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Class News No. 39/2016

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06 December 2016

Statutory Alert: Equipment servicing a reminder of

the requirements for servicing, testing and calibrating
equipment
Applicability: Owners, operators and agents of new and existing ships

Further to Class News 2012/08, regarding the SOLAS requirements for the servicing
and testing of various navigation equipment and satellite EPIRBs within the survey
range dates, the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has
published the following Unified Interpretations (UIs). IACS UI SC 279 introduces
interpretations regarding voyage data recorders (VDRs or S-VDRs), Automatic
Identification Systems (AISs) and EPIRBs. Meanwhile, IACS UI MPC 127 provides
clarification on the requirements for oil-filtering equipment during survey in
accordance with MARPOL Annex I, Regulation 14.7.
IACS SC 279 Interpretation of SOLAS Reg. IV/15.9
The annual test of the EPIRBs shall be carried out within the time window of the
prescribed survey, but not later than the date of completion of the survey for
endorsement/renewal of the relevant certificate.
IACS SC 279 Interpretation of SOLAS Reg. V/18.8
The annual performance test of VDRs (or S-VDRs) shall be carried out within the
time window of the annual/periodical/renewal survey under the Harmonised System
of Survey and Certification (HSSC), but not later than the date of completion of the
survey for endorsement/renewal of the relevant certificate.
IACS SC 279 Interpretation of SOLAS Reg. V/18.9
The annual performance test of the AISs shall be carried out within the time
window of the annual/periodical/renewal survey under the HSSC, but not later than
the date of completion of the survey for endorsement/renewal of the relevant
certificate.
IACS UI MPC 127 provides clarification on the requirements for the calibration of oil

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content meters (15 ppm bilge alarms) approved to resolution MEPC.107(49). The
accuracy of 15 ppm bilge alarms is to be checked through the calibration and testing
of the equipment, to be conducted by the manufacturer or by persons authorised by
the manufacturer. This should be done at intervals not exceeding five years, or within
the term specified in the manufacturers instructions (whichever is shorter).
The five-yearly testing does not need to be carried out at the time of the IOPP
certificate renewal survey.
What should owners and operators do now?
Shipowners and operators should ensure that annual servicing and testing of
satellite EPIRBs, AISs and VDRs is carried out within the survey window dates of the
vessel.
Shipowners and operators should be aware that 15 ppm bilge alarms approved to
resolution MEPC.107(49) require a valid certificate of calibration, carried out at
intervals not exceeding five years, or within the term specified in the manufacturers
instructions (whichever is shorter).
A summary of the SOLAS Requirements for Maintenance, Servicing, Testing and
Drills can be downloaded here.

For further information

Speak to one of our experts at your local Lloyds Register Group office or contact:
statutorysupport@lr.org

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9/12/2016