Dated 18th June, 2007

Reference: Engineering Circular No.78 dated 26.12.2006

            During the IMO MSC 82 discussions were held regarding practical difficulties in the implementation of MSC 1 / Circ. 1206, mainly related to the training and certification of servicing personnel by the manufacturers, and due to the suitability of the geographical coverage of manufacturers’ representation.   The Committee having recognized the existing difficulties in the implementation of the provisions contained in MSC.1/Circ. 1026, and while expressing support for the principle of making all or part of the above-mentioned provisions mandatory when the difficulties reported in the documents under consideration have been overcome, agreed to keep the circular non-mandatory at this stage. 

Concurrently, the Committee also agreed to refer the above mentioned documents to the DE sub-committee for detailed consideration and advice, in order that the final decision of the Committee on the matter becomes effective by 2010. 

In view of the above and in suppression of Engineering Circular No.78 dated 13.12.2006, following guidelines are required to be followed;  

1a) Service Items – Launching Appliances (Regulation 20.11.1)

A)  Annual thorough examinations shall be carried out based on the guidelines of MSC.1/Circ.1206, Appendix of Annex 1, Paragraph 2 as far as applicable.

This requirement applies annually to all launching appliances. 

The thorough examination shall be conducted either by:  

• Manufacturer without attendance of authorized surveyor or

• Personnel appropriately trained and certified by manufacturer without attendance of authorized surveyor or

• In the situation where manufacturer’s certified facilities are not available in the port, service personnel trained by some other reputed and approved manufacturer in the presence of authorized surveyor.  Workshop carrying out the test / servicing in India to be registered with the Directorate.

B1)   Annual dynamic load tests shall be carried out by lowering the empty boat based on the guidelines of MSC.1/Circu. 1206, Appendix of Annex 1, Paragraph 3.1 and 3.3 as far as applicable. 

The test shall be conducted either by:

• Manufacturer without attendance of authorized surveyor  or

• Personnel appropriately trained and certified by manufacturer without attendance of authorized surveyor or

• In the situation where manufacturer’s certified facilities are not available in the port, service personnel trained by some other reputed and approved manufacturer in the presence of authorized surveyor.  Workshop carrying out the test / servicing in India to be registered with the Directorate.

B2)   5-yearly dynamic load tests shall be carried out with test weight 1.1 x GA based on the guidelines of MSC.1/Circ. 1206, Appendix of Annex 1, Paragraph 3.2 and

         3.3 as far as applicable.  This requirement applies 5-yearly to all launching appliances with fall and winch including cranes and davits for freefall lifeboats.

The test shall be conducted either by: 

• Manufacturer in presence of authorized surveyor  or

• Personnel appropriately trained and certified by manufacturer in presence of authorized surveyor  or

• In the situation where manufacturer’s certified facilities are not available in the port, service personnel trained by some other reputed and approved manufacturer in the presence of authorized surveyor.  Workshop carrying out the test / servicing in India to be registered with the Directorate.

The annual / 5-yearly dynamic load tests under B1 and B2 have always to be conducted upon completion of the related annual thorough examination under A. 

1b)  Lifeboat on-load Release Gear (Regulation 20.11.2)

B)    Annual thorough examinations shall be carried out based on the guidelines of MSC.1/Circ.1206,
 Appendix of Annex 1, Paragraph 2.5 

The thorough examination shall be conducted either by:

• Manufacturer without attendance of authorized surveyor  or

• Personnel appropriately trained and certified by manufacturer without attendance of authorized surveyor or

• In the situation where manufacturer’s certified facilities are not available in the port, service personnel trained by some other reputed and approved manufacturer in the presence of authorized surveyor.  Workshop carrying out the test / servicing in India to be registered with the Directorate.

D)   Annual operational tests shall be carried out based on the guidelines of MSC.1/Circ. 1206, Appendix of
Annex 1, Paragraphs 2.6 and 2.7

The test shall be conducted either by:

• Manufacturer without attendance of authorized surveyor  or

• Personnel appropriately trained and certified by manufacturer without attendance of authorized surveyor  or

•  In the situation where manufacture certified facilities are not available in the port, service personnel trained by some other reputed and approved manufacturer in the presence of authorized surveyor.  Workshop carrying out the test / servicing in India to be registered with the Directorate.

E)  5- yearly overhauling and operational test with test weight 1.1 x GA shall be carried out based on the guidelines of MSC.1/ Circ.1206, Appendix 1, Paragraph 4.

The overhauling and test shall be conducted either by:

• Manufacturer without attendance of authorized surveyor  or

• Personnel appropriately trained and certified by manufacturer without attendance of authorized surveyor  or

• In the situation where manufacturer’s certified facilities are not available in the port, service personnel trained by some other reputed and approved manufacturer in the presence of authorized surveyor.  Workshop carrying out the test / servicing in India to be registered with the Directorate.

2a)  Records / Due Dates – Records

Records of thorough examinations, overhauling and tests are required as follows :

i.)      Thorough examination / overhauling / test conducted by the manufacturer : service/test report witnessed by the manufacturer 

ii.)      Thorough examination / overhauling / test conducted by service personnel appropriately trained and certified by manufacturer : service/test report witnessed by the service personnel and copy of manufacturer certificate 

iii.)     Thorough examination / overhauling / test conducted by other service personnel : service / test report witnessed by the service personnel and authorized surveyor

Sd/-
(D.Mehrotra)
Dy. Chief Surveyor cum Sr.DDG(Tech)

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