RECALLING Article 28(b) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization
concerning the functions of the Committee,
RECALLING ALSO the Measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats
(MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1) and the Interim recommendation on conditions for
authorization of service providers for lifeboats, launching appliances and on-load
release gear (MSC.1/Circ.1277) approved by it,
RECOGNIZING the need to establish a uniform, safe and documented standard for maintenance,
thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats (including
free-fall lifeboats) and rescue boats (including fast rescue boats), launching appliances
and release gear,
NOTING that, by resolution MSC.404(96), it adopted amendments to regulations III/3 and
III/20 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 ("the
Convention"), concerning maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul
and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear,
NOTING ALSO that the aforementioned regulation III/20 of the Convention provides that the
maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair shall
be carried out in accordance with the Requirements for maintenance, thorough examination,
operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching
appliances and release gear ("the Requirements"),
HAVING CONSIDERED, at its ninety-sixth session, the recommendation made by the
Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment, at its third session,
1 ADOPTS the Requirements for maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing,
overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear,
the text of which is set out in the annex to the present resolution;
2 INVITES Contracting Governments to the Convention to note that the Requirements will take
effect on 1 January 2020 upon entry into force of the associated amendments to regulations
III/3 and III/20 of the Convention;
3 ALSO INVITES Contracting Governments to the Convention to take measures they consider
appropriate to ensure that national manufacturers of equipment certified under chapter III
of the Convention for installation and use on board ships undertake to ensure that
equipment, instructions, specialized tools, spare parts, training and accessories, as
required, are available to independent service providers in a timely and cost-effective
manner;
4 REQUESTS the Secretary-General to transmit certified copies of this resolution and the
text of the Requirements contained in the annex to all Contracting Governments to the
Convention;
5 REQUESTS ALSO the Secretary-General to transmit copies of this resolution and the annex
to all Members of the Organization which are not Contracting Governments to the
Convention.