RDIMS No .: 16001831
Date (Y-M-D): 2022-06-23
This bulletin has been replaced by Ship Safety Bulletin No. 28/2022.
Purpose
This bulletin provides information regarding the use of the extended service period of two years (24 months) for inflatable survival equipment as per Schedule IV of the Life Saving Equipment Regulations (LSER).
Scope
This bulletin applies to all vessels carrying inflatable survival equipment, which includes inflatable life rafts, that benefit from the extended servicing interval of two years (24 months) in the LSER, and incorporated in the Fishing Vessel Safety Regulations and the Small Vessel Regulations.
What you need to know
Inflatable survival equipment, which includes inflatable life rafts carried on board vessels, are serviced annually to ensure its proper deployment in all operating conditions and ensure that inflatable survival equipment is maintained in a safe manner in order to reduce the risk associated with the impact of environmental conditions (i.e., humidity, temperature variation, freeze-thaw cycles).
In order to qualify for the 24 months extended servicing period, when the vessel operates less than seven months per year, the vessel must operate only during months in which the monthly historical average daily minimum air temperature is greater than 0°C according to the climate data, compiled by Environment and Climate Change Canada, from the Canadian Climate Normals station closest to the vessel’s area of operation.
Schedule IV of the LSER outlines the requirements for servicing inflatable survival equipment. It is important to check that the safety equipment contained in the life raft does not expire before the next scheduled servicing (e.g., pyrotechnic distress signalsFootnote 1, seasickness medicine, etc.).
Authorized representatives of vessels using the 24-month service interval are reminded to complete an Extension Record for Life Raft Servicing Form (85-0418) or another record that contains the equivalent information, submit a copy to their local Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security Office and retain a copy on board the vessel, as this information must be provided on request of an inspector during an inspection to demonstrate compliance with the LSER.
This regulatory amendment will come into effect six months following final publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II.
Keywords
1. Inflatable
2. Life raft
3. Servicing
4. Extended
Questions concerning this Bulletin should be addressed to:
AMSD
Transport Canada
Marine Safety and Security
Tower C, Place de Ville
330 Sparks Street, 11th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N8
Contact us at: Email: marinesafety-securitemaritime@tc.gc.ca or Telephone: 1-855-859-3123 (Toll Free).
