Date : 8th February, 2006

It has come to the notice of the Directorate that the pyrotechnics which are being used on board the ships and in life rafts are being misused by way of tampering the dates of expiry, supplying expired pyrotechnics, supply by unauthorized distributors, etc.  

Pyrotechnics are the safety item in the life saving appliances of the ships. The Nautical Adviser has taken a serious view of such malpractices, which may endanger lives at sea and hamper rescue operations.  To streamline the system, the directorate has taken following decisions for implementation by all concerned with immediate effect. 

1. The importers / distributors who are approved by the Directorate General of shipping are only authorized to import pyrotechnics for the brand / make they are approved. No other personnel / organizations are entitled to import such pyrotechnics.
2. The importers / distributors are required to maintain records of all the imports which will include the make, lot number, the imported quantity, custom clearance bill etc. These details shall be made available at all times to the personnel of the Directorate and its allied offices who may carry out such surprise visit to verify compliance of their circular. .
3. Importers / distributors shall maintain a record of all customers to whom they have supplied the pyrotechnics.
4. All shipowners are instructed to include a procedure in their SMS Manuals that shall enumerate the process of obtaining the pyrotechnics from the approved importer / distributor and thereafter placing on board their ships. The procedure shall include instructions to master for maintaining records of the pyrotechnics (when received in India )and details which must  include following:

i)                    Name of the supplier

ii)                   Copy of import invoice that shall bear the details of the product

iii)                 Copy of Letter of Acceptance issued by the Directorate to the importers / distributors. 

5. All surveyors appointed to carry out safety equipment survey and life raft inspection at authorized service station are to ensure that the pyrotechnics are genuine by scrutinising the details as stated above. In case of any non-conformity  or doubt, the matter may be brought to the notice of this Directorate (NT Br.) alongwith the relevant details. 
6. Life raft service stations approved by the Directorate General of shipping are also required to incorporate a procedure in their quality system for procuring pyrotechnics from the importers / distributors. They are also required to keep records as stated above for verification as and when required by the inspecting authority. 

Sd/-
(CAPT. J. S. UPPAL)
DY. NAUTICAL ADVISER TO THE GOVT. OF INDIA(I/C) 
-CUM- SR. D.D.G. (T)