• SOLAS Reg. III / 20.11.1 to 11.5
• Resolution MSC.402(96) Requirements for maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear
• Order no. 1154 of 19 November 2019 on the construction and equipment, ect. of ships, implementation of the International Convention on Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)

The activities required by SOLAS Reg. III / 20.11.1 to 11.4, must be performed by authorized service providers.

For Danish flagged ships, the Danish Maritime Authority recognizes authorizations of service providers issued by SOLAS contracting Administrations or by Recognized Organizations accepted by the European Union. The authorization of the service provider shall clearly states that the service provider comply the requirements of MSC.
402(96).

Such authorized service providers can carry out a thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear on Danish ships according to paragraph 7 - Requirements for authorization of service providers of the MSC 402(96).

For authorizations issued, before 1 January 2020 the Danish Maritime Authority accepts references to IMO MSC.1/Circ.1206 and 1277 provided that the issuer can document that the service provider comply the requirements of MSC. 402(96). 

Make and type

The Danish Maritime Authority interprets the definition of “Make and Type” in section 8.1 of the MSC 402(96) is as follows:

• Make: Name of the manufacturer
• Type: Category of LSA equipment having common characteristics e.g. lifeboat, life raft davit etc.

Annual thorough examinations and operational test

Personnel certified by the manufacturer or by an authorized service provider for each make and type of the equipment in accordance with section 8 of the MSC 402(96) shall perform annual thorough examinations and operational tests, as described in paragraph 6.2, Annual thorough examination and operational test of the MSC.402(96).

The service provider may be the ship's operator, if the operator is authorized in accordance with section 3 and section 7 of MSC.402(96).

During the annual survey, the authorized recognized organization shall verify, by a documentation check, that the annual checking and thorough examination, has been carried out according to Assemble Resolution A. 1120(30) Survey Guideline under the harmonized system of survey and certification (HHS) 2017, paragraph 1.2.2.24.

Five-year thorough examination, overhaul and overload operational tests

Five-year thorough examination, overhaul and overload operational tests as described in MSC.402(96) Section 6.3, shall be performed by a person certified by the manufacturer or authorized service provider for each make and type of the equipment to be worked on in accordance with the provisions in section 8 of Resolution MSC.402(96).

Provided that the personnel conducting the thorough examination and operational testing are employed by an authorized service provider according to MSC.402(96) section 7 and is certified in accordance with section 8 for each make and type, it is not a requirement that the examinations are performed by the manufacturer.