Guidelines for acceptance of independent lifeboat servicing and testing organisations
Appendix to Marine Notice 12/2007
Independent Lifeboat Servicing and Testing Organisations (ILSTOs) wishing to acquire for their operation AMSA acceptance as inspectors, maintainers or testers of specified equipment serviced on behalf of a nominated Company as defined in the ISM Code, should submit the following documentation:
- Proof that their inspecting, maintaining or testing operations, as appropriate, are certified and comply with a quality standard (ISO 9001 or equivalent). The ILSTO’s relevant standard procedures for these operations on lifeboat systems should be submitted.
- Portfolio justifying at least two years experience with inspecting, maintaining or testing, as appropriate, that manufacturer’s equipment.
- A record system which provides traceability of work carried out and parts used must be maintained. All spare parts used should be the original manufacturer’s spare parts. If the equipment manufacturer no longer exists and there are no original spare parts then the equipment should be replaced by equivalent equipment, such as equipment compliant with the European Marine Equipment Directive (“Wheelmarked”).
- Accredited Service Personnel detailed Training Program.
- Copies of any approvals or acceptances issued to the ILSTO by other Administrations or IACS member classification societies in relation to the equipment proposed to be covered by the acceptance.
- Evidence supporting claim that manufacturer’s arrangements do not sufficiently meet the needs of the Company in relation to the requirements of annex 1 to MSC.1/Circ.1206.
Information referred in the preceding 1 to 6 should be readily available at the request of AMSA in case of an accident involving a lifeboat serviced by the ILSTO.
Two copies of all information referred in the preceding 1 to 6 should be sent to the Manager, Ship Inspection Group at AMSA’s Head Office in Canberra.
Any acceptance, which relates only to specified equipment and a specified Company, will last until 31st December 2009 in the first instance. Updated documentation may be required for re-acceptance. In the meantime Independent Lifeboats Servicing and Testing Organisations are recommended to acquire Manufacturers authorisation.