IBIA supports proposal to improve safety standards for lifeboats and rescue boats

IBIA supports proposal to improve safety standards for lifeboats and rescue boats

IBIA has co-sponsored a proposal to the IMO highlighting the need to amend the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code in order to ensure adequate safety standards for lifeboats and rescue boats with single fall and hook systems.

The proposal was discussed at the 99th meeting of the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 99) in May where it was agreed that it would be included in the provisional agenda of the 6th meeting of the Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE 6) as a new agenda item called “Amendments to paragraph 4.4.7.6.17 of the LSA Code concerning single fall and hook systems with on-load release capability”.

The paper calling for the amendment to the LSA Code was submitted by the Marshall Islands, Panama, ICS, BIMCO, INTERCARGO, IPTA, IMCA, IBIA and ITF.

IBIA was pleased to support the proposal, which stated: “The co-sponsors are of the view that lifeboats and rescue boats with single fall and hook systems face similar potential risks of accidental release during recovery operations as those with twin fall and hook systems. These systems are used and tested in a similar way as twin fall lifeboats and, therefore, should have similar safety standards.”

MSC agreed that the amendments to be developed should apply to new installations on or after the entry into force of the amendment to the LSA Code, and to existing installations only in cases of replacement.

The amendments to be developed should enter into force on 1 January 2022, provided that they are adopted before 1 July 2020.

Report by Unni Einemo
unni@ibia.net

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