Subject

Special requirements for Life-saving appliances and

Equipment onboard Panamanian flagged vessels
Technical
Information
No. TEC-0974
Date 20 November 2013
To whom it may concern

The Panamanian Government has notified ClassNK that employment of fall preventer devices (FPDs)
on lifeboats for ships flying Panamanian flag is not mandatory with regard to Merchant Marine
Circular MMC-250 issued in July 2012 by the Government.

For your attention, section 2 of Technical Information No.TEC-0937 dated 17 December 2012, related
to application of requirement on FPDs employment, has been replaced with this information
accordingly.

For any questions about the above, please contact:

NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK)

Material and Equipment Department, Administration Center, Head Office
Address: 4-7 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8567, Japan
Tel.: +81-3-5226-2020
Fax: +81-3-5226-2057
E-mail: [email protected]

Attachment:
1. Merchant Marine Circular MMC-250

NOTES:

 ClassNK Technical Information is provided only for the purpose of supplying current information to its readers.
 ClassNK, its officers, employees and agents or sub-contractors do not warrant the accuracy of the information contained
herein and are not liable for any loss, damage or expense sustained whatsoever by any person caused by use of or
reliance on this information.
 Back numbers are available on ClassNK Internet Homepage (URL: www.classnk.or.jp).
Attachment 1. to
ClassNK Technical Information No.TEC-0974

PanCanal Building
PANAMA MARITIME AUTHORITY Albrook, Panama City
Republic of Panama
Tel: (507) 501-5348
[email protected]
MERCHANT MARINE CIRCULAR MMC-250

To: Ship-owners/Operators, Company Security Officers, Legal Representatives of

Panamanian Flagged Vessels, Panamanian Merchant Marine Consulates and
Recognized Organizations (ROs).

Subject: Lifeboat Release and Retrieval System

Reference: Decree Law No. 7, SOLAS 74 as amended, Resolution MSC.317 (89,)

Resolution MSC. 320 (89), Resolution MSC. 321 (89),
Circular MSC.1/Circ. 1392, Circular MSC.1/1393

1 The purpose of this Merchant Marine Circular is to inform all parties concerned with Panamanian
flag ships about MSC.1/Circ. 1392 as well as the amendments to Regulation III/1.5 of SOLAS and to
LSA Code Chapter IV/4.4.7.6, regarding lifeboat on-load release mechanisms.

2. Amendments to Regulation III/1.5 of SOLAS and to LSA Code Chapter IV/4.4.7.6, will enter into force on 1
January 2013. These amendments require that for all ships, the lifeboat on-load release mechanism, meets
the new LSA Code requirements.

2.1 Ships constructed before 1 January 2013 (Existing Ships), fitted with lifeboat on-load release mechanism,
shall meet the requirements of LSA Code 4.4.7.6.4 to 4.4.7.6.6 as amended by Resolution MSC.320 (89)
after the first scheduled dry-docking after 1 July 2014 but not later than 1 July 2019.

3 This Administration would like to point out that, all types of existing lifeboat on-load release and retrieval
systems design shall be reviewed, and the performance test witnessed by an Administration or by a
Recognized Organization before 1 July 2013 in accordance with MSC.1Circ.1392. Failing to do so, shall
result into the release and retrieval system to be considered as non-compliant and required to be replaced by a
new lifeboat release and retrieval system, within the dates above mentioned (after the first scheduled dry-
docking after 1 July 2014 but no later than 1 July 2019).

3.1 This Administration would like to clarify that:

.1 Existing ships fitted with off-load only release systems do not need to go through the evaluation
process or replacement.
.2 This Administration will accept the results of evaluations carried out by other Administrations on
types of existing lifeboat release and retrieval systems (as per information released on GISIS data
base).
4 The Manufacturer, see definition in MSC.1/Circ.1392, needs to submit to an Administration, for
evaluation, the types of existing on-load release and retrieval systems for which he is responsible,
before 1 July 2013.
.5 If the lifeboat on-load release and retrieval system is deemed non-compliant after evaluation, the

Prepared by: Translator Revised by: Compliance and Approved by: Compliance and
Enforcement Deputy Chief Enforcement Chief
Control N°: F-RIN-04-01 Version: 03 Date: 06 July, 2011 Page 1 of 2
 Manufacturer has the option to modify and re-submit for evaluation. If the modification is approved,
all ships continuing to use that type of lifeboat on-load release and retrieval system shall be modified
in accordance to the specifications approved.
.6 Ship owners/operators should confirm with their manufacturers, that the type of lifeboat on-load
release and retrieval system has been submitted for evaluation and be aware if it has been found
compliant, non compliant or capable of being modified.

.7 Fall Preventer Devices (FPD’s) should be employed as an interim risk mitigation measure for each
existing lifeboat release and retrieval system until the system meets any of the requirements stated in
the MSC.1/Circ.1392, Paragraph 6.1 to 6.5; and at the master’s discretion.

4 The one-time follow up overhaul examination shall be carried out, on board in accordance with
MSC.1/Circ.1392, by the Manufacturer or by one of their representatives.

4.1 The Owners/Operators shall ensure that the extent of wear, corrosion, erosion and any material
degradation is verified, addressed, and a factual statement is issued by the Manufacturer to confirm this. This
statement shall be retained on board.
5 Taking into account MSC.1/Circ.1393 on early implementation of the new SOLAS regulation III/1.5, this
Administration highly recommends all parties concerned to take the appropriate actions, at the earliest
opportunity.

July, 2012
Inquiries concerning the subject of this Circular or any request should be directed to:
Directorate General of Merchant Marine
Panama Maritime Authority
Phone: (507) 501-5006 or (507) 501-5050
Fax: (507) 501-5007

Prepared by: Translator Revised by: Compliance and Approved by: Compliance and
Enforcement Deputy Chief Enforcement Chief
Control N°: F-RIN-04-01 Version: 03 Date: 06 July, 2011 Page 2 of 2