Marine Order 25 (Equipment – life-saving) sets out the requirements for carriage and testing of life-saving equipment, the application of those requirements to different vessels and the recovery of persons from the water. It gives effect to Chapter III of the International Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) which incorporates requirements of the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code.
The 108th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) adopted two resolutions amending lifesaving equipment requirements, which came into effect on 1 January 2026. These resolutions are:
- MSC.554(108), amendments to the International Life-saving Appliance (LSA) Code; and
- MSC.559(108), amendments to the requirements for maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear (resolution MSC.402(96)), which provides for mandatory requirements under Chapter III of SOLAS.
The review and reissue project amends Marine Order 25 to clarify the application and purpose of the Marine Order and update references to standards relevant to safety equipment required by SOLAS.
Consultation approach
The external consultation utilised AMSA’s targeted consultation lists for Marine Order 25, which includes stakeholders with an interest in lifesaving requirements under Chapter III of SOLAS.
During public consultation AMSA sought feedback on proposed amendments to:
- reference current beacon requirements for liferafts.
- clarify the application of the LSA code to certain regulated Australian vessels and foreign vessels.
- clarify the maintenance, testing, inspection and servicing of life-saving appliances.
- incorporate LSA requirements for lowering speed of launching appliances using falls and a winch.
These changes apply to beacon owners, Regulated Australian Vessels (RAVs) and foreign vessel to which SOLAS does and does not apply, and industry bodies.
Overview
The public consultation on the proposed amendments took place between 16 February and 15 March 2026 for 4 weeks. A copy of the draft amendment instrument was placed on the AMSA website for public comment. View the archived consultation page. Notification of the public consultation was also emailed to 97 recipients provided in the AMSA’s Marine Order 25 stakeholder lists, as well as those that have subscribed via our website. These stakeholders include vessel owners and operators, commercial fishing bodies, beacon owners, classification societies, industry organisations and government agencies were invited to comment.
AMSA received nil submissions from the public consultation process.
Download report
Further information
The amendments to Marine Order 25 will take effect on 1 June 2026.
If you require more information, please contact AMSA Connect.