At the ninety-sixth session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 96) held in May 2016, IMO Resolution MSC.402(96) on the requirements for maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear was adopted in conjunction with the adoption of the amendments to SOLAS III/3 and III/20 to make the MSC resolution mandatory.

Taking into account the provision of the resolutions, IACS reviewed unified requirements related to approval of service suppliers and adopted URZ17 (Rev.14) in March 2019.

The amendments of relevant Rules and Guidelines will come into force from 1 January 2020, but may apply before the effective date upon the request.

Outline of the amendment made to the Rules and Guidelines is as follows.
(1) The service provider which employs personnel carrying out servicing is to be authorized by the Administration. The Administration may accept or recognize service providers authorized by other Administrations or by their Recognized Organizations.
(2) Rescue boats are included to the application.

All parties concerned are reminded that from 1 January 2020, thorough examinations, operational tests, overhaul and repair of the equipment fitted on ships of not less than 500 gross tonnage engaged on international voyages are to be conducted by certified personnel of either the manufacturer or an authorized service provider.

Service providers are also reminded that their personnel for the work is certified in accordance IMO Resolution MSC.402(96) for each make and type of the equipment to be worked on. Makes and types of equipment, activities and the expiry date are to be clearly written on the certificate.
In case service providers already approved by this Society require to have the approval certificate rewritten, please apply for an Occasional Assessment to the ClassNK site office in charge.

Any instructions from the Administrations regarding IMO Resolution MSC.402(96), if received, will be informed separately.

(To be continued)