Dated:July 2, 2008

Sub: Applicability of Para 4 of M.S. Notice No.5 of 2007- Delegation of power for inspection of equipment relating to safety equipments to IRS

Ref:     MSL Branch letter No.MSL-11(19)/95-I, dt.28.12.2007 

Inspection of certain safety equipments under SOLAS was delegated to IRS as listed below, vide the reference stated above. 

(i)                 Inflatable Life Raft & Life Boat Annual Servicing;

(ii)               EPIRB & SART Annual Servicing;

(iii)             Life Boat davit testing as per SOLAS Reg.III/20.1;

(iv)              CO₂ Cylinder Hydrostatic Stretch test;

(v)                CO₂ Cylinder weighment;

(vi)              Fixed Fire Extinguishing System 5/10/15/20 yearly surveys. 

            However, the responsibility for the TYPE approval of indigenously manufactured ships safety equipment/appliances was required to be carried out by the surveyors of the Administration in respect of the following four items:  

            1.         Life Boat Wire Falls testing;

2.         Fire Detection System & Fixed Fire Extinguishing System Initial Approval;

            3.         Life Buoy & Life Jacket batch test;

4.         Test conducted during type approval to manufacture Fire Fighting & Life Saving appliances/materials/equipment. 

            It has come to the notice of DGS that some of the MMD Surveyors are continuing to inspect safety equipments/life saving appliances/fire fighting appliances even through the said jurisdiction has been fully transferred to IRS through Delegation.  Therefore, this is to clarify that none of the work delegated to IRS, more specifically, the workload of IRS delegated to them vide letter No.MSL-11(19)/95-I, dated 28.12.2007 is to be inspected by MMDs. 

            It is also learnt that MMDs continue to issue/endorse/counter signature/seal on the Certificates of Servicing of Life rafts as per Para ‘h’ of Circular No.NT/LSA/01/06 dated 08.02.2006.  It is clarified that all the required endorsement in respect of delegated work should be done by IRS only and there is no need for endorsement by MMD. 

            In order to centralize the inspections relating to safety equipments and compliance with approved standards relating to TYPE approval of indigenously manufactured items, the following responsibilities are delegated to IRS w.e.f.    1^st August 2008:  

1.                  Life Boat Wire Falls testing;

2.                  Fire Detection System & Fixed Fire Extinguishing System Initial Approval;

3.                  Life Buoy & Life Jacket batch test;

4.                  Test conducted during type approval to manufacture Fire Fighting & Life Saving appliances/materials/equipment.

5.                  Navigational and Communication equipment. 

            After conducting the required tests, IRS will forward a copy of the Test reports and Certificate issued to the Directorate, as all information relating to Maritime Administration must be centralized with DGS. 

            All stations involved in the servicing of Life Saving Appliances, Navigational Aids, Fire Fighting Appliances and Life and Sound Signals shall however be subjected to audits as deemed necessary by the maritime administration, subject to a specific order in writing by DGS through the Nautical Branch, to be carried out by the MMD.  Report of such inspections/audits shall be forwarded to the DGS through the Nautical Branch. 

            The date-wise detailed record of break-up servicing of each Life Saving Appliance, Navigational Aid, Fire Fighting Appliance and Light and Sound Signal as carried out by a service station for use on board any Indian Ship and certified/endorsed by the IRS, shall be submitted to the Principal Officer of the district, every month.  Similarly, a report will be submitted to the Nautical branch of DGS in each type approval granted. 

            This issues with the approval of the Director General of Shipping and ex-Officio Additional Secretary to Govt. of India.

Sd/-
(Samuel Darse)
Dy. Director General of Shipping