg on the hook
when it is lowered to the ground; and

.3 examine the release hook and hook fastening to ensure that the hook is
completely reset and no damage has occurred.

If a raft is used for the test instead of a dummy weight, the automatic release function shall
release the raft when waterborne.

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6.2.9 For launching appliances for lifeboats (including free-fall lifeboats), rescue boats, fast
rescue boats and liferafts, the following items shall be examined for satisfactory condition and
operation:

.1 davit or other launching structures, in particular with regard to corrosion,

misalignments, deformation and excessive free play;

.2 wires and sheaves, possible damage such as kinks and corrosion;

.3 lubrication of wires, sheaves and moving parts; and

.4 if applicable:

.1 functioning of limit switches;

.2 stored power systems;

.3 hydraulic systems; and

.5 for winches:

.1 inspecting the braking system in accordance with winch manual;

.2 replacing brake pads, when necessary;

.3 winch foundation; and

.4 if applicable:

.1 remote control system; and

.2 power supply system.

6.2.10 For winches of the launching appliances for lifeboats (including free-fall lifeboats),
rescue boats, fast rescue boats and liferafts, annual operational testing shall be done by
lowering the empty craft or boat or equivalent load. When the craft has reached its maximum
lowering speed and before the craft enters the water, the brake shall be abruptly applied.
Following these tests, the stressed structural parts shall be reinspected where the structure
permits the reinspection.

6.3 Five-year thorough examination, overhaul and overload operational tests

6.3.1 The five-year operational test of the winches of the launching appliances shall be
carried out with a proof load equal to 1.1 times the weight of the survival craft or rescue boat
and its full complement of persons and equipment. When the proof load has reached its
maximum lowering speed, the brake shall be abruptly applied.4

6.3.2 Following these tests, the stressed structural parts shall be reinspected where
the structure permits the reinspection.

4
If a craft or boat is used for this test, precautions should be taken to ensure that the stability of the craft or
boat is not adversely affected by free surface effects or the raising of the centre of gravity when loading the
craft or boat.
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6.3.3 The operational tests and overhaul at five-year intervals of release gear for lifeboats
(including free-fall lifeboats), rescue boats, fast rescue boats and liferafts shall include:

.1 dismantling of hook release units;

.2 examinations with regard to tolerances and design requirements;

.3 adjustment of release gear system after assembly;

.4 operational tests as per paragraphs 6.2.5, 6.2.6, 6.2.7 or 6.2.8 above, as

applicable, but with a load equal to 1.1 times the weight of the survival craft
4
or rescue boat and its full complement of persons and equipment ; and

.5 examinations of vital parts with regard to defects and cracks5.

6.3.4 Any other overhaul if required shall be carried out in accordance with paragraph 6.3.3.

7 REQUIREMENTS FOR AUTHORIZATION OF SERVICE PROVIDERS

7.1 Authorization as required by paragraph 3.1 shall include, as a minimum,

demonstration of:

.1 employment and documentation of personnel certified in accordance with

a recognized national, international or industry standard as applicable, or
a manufacturer's established certification programme. In either case,
the certification programme shall comply with section 8 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 manufacturer's instructions, including portable tools as needed for
work to be carried out on board ship;

.3 access to appropriate parts and accessories as specified for maintenance

and repair;

.4 availability of the manufacturer's instructions for repair work involving

disassembly or adjustment of on-load release mechanisms and davit winches;
and

.5 a documented and certified quality system, which covers at least the following:

.1 code of conduct for personnel involved in the relevant activity;

.2 maintenance and calibration of measuring tools and gauges;

.3 training programmes for personnel;

.4 supervision and verification to ensure compliance with operational

procedures;

.5 recording and reporting of information;

4 If a craft or boat is used for this test, precautions should be taken to ensure that the stability of the craft
or boat is not adversely affected by free surface effects or the raising of the centre of gravity when
loading the craft or boat.
5
Non-destructive examination (NDE) techniques, such as dye penetrants (DPE), may be suitable.
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.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.

Note: A documented quality system complying with the most current

version of the ISO 9000 series and including the above items would
be considered acceptable.

7.2 Administrations shall ensure that information regarding authorized service providers
is made available.

7.3 In cases where a manufacturer is no longer in business or no longer provides

technical support, Administrations may authorize service providers for the equipment on
the basis of prior authorization for the equipment and/or long-term experience and
demonstrated expertise as an authorized service provider.

7.4 Issuance and maintenance of authorization document:

.1 upon successful initial audit of a service provider, an authorization document

shall be issued by the Administration defining the scope of services provided
(e.g. makes and types of equipment). The expiry date shall be clearly written
on the document;

.2 the Administration shall ensure that work continues, e.g. by periodic audit,
to be carried out in accordance with these Requirements, and shall withdraw
the authorization of service providers who are not in compliance; and

.3 the Administration may accept or recognize service providers authorized by

other Administrations or by their Recognized Organizations.

8 REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL

8.1 Personnel for the work specified in paragraphs 4.2 and 4.3 shall be certified by
the manufacturer or authorized service provider for each make and type of the equipment to
be worked on in accordance with the provisions in this section.

8.2 Education and training

8.2.1 Initial certification shall be issued only to personnel having completed education,
training and competence assessment. Education shall address, as a minimum:

.1 relevant rules and regulations, including international conventions;

.2 design and construction of lifeboats (including free-fall lifeboats), rescue

boats and fast rescue boats, including on-load release gear and launching
appliances;

.3 causes of lifeboat and rescue boat accidents;

.4 education and practical training in the procedures specified in section 6 for

which certification is sought;

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.5 detailed procedures for thorough examination, operational testing, repair and

overhaul of lifeboat (including free-fall lifeboats), rescue boats and fast rescue
boats, launching appliances and on-load release gear, as applicable;

.6 procedures for issuing a report of service and statement of fitness for

purpose based on paragraph 5.3; and

.7 work, health and safety issues while conducting activities on board.

8.2.2 Training shall include practical technical training on thorough examination, operational
testing, maintenance, repair and overhaul techniques using the equipment for which the personnel
are to be certified. The technical training shall include disassembly, reassembly, correct
operation and adjustment of the equipment. Classroom training shall be supplemented by field
experience in the operations for which certification is sought, under the supervision of
a certified person.

8.2.3 Prior to issuance of certification, a competency assessment shall be satisfactorily

completed, using the equipment for which the personnel are to be certified.

8.3 Validity of certificates and renewal

8.3.1 Upon completion of training and competency assessment, a certificate shall be issued
defining the level of qualification and the scope of the certification (i.e. makes and types of
equipment and specifically state which activities in paragraphs 4.2 and 4.3 are covered by
the certification). The expiry date shall clearly be written on the certificate and shall be three
years from the date of issue. The validity of any certificate shall be suspended in the event of
any shortfall in performance and only revalidated after a further competency assessment.

8.3.2 A competency assessment shall be conducted to renew the certification. In cases

where refresher training is found necessary a further assessment shall be carried out after
completion.

***

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