Maritime and Coastguard Agency Document
OPERATIONAL ADVICE NOTE
Revision: 01
Life Saving Appliances
Increased Person Weight for Lifeboats
& Rescue Boats
number:
OAN 728
Date:
15 October
2010
IMO MSC Resolution
Distribution
Target
document
Expiry date
HQ & MO
MSIS Survey of Life Saving Appliances –
Volume 1 Chapter
Remains valid until it is incorporated in
MSIS 14 Survey of Life Saving Appliances
Volume 1
Information
1. The purpose of this OAN is to clarify the line taken by the MCA on
RESOLUTION MSC.272(85) ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO THE
INTERNATIONAL LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCE (LSA) CODE
2. The entry into force date for the resolution is the 1st July 2010.
Background
3. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted Resolution
MSC.272(85) at the 85th session of the Maritime Safety Committee.
This amends Chapters IV and V of the International Life-Saving
Appliance (LSA) Code, introducing increased assumed mass of
occupants for the approval of liferafts and rescue boats, and enhanced
seating arrangements for the occupants of free-fall lifeboats.
4. The changes affect the following areas of the LSA Code;
a. Cargo ship lifeboats (both davit launched and free-fall) should
be approved assuming an average mass of occupants of 82.5kg
(increased from 75kg).
b. Cargo and passenger ship rescue boats should be approved
assuming an average mass of occupants of 82.5kg (increased
from 75kg).
c. Cargo ship free-fall lifeboat seating arrangements should comply
with amended LSA Code Chapter IV, paragraph 4.7.2.
5. LSA Code amendments are automatically incorporated into the Marine
Equipment Directive (MED) and are therefore applicable from the date
of entry into force. All new products from 1st July 2010 affected by this
resolution, need to be compliant.
Actions
6. Recognised Organisations issuing new MED certificates after the 1st
July 2010, should ensure full compliance with the LSA Code
(Resolution MSC.81(70)), as amended by Resolution MSC.272(85).
7. Recognised Organisations renewing MED certificates after the 1st July
2010, should ensure full compliance with the LSA Code (Resolution
MSC.81(70)), as amended by Resolution MSC.272(85).
8. All new equipment placed onboard an existing vessel after 1st July
2010, should be fully compliant with the LSA Code (Resolution
MSC.81(70)), as amended by Resolution MSC.272(85).
9. After the 1st July 2010, when old equipment is no longer serviceable
and needs to be replaced onboard an existing vessel, new equipment
should be fully compliant with the LSA Code (Resolution MSC.81(70)),
as amended by Resolution MSC.272(85).
10. When Equipment is replaced, the launching appliance serving it must
be checked to be certified to the weight of the new equipment being
placed onboard.
11. When equipment is placed onboard a new vessel, who’s keel laying
date was prior to the 1st July 2010, the lifeboats and rescue boats need
not be compliant with the amending Resolution MSC.272(85).
Author
Branch Marine Technology Branch
Jonathan Assael
Authorised
by
Paul Coley
Branch Assistant Director Seafarers
& Ships