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. 1.  Manufacturers and types of the lifeboats and the launching appliances
  2. 2.  Date and location of the proposed service
  3. 3.  The confirmation that the manufacturer certified service suppliers are not available at the ports ship calls
  4. 4.  Name of proposed service supplier
  5. 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. 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 (2018.08)

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  
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 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, please contact us in advance 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:
  1. 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."
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Appendices：

  1. 1.    THE BAHAMAS MARITIME AUTHORITY INFORMATION BULLETIN No. 87, Revision No.5 (Bahamas)
  2. 2.    Merchant Shipping Notice MSN-25 (Belize)
  3. 3.    Circular No. 02/2007 (Cyprus)
  4. 4.    Ref. Case 200908738/2 (Denmark)
  5. 5.    Ref. No. 4338.1/01/2007 (Greece)
  6. 6.    “Guidelines for periodic servicing and maintenance of lifeboats, launching appliances and on-load release gears (Hong Kong)
  7. 7.    MSN 062 Life saving appliances and arrangements (Isle of Man)
  8. 8.    Marine Notice SAF-005 Rev.06/12 (Liberia)
  9. 9.    Instruction (72) dlm IPL 6000/420 (Malaysia)
  10. 10.  Technical Notice SLS.2 Rev.1 (Malta)
  11. 11.  Marine Notice No.2-011-37 (Marshall Islands)
  12. 12.  SHIPPING CIRCULAR No. 4 of 2006 Circular (Singapore)
  13. 13.  Circular No. SOL 012-Rev.4 (St. Vincent and Grenadines)
  14. 14.  VR Technical Information No. 019KT/07TB.E (Vietnam)
  15. 15.  Information Notice 2017-006 (Antigua and Barbuda)
  16. 16.  MARCHANT MARINE CIRCULAR MMC-258 (Panama)
  17. 17.  NORWEGIAN MARITIME DIRECTORATE CIRCULAR no. 04-2007 (Norway)
  18. 18.  MGN 555 (M) Life-Saving Appliances; Lifeboats, Rigid Rescue Boats, Launching Appliances and On-load Release Gear - Authorization of Service Providers (UK)
    MGN 560 (M) Life-Saving Appliances - Lifeboats, Rescue Boats, Launching Appliances, Winches and On-load Release Gear - Operational and Test Procedures
  19. 19.  Information regarding implementation of measures provided in the circular of the IMO MSC.1/Circ.1206(Lithuania)
  20. 20.  MARINE CIRCULAR MC-16/2011/1(Tuvalu)
  21. 21.  BERMUDA SHIPPING NOTICE 2012-16(Bermuda)
  22. 22.  Shipping Guidance Notice - 014(Gibraltar)
    Shipping Guidance Notice - 014a(Gibraltar)
  23. 23.  Marine Circular (12)(Qatar)
  24. 24.  Instruction to RO No.09(Netherlands)
Top of Page