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1. Reference is made to our Technical Circular No. 038/2019, dated 15th November 2019 reg Maintenance, thorough examination, operational tests, overhaul and repair of Lifeboats including free-fall lifeboats, Rescue boats and fast rescue boats, launching appliances and release gears in accordance with the specifications contained in new IMO
   Resolution MSC.402(96).
   
   
2. Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), GOI has now issued M.S.Notice 01 of 2020 (copy attached) providing mandatory requirements for authorization of service provider intending to carry out ‘Maintenance, Thorough Examination, Operational Testing, Overhaul and Repair of Lifeboats and Rescue Boats, Launching Appliances and Release Gear’ as required by SOLAS Regulation III/20 as amended.
   
   
3. Accordingly, all safety equipment service providers undertaking servicing of life boats, rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear for lifeboats, rescue boats, fast rescue boats and davit launched life rafts, in India must be registered with the Directorate General of Shipping in accordance with the provisions of M.S.Notice 01 of 2020.
   
   
4. Existing authorized service providers holding authorization document (Certificate of registration as safety equipment servicing station) prior to issuance of M.S.Notice 01 of 2020 (06 January 2020) are required to comply with the provision of the Notice within six months from the date of issue of the Notice, for issuance of fresh authorization document.
   
   
5. Authorization as service provider equally applies to manufacturers when they are acting as authorized service providers. In other words, a service branch of a manufacturer also needs to obtain authorization.
   
   
6. Personnel who perform the ‘annual thorough examinations and operational tests’ and ‘five-year thorough examinations, any overhaul, overload operational tests and repair’ must be certified by the manufacturer or authorized service provider in accordance with manufacturer’s established certification program complying with section 8 of IMO Resolution MSC. 402(96) for each make and type of the equipment for which service is to be provided.
   
   
7. Authorized service provider of the Directorate other than the manufacturer can only undertake training, competency assessment and certification of personnel as above when they have been exclusively granted such approval by the manufacturer under their established training programme / supervision and authorized service providers are required to submit a copy of such manufacturer’s approval. 
   
   
8. When thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair are completed, a statement confirming that the lifesaving appliances / equipment arrangements remains fit for purpose is to be issued by the attending service personnel. A copy of valid documents of certification of personnel and copy of DG Shipping authorization (Certificate ofregistration) is to be included with the servicing reports.
   
   
9. Ship owners, operators and masters of Indian flagged vessels are advised to ensure that;
   
   ➢The Service Supplier undertaking servicing of life boats, rescue boats, launching appliances and release gears for lifeboats, rescue boats, fast rescue boats and davit launched life rafts, in India must be registered with the Directorate General of Shipping in accordance with the provision of M.S.Notice 1 of 2020.;
   
   ➢ In foreign ports, a service provider authorized by the Maritime Administration of that foreign port or by their Recognized Organizations may be employed.
   
   ➢ Service personnel who perform the ‘annual thorough examinations and operational tests’ and ‘five-year thorough examinations, any overhaul, overload operational tests and repair’ are certified by the manufacturer or authorized service provider in accordance with manufacturer’s established certification program complying with section 8 of IMO Resolution MSC. 402(96) for each make and type of the equipment for which service is provided.
   
   ➢ A copy of valid documents of certification of personnel and authorization of the service provider as appropriate is included with the servicing report issued by the manufacturer or authorized service provider that conducted the work.
   
   
10. Service providers intending to carry out servicing of life boats, rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear for lifeboats, rescue boats, fast rescue boats and davit launched life rafts for Indian flagged vessels are advised to ensure compliance with the provisions of M.S.Notice 01 of 2020.

Enclosure:

• DGS M.S.Notice 01 of 2020, dated 06 January 2020

Disclaimer:

This Technical Circular and the material contained in it is provided only for the purpose of supplying current information to the reader and not as an advice to be relied upon by any person. While we have taken utmost care to be as factual as possible, readers/ users are advised to verify the exact text and content of the Regulation from the original source/ issuing Authority.

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