MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1-Flag Instruction

Please see the instructions from the flag states on the implementation of MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1 regarding periodic servicing and maintenance of lifeboats, launching appliances and on-load release gear.

At the eighty-second session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC82), the issued on the MSC.1/Circ.1206 concerning “Measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats” (whereafter amended as MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1) was discussed and after a thorough discussion, the Committee agreed to keep the circular non-mandatory at that stage.

It should be noted that although the MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1 is agreed to be kept non-mandatory, the requirements of the annual thorough examination for the launching appliances and the on-load releasing gear specified in SOLAS Chap.III/Reg.20.11 are still to be complied and the implementations of MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1 depends on its associated instructions from each flag state.

ClassNK have made inquires to the several flag states how to implement MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1 and some flag states replied their positions.
This information provides the associated instructions (mainly on the qualification level of the servicing) from the flag states on this issue including the above replies which we have received so far, as shown in the following link.

In case where authorization/acceptance of alternative service suppliers other than the service suppliers certified by the manufacturer is required in accordance with para.9 of Annex 1 to MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1, please provide the at least following information:

1. Manufacturers and types of the lifeboats and the launching appliances
2. Date and location of the proposed service
3. The confirmation that the manufacturer certified service suppliers are not available at the ports ship calls
4. Name of proposed service supplier
5. Documented evidence which shows that the proposed service supplier has ability to carry out the function in accordance with Annex 1 to MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1
6. Other information required by the Administration (Refer to Appendixes.)

For any questions about the above, please contact:

NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK)
Survey Department, Administration Center, Head Office

Address: 3-3 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0094, Japan
Tel.: +81-3-5226-2027
Fax: +81-3-5226-2029
email: svd@classnk.or.jp

Instructions from the flag states on the implementation of MSC.1/Circ.1206 /Rev.1 (2018.09)

Flag	Instructions	Individual authorization/acceptance from the flag states for alternative service suppliers (in accordance with paragraph 9 of Annex 1 to MSC.1/Circ.1206)	Thorough examination by the ship’s personnel not certified by the manufacturers
Antigua and Barbuda	Refer to Information Notice 2017-006 (Appendix 15).	N/A
Bahamas	The Company is responsible for assessing and selecting a suitable competent person and appropriate procedures relating to this activity must be established within the Safety Management System. Refer to THE BAHAMAS MARITIME AUTHORITY INFORMATION BULLETIN No. 87, Revision No.5 (Appendix 1).	Not necessary
Belgium	In accordance with MSC Circ.1206 (amended as MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1) Refer to Column 1 : 1.40(16/48 page) of The Work Matrix, Version 7 (Appendix 25)	Necessary
Belize	Refer to the Merchant Shipping Notice MSN-25(Appendix 2).	Necessary (In accordance with paragraph 9 in Annex 1 of the MSC.1/Circ.1206, the Administration may authorize Organization other than the manufacturer, the manufacturer’s representative or a person appropriately trained and certified by the manufacturer.)
Bermuda	Refer to BERMUDA SHIPPING NOTICE 2012-016 (Appendix 21)	Not necessary
Cyprus	Refer to Circular No. 02/2007(Appendix 3).	Necessary (The Department of Merchant Shipping must be informed in writing on case by case basis and the consent must be obtained.)
Denmark	Refer to Ref. Case 200908738/2(Appendix 4).	N/A	The annual and 5-yearly thorough examination and operational test of the launching appliances may be conducted by ship’s personnel.
Egypt	In cases where the manufacturer is unable to provide the service, the Company may permit a service provider to carry out the work if the Company has determined that the service provider has sufficient technical knowledge and experience and is competent to do the work.	N/A
Gibraltar	Refer to Shipping Guidance Notice - 014 and Shipping Guidance Notice - 014a(Appendix 22).	N/A	Refer to Shipping Guidance Notice - 014 and Shipping Guidance Notice - 014a(Appendix 22).
Greece	Refer to the instruction Ref. No. 4338.1/01/2007 (Appendix 5).	Not necessary	The experienced crew members who familiar with the operations may carry out the examination and tests specified in III/20.11.1.2 and 11.2.2 of SOLAS on the conditions. (Witness to operation tests by Surveyor is required.)
Hong Kong	The company is responsible for employing a competent service provider to conduct the required examinations and tests under SOLAS Chapter III/20.11.1.2 and 20.11.2.2 and “Specific Procedures for Maintenance and Servicing” in MSC.1/Circ.1206. Refer to “Guidelines for periodic servicing and maintenance of lifeboats, launching appliances and on-load release gears” (Appendix 6).	Not necessary
Isle of Man	Refer to (mainly Section 2 of) Manx Shipping Notice MSN 062 (Issued 1 July 2017) (Appendix 7).	Necessary
Japan	Servicing should be carried out by firms who are approved by NK or another RO authorized by JG, or firms judged appropriate by JG.	N/A
Liberia	Refer to Marine Notice SAF-005 Rev.06/12 (Appendix 8).	Necessary (An acceptance of a third party facility - which is not certified by the manufacturer - will be determined for every ship on a case by case basis.)
Lithuania	Refer to Information regarding implementation of measures provided in the circular of the IMO MSC.1/Circ.1206 (Appendix 19).	Necessary
Malaysia	Refer to the Instruction (72) dlm IPL 6000/420 (Appendix 9).	Not necessary	Trained ship’s personnel is authorized to perform the servicing. (Witness by Surveyor is required.)
Malta	Technical Notice SLS.2 Rev.1 (Appendix 10).	Not necessary
Marshall Islands	Refer to Marine Notice No.2-011-37 (Appendix 11)	Not necessary
Netherlands	Refer to Instruction to RO No.09(Appendix 24).	Not necessary
Norway	Refer to NORWEGIAN MARITIME DIRECTORATE CIRCULAR no. 04-2007 (Attachment 17) N/A	N/A
Panama	Refer to MARCHANT MARINE CIRCULAR MMC-258 (Appendix 16)	Necessary (In case service provider approved by Panama Maritime Authority is used, there is no need to seek authorization.)
Philippines	In principle, servicing should be carried out by the manufacturer’s representative or a person appropriately trained and certified by the manufacturer. In case where such certified service provider is not available,　approved service supplier by NK is acceptable to the Administaration.	In case service provider approved by NK is used, there is no need to seek authorization.
Qatar	Refer to Marine Circular (12)(Appendix 23).	Necessary (Ministry of Transport & Communications must be informed in case by case basis and the consent must be obtained.)
Singapore	In cases where the manufacturer is unable to provide the service, the Company may permit a service provider to carry out the work if the Company has determined that the service provider has sufficient technical knowledge and experience and is competent to do the work. Refer to SHIPPING CIRCULAR No. 4 of 2006 (Attachment 12).	Not necessary
St. Vincent and Grenadines	Refer to Circular No. SOL 012-Rev.4 (Appendix 13)	Not necessary
Tonga		Not necessary	Annual thorough examination of the launching appliances and dynamic test of braking test with load of empty boat may be conducted by ship’s personnel. (Witness to operation tests by Surveyor is required.)
Tuvalu	Refer to MARINE CIRULAR MC-16/2011/1 (Appendix 20)	Not necessary
UK	Refer to MGN 555 (M) Life-Saving Appliances; Lifeboats, Rigid Rescue Boats, Launching Appliances and On-load Release Gear - Authorization of Service Providers and MGN 560 (M) Life-Saving Appliances - Lifeboats, Rescue Boats, Launching Appliances, Winches and On-load Release Gear - Operational and Test Procedures (Appendix 18)	N/A
Vanuatu	it is necessary to conduct the annual thorough examinations of launching appliances and lifeboats specified in Reg. III/20.11.1.2 and 20.11.2.2 of SOLAS under the following conditions: Exanimations and relating operation tests should be carried out in accordance with the manuals developed by the manufacture and Appendix to MSC.1/Circ.1206 "Specific procedures for maintenance and servicing." Exanimations and related operational tests should be conducted by appropriately trained persons/service provider who is nominated by the company under their responsibility, as defined in Reg. IX/1.2 of SOLAS, in case where the manufacturer's representative or a person appropriately trained and certified by the manufacturer for the work to be done is not available. Upon completion of the examination and tests, the records of the examinations and tests should be made by the persons/service provider who conducts them.	Not necessary
Vietnam	Refer to VR Techinical Information No. 019KT/07TB.E dated 11 July 2007 (Appendix 14)	Not necessary	The person who performed job (general examination and tests of launching appliances and on-load release gears of lifeboats/rescue boats as per Reg. III/20.11.1.2 and 20.11.2.2 of SOLAS) should have properly understanding and familiar with the work described in MSC.1/Circ.1206.

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