TECHNICAL AND REGULATORY NEWS No.
18/2019 – STATUTORY
NEW IMO REQUIREMENTS ON
AUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDERS
FOR LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES
Relevant for ship owners and managers, yards, suppliers and flag states.
October 2019
New IMO requirements for the maintenance, examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair
of lifeboats and rescue boats is entering into force on 1 January 2020. This statutory news is an
updated version of news 22/2017, providing information on the new requirements and guidance
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on how to ensure compliance. ﺑﺎﻟﻔوﻟدر
The scope is further described in the IMO Resolution MSC.402(96),
sections 6.1 (general), 6.2 (annual thorough examination and
operational tests) and 6.3 (five-yearly thorough examination,
overhaul and overload operational tests).
Authorized service provider*
An authorized service provider* is an entity authorized by the
flag administration (or its recognized organizations, ROs) in
accordance with the requirements given in the IMO Resolution
MSC.402(96), section 8. The authorization shall be limited to each
Application make and type** of equipment to be serviced. Flag administra-
According to the IMO Resolution MSC.402(96), from 1 January tions (or their ROs) will issue the authorization document and
2020, maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing ensure that information regarding authorized service providers
overhaul and repair of the following items shall be carried out is made available.
by authorized service providers*:
Unless flag administration instructs otherwise, original equip-
Lifeboats (including free-fall lifeboats), rescue boats and fast ment manufacturers (OEM) are not required to be authorized
rescue boats when acting as service providers for their own equipment,
Launching appliances as well as on-load and off-load release however, their personnel need to be certified. IACS UR Z17
gear for lifeboats (including primary and secondary means Rev.14 corresponds to IMO Resolution MSC.402(96), so an AoSS
of launching appliances for free-fall lifeboats), rescue boats, (Approval of Service Supplier) certificate referring to IACS UR
fast rescue boats and davit-launched life rafts Z17 Rev.14 would be considered equivalent to one referring to
the IMO Resolution MSC.402(96).
Qualification levels
The following inspection intervals are described: Flag administrations may also accept or recognize service
Weekly and monthly inspections shall be conducted by providers authorized by other administrations or by their ROs.
authorized service providers, or by shipboard personnel In cases where a manufacturer is no longer in business or no
under the direction of a senior ship’s officer in accordance longer provides technical support, administrations may authorize
with the maintenance manual(s). service providers for the equipment based on prior authorization
Annual thorough examinations and operational tests shall be for the equipment and/or long-term experience and demon-
conducted by certified personnel from either the manufacturer strated expertise as an authorized service provider.
or an authorized service provider*. The service provider may
be the ship operator, provided they are authorized. Certification of service personnel
A five-yearly thorough examination, any overhaul, overload Service personnel shall be certified by the manufacturer or by
operational tests and repairs shall be conducted by certified an authorized service provider for each make and type** of the
personnel from either the manufacturer or an authorized equipment to be worked on. An authorized service provider
service provider. This shall be done in the presence of a can only certify its own personnel (i.e. employed by the same
DNV GL surveyor. service provider).
Page 1/2
Certification of service personnel shall be performed in
accordance with a recognized national, international or industry
standard as applicable, or a manufacturer’s established certifi-
cation programme. In either case, the certification process
and programme shall comply with requirements of the IMO
Resolution MSC.402(96), section 8, for each make and type**
of equipment for which service is to be provided.
Upon completion of personnel certification, a certificate shall
be issued (by the manufacturer or service provider) defining
the level of qualification (annual or five-yearly) and the scope
of the certification (i.e. makes and model of equipment). The Some flag administrations have specific instructions the vessels
expiry date shall clearly be stated on the certificate and shall flying their flags. Owners, managers and service suppliers shall
not exceed three years from the date of issuance. therefore confirm with their flag administrations if any additional
or special requirement apply.
For further clarifications, please see the attached Q&As.
References
Recommendations for target group FAQs on the following pages
Approach your regular service suppliers to ensure they IMO Resolution MSC.402(96): Requirements for maintenance,
are approved for servicing your life-saving appliances, and thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and
obtain certificates proving so. Do not wait until annual repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances
surveys are due. and release gear
Ensure compliance with the new requirements for maintenance, IMO Resolution MSC.404(96): Amendments to the International
thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended,
repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances containing amendments to SOLAS III/3 and III/20
and release gear. IACS UR Z 17 Rev.14, available at IACS homepage
Whenever work required by an authorized service provider
is carried out, ensure the following is received:
Service report CONTACT
Personnel certificate For customers:
AoSS certificate proving compliance with the IMO Resolution DATE – Direct Access to Technical Experts via My Services on Veracity.
MSC.402(96) or IACS UR Z17 Rev.14 for the make and type Otherwise:
of the on-board equipment Use our office locator to find the nearest DNV GL office
*Please note that IACS Approved Service Suppliers (AoSS) are the same as authorized service providers as defined in the IMO Resolution MSC.402(96).
**The definition of “make and type” is the same as “make and model” mentioned in IACS UR Z17 para 5.1.1 and is understood as the following:
- Make of equipment: name of equipment’s manufacturer (for example: Beijing Lifesaving Co., Ltd.)
- Type of equipment: type/model of equipment, or series of equipment if there is no difference in maintenance and examination (for example: LBBJ04T
or LBBJ series), but not the kind of equipment such as “lifeboats”
The specification of the model or series in the competency certificate should be left to each manufacturer or service supplier who retains the responsibility
for the certification process of service personnel.
DNV GL – Maritime, Brooktorkai 18, 20457 Hamburg, Germany, Tel: +49 40 36149 0, www.dnvgl.com/maritime DNV GL Disclaimer of Liability
Appendix
FAQs RELEVANT FOR SHIP OWNERS/
MANAGERS
What should I look for when ordering services for What if the AoSS certificate does not state the make
life-saving appliances? and model of equipment?
When selecting a service supplier, either the original equipment If the AoSS certificate is issued according to the old scheme (pre-
manufacturer (OEM) or an approved service supplier for the IMO Resolution MSC.402[96]) and personnel certificates issued
make and model of equipment may be selected. Furthermore, by the OEM state the make and model, it should be accepted.
personnel carrying out the service should be certified for the
same make and model of equipment. If the personnel certificate is not issued by the OEM, the AoSS
needs to obtain confirmation by its approval body that the AoSS
Who may issue the Approval of Service Supplier (AoSS) certificate covers the make and model of the equipment in
certificate? question.
Unless instructed otherwise by the flag administration, the
certificate shall be issued by the flag administration of the ship What if it is not possible to complete the annual service
in question, or an RO to that flag. If the flag has given other before the completion of annual surveys?
instructions, these would prevail. If still within the time window of the safety equipment survey, it
is possible to partially conclude the survey, and have the service
What documentation should be provided after the completed afterwards. Alternatively, if the time window has
servicing? expired, the survey will be credited and a Condition of Authority
The service personnel will leave a signed report, including addressing the deficiency will be issued. This may require flag
checklists, on board. All reports and checklists should be coun- acceptance.
tersigned by the owner’s representative or the ship’s master.
If a service supplier has approvals for winch, davit and re-
After the service, the AoSS or OEM will promptly issue a state- lease systems, but not for the boat, is the service supplier
ment confirming the equipment is fit for purpose. The statement also allowed to conduct the inspection for the boat?
should include a copy of the approved service supplier’s certifi- No. Then an approved service supplier should attend the ser-
cate and the personnel certificate in order to confirm authoriza- vicing of the lifeboat.
tion for the equipment in question. The documentation should
be kept on board throughout the lifetime of the equipment. If the owner/operator must request two separate service
suppliers on board, do they have to be on board at the
What if the AoSS certificate received does not refer to same time?
the IMO Resolution MSC.402(96) or IACS UR Z17 Rev.14? Preferably, but provided they are attending within the time
Provided the AoSS certificate refers to IMO MSC.1/Circ.1206 window, and prior to completion of the safety equipment
and 1277 or IACS UR Z17 Rev.13 or earlier and is issued before survey, it would be acceptable to DNV GL.
1 January 2020 and refers to the specific make and model of
equipment, DNV GL will consider it acceptable until the certifi- I want to qualify my crew for maintenance, thorough
cate must be renewed, unless the flag administration requires examinations and operational tests. Is that possible?
otherwise. Certification for service personnel shall also refer to Weekly and monthly inspections and routine maintenance can
IMO MSC.1/Circ.1277 in that case. be carried out by shipboard personnel under the direction
of a senior ship’s officer in accordance with the maintenance
What if the personnel certificate does not state the manual(s).
make and model of equipment?
If attending service personnel do not have a certificate stating For annual thorough examination and operational tests, the ship
that he/she is approved to perform service of the life-saving operator can be qualified provided they become an approved
appliances on board, DNV GL may not accept the service car- service supplier. However, five-yearly thorough examinations, any
ried out. If the attending service personnel does not hold a overhaul, overload and operational tests cannot be performed
certificate stating the make and type, the service supplier shall by the ship operator approved as a service supplier.
re-issue the certificate to be clear.
Appendix – page 1/2
What should ship owners or managers do to prepare for FAQs RELEVANT FOR APPROVED SERVICE
the new requirement? SUPPLIERS / OEMs
Approach service suppliers to ensure they are approved for
the servicing of a particular make and model of life- saving
Who approves service suppliers (providers)?
equipment installed on board, and obtain certificates proving
The flag administrations or an RO acting on their behalf.
so. Do not wait until annual surveys are due.
Who certifies service personnel?
Ensure compliance with the new requirements for mainte-
Service personnel can be certified by either the OEM or by
nance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul
an approved service supplier for each make and type of the
and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances
equipment to be worked on. An approved service supplier can
and release gear.
only certify their own personnel (i.e. employed by the same
service supplier). In either case, a certification process and
Whenever work required by an authorized service provider is
certification programme should be in accordance with IMO
carried out, ensure the following is received:
Resolution MSC.402(96), chapter 8 for each make and model of
Service report
equipment for which service is to be provided.
Personnel certificate
AoSS certificate proving compliance with the IMO Resolution
How to become an AoSS?
MSC.402(96) or IACS UR Z17 Rev.14 for the make and type of
Please see section 7 of the IMO Resolution MSC.402(96) or the
the on-board equipment
IACS UR Z17 Rev.14, section 5.2.
Some flag administrations have specific instructions the ves-
Applications for initial or renewal of existing DNV GL AoSS
sels flying their flags. Owners, managers and service suppliers
certificates should be send to your local DNV GL station.
shall therefore confirm with their flag administrations if any
additional or special requirement apply.
What shall the AoSS / OEM ensure?
The employment of personnel who is certified for each make
and model of equipment for which service is to be provided
Availability of sufficient tools, and in particular any spe-
cialized tools specified in the manufacturer’s instructions,
including portable tools as needed for work to be carried
out on board the ship
Access to appropriate parts and accessories as specified for
maintenance and repair
Availability of the manufacturer’s instructions for repair work
involving disassembly or adjustment of on-load release
mechanisms and davit winches
Implemented and documented quality system
The AoSS certificate indicates the correct list of makes and
models of equipment for which service is to be provided
The AoSS certificate issued after 1 January 2020 refers to the
IMO Resolution MSC.402(96) and/or IACS UR Z17 Rev.14.
In case of questions related to the issuance of DNV GL AoSS
certificates, please contact your local DNV GL station (respon-
sible for the AoSS certificate).
Appendix – page 2/2
