Transport Malta issued Technical Notice SLS.24 Rev.1 for omission of "Launching at 5 knots" test of Rescue boat(s) and Lifeboat(s) for sister ships.

Previously, the omission of "Launching at 5 knots" test for sister ships during new building had not been accepted for Lifeboat(s). By the notice and detailed instruction, the omission of "Launching at 5 knots" test of not only Rescue Boat(s) but also Lifeboat(s) for sister ships is accepted subject to confirmation of the following:

1. the sister ships are built according to the same plans of the lead ship on which the test has been carried out;
2. they are provided with Rescue Boat(s), Lifeboat(s) and Launching arrangement(s) that are identical to those on the lead ship on which the launch test has been carried out as stated as above 1.; and
3. type of Rescue Boat(s) and Lifeboat(s) are the same.

This instruction may apply to ships of which the keels were laid or which were at a similar stage of construction on or after 13 March 2013 for Rescue Boat(s) and 26 March 2025 for Life boat(s).

For existing ships undergoing the replacement of lifeboat release and retrieval systems as required by MSC.1/Circ.1392, the demonstration test by other equivalent method(s) may be accepted.

For any questions about the above, please contact:

NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK)
Survey Department, Administration Center Annex, Head Office
Address: 3-3 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0094, Japan
Tel.: +81-3-5226-2027 / 2028
Fax: +81-3-5226-2029
E-mail: svd@classnk.or.jp