Amendments to LSA Code

REF. RESCUE BOAT LAUNCHING APPLIANCES NOT FITTED WITH STORED MECHANICAL POWER

 

Amendments to the International Life-Saving Appliance Code (LSA Code) on requirements for lifeboats, launching and embarkation appliances comes into force on 1 January 2024.

 

Amendments in Resolution MSC.459(101), adopted by the International Maritime Organization, apply to rescue boats installed onboard ships on or after 1 January 2024. They give a potential waiver to the requirement for stored mechanical power used for slewing the rescue boat outboard (normally achieved by a hydraulic accumulator fitted to a single-arm radial davit).

 

Following two amendments were adopted:

1. Amendments to LSA Code 4.4.8.1 – The requirement of buoyant oars and related equipment is not applicable for lifeboats equipped with two independent propulsion systems.
2. Amendments to LSA Code 6.1.1.3- Rescue boat which is not one of the ship’s survival craft, having a mass not more than 700 kg in fully equipped condition with engine, but without the crew, the launching appliance of the boat does not need to be fitted with stored mechanical power provided that:

• manual hoisting from the stowed position and turning out to the embarkation position is possible by one person;
• the force on the crank handle does not exceed 160 N at the maximum crank radius of 350 mm; and
• means having sufficient strength such as bowsing line are provided for bringing the rescue boat against the ship’s side and holding it alongside so that persons can be safely embarked

 

REF. INITIAL LAUNCH TEST OF LIFEBOATS

 

The International Maritime Organization has adopted amendments to the SOLAS Convention, Resolution MSC.81(70) and the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code (IMO Resolutions MSC.482(103), MSC.485(103) and MSC.488(103)), which come into force on 1 January 2024.

 

Amendments to SOLAS regulation III/33, paragraph 4.4.1.3 of LSA Code and the “Revised recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances” (Resolution MSC.81 (70), as amended) were adopted, to remove the applicability of the requirements to launch free-fall lifeboats with the ship making headway at speeds up to 5 knots in calm water as there is no additional dynamic load on the launching arrangements to be accounted for.

 

Implications

• PMDS surveyors and clients are requested to read the applicable amendments to be familiarized with the requirements.
• 459(101)

All ships type & size

New ships: Applies to rescue boats installed on board ships on or after 1 January 2024.

Existing ships: Applies to rescue boats installed on board ships on or after 1 January 2024

• 482(103), MSC.485(103), MSC.488(103)

Applicable to cargo ships of 20´000 GT and above

1 January 2024.

The amendments will not have any impact on existing ships