Date :25th July, 2006

It has been brought to the notice of this Directorate that Surveyors of the Mercantile Marine Department while conducting Flag State Inspections, Safety Equipment Surveys and first entry surveys on vessels are insisting on Letter of Acceptance (LOA) in respect of Life Saving Appliances that exist on board the ship while she is being inspected for the purpose of registration. 

2.         The subject has been examined in the Directorate and the Nautical Adviser to the Govt. of India hereby issues the following directives: 

(1)   Life Saving Appliances (LSA) manufactured in India must have the approval of the Directorate General of Shipping / Nautical Adviser to the Govt. of India. 

(2)   Life Saving Appliances (LSA) that exist while the ship is being registered under Indian  Flag may not be in possession of the Letter of Approval (LOA) provided the LSA is approved in accordance with the relevant provisions of the SOLAS 74 as amended and relevant provisions of the LSA Code and applicable IMO Assembly Resolutions. 

(3)    Any Subsequent Life Saving Appliances placed or installed on board the ship in India shall have the type approval or LOA issued by this directorate. 

3.         Whenever a doubt exists the matter may be referred to the Nautical Adviser to the Govt. of India in the Directorate, for clarification. 

 Yours faithfully,

  Sd/-
(CAPT. R.K. Awasthi)
Nautical Surveyor-cum-DDG (Tech.)