Marshall Islands Updates Rescue Boat Requirements
The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Maritime Administrator has introduced a new requirement that all on-load release mechanisms used to launch dedicated rescue boats must comply with paragraph 4.4.7.6 of the Life-Saving Appliances (LSA) Code and evaluated in accordance with IMO circular MSC.1/Circ.1392, Lloyd's Register has advised.
This is over and above the normal SOLAS requirements, which do not stipulate that boats used solely for rescue purposes fitted with on-load release mechanisms be re-evaluated against the latest LSA Code.
All rescue boat on-load release mechanisms not complying with LSA Code paragraphs 4.4.7.6.4 to 4.4.7.6.6 must either be replaced with compliant equipment or modified to comply.
In cases where a suitable replacement or modified on-load release mechanism is not available for a rescue boat which is launched from a single fall and hook arrangement, the mechanism might be replaced with a suitable off-load release mechanism, as permitted by LSA Code paragraph 5.1.1.1.
The SOLAS timeframe for evaluating and replacing mechanisms on lifeboats is the first scheduled dry-docking after July 1, 2014, but not later than July 1, 2019. For vessels that have already completed their dry-docking and are now required to evaluate their rescue boat on-load release mechanisms, the RMI Maritime Administrator will – on a case-by-case basis – allow extra time to complete the replacement.