Consultation

Safety Equipment

Life-saving equipment inspection is an important process aimed at ensuring the safety of the crew and passengers in emergency situations at sea. The inspection of life-saving equipment involves the examination, testing, and readiness maintenance of all rescue devices intended for use in emergencies.

We provide a comprehensive range of services, including the inspection of lifeboats, self-contained breathing apparatuses, life jackets, fire extinguishers, protective suits, and other equipment.

Our Services

Proper and regular inspection of lifesaving equipment on board is of critical importance for ensuring safety at sea. This helps prevent potential emergencies and ensures swift and efficient response when needed.

The specific list of lifesaving equipment required to be placed on a vessel depends on the type of craft, the number of crew and passengers on board, and the requirements outlined in official documents.

Most commonly, this includes lifeboats, rescue boats, liferafts, boats, individual lifesaving appliances, lifebuoys, immersion suits, communication devices, EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon), distress signaling equipment, and firefighting equipment.

We will assist you in procuring high-quality LSA (Lifesaving Appliances) and FFE (Fire Fighting Equipment) systems, signaling pyrotechnics, and necessary literature.

Life-Saving Equipment Inspection
Life-Saving Equipment Maintenance
Our Services

Life-Saving Equipment Inspection

The inspection of life-saving equipment on board involves the examination and testing of the operational status of the following items:

  1. Lifeboats: Detailed inspection requirements for lifeboats were established by the IMO in Resolution MSC.402(96). According to this document, the fire protection system, davits, air supply system, maneuvering system, rescue system, power unit and engine, and power supply system of lifeboats are subject to thorough inspection. Lifeboat falls, the systems used for launching and recovering lifeboats, are also subject to mandatory scrutiny.
  2. Life Rafts, Boats, and Platforms: The testing regimen for inflatable life-saving devices includes tests for jumping, dropping, towing, weight, and other types of impacts that may occur during use. Additionally, inflatable life rafts may undergo tests for seam strength, pressure effects, damage, buoyancy, and more. Rescue Boats should be examined for overloading, hard landing, towing, maneuverability, protection, and more. Detailed inspection requirements for such items are outlined in Resolution MSC.81(70) Part 1-7.
  3. Inspection of life jackets includes tests for buoyancy, tear resistance, strength, fire reaction, and cyclic temperature variation.
  4. Lifebuoys are checked for fire resistance, buoyancy, cyclic temperature variation, dropping, strength, and response to oil exposure. An important test for lifebuoys involves the reaction to the activation of buoys emitting smoke and light.
  5. Immersion Suits: The inspection verifies the quantity of immersion suits (there should be as many as passengers and crew on board), their integrity, and functionality.
  6. Communication Devices: Their presence and functionality are verified.
  7. Distress Signaling Devices: Temperature tests and resistance to moisture, water, and corrosion are conducted on such devices. Additionally, a specific number of signal rockets from the set need to be launched vertically to assess burning duration and descent speed.
  8. Firefighting Equipment Inspection on board involves inventory inspection for extinguishing, as well as testing the functionality of alarm, alert, and extinguishing systems. A mandatory step in this procedure is the examination of shipboard fire extinguishers, which includes visual inspection, pressure testing, functional testing, hose examination, and hydrostatic testing.

Another mandatory stage of life-saving equipment inspection involves checking living quarters on board the vessel, as well as gangways and pilot ladders.

Life-Saving Equipment Maintenance

Technical maintenance of emergency life-saving equipment and apparatus allows for keeping the inventory in operational condition and saving significant amounts on purchasing new items. Our range of services includes:

  • Inspection and Certification of Immersion Suits, Lifebuoys, and Life Jackets;
  • Repacking of Life Rafts and Platforms;
  • Refilling of Fire Extinguishers;
  • Repair of Fire Hoses;
  • Adjustment of EEBD (Emergency Escape Breathing Devices);
  • Calibration and Refilling of CO2 Suppression Stations;
  • Configuration and Technical Maintenance of Alarm Systems;
  • Calibration and Repair of Gas Sensors;
  • Impregnation of Fabrics with Fire-Resistant Compounds.

Our Advantages

The Sharky Maritime team possesses extensive experience in inspecting and servicing emergency and firefighting equipment. We will do everything to ensure that your vessel meets all safety requirements perfectly and promptly. We offer a comprehensive range of services and will assist in purchasing the necessary equipment.

Safety Assurance
100%
Safety Assurance
Reduction in Insurance Risks
30%
Reduction in Insurance Risks
Savings on Maintenance
$3000
Savings on Maintenance
Satisfied Clients
317
Satisfied Clients
Hours - Average Inspection Duration
6
Hours - Average Inspection Duration
Qualified Experts in the Team
9
Qualified Experts in the Team

Why do clients choose us?

  • Professionalism and experience.
  • Time and resource savings.
  • Security guarantee.
  • Comprehensive turnkey inspections.
  • Utilization of modern technologies.

In matters of ensuring maritime safety, it is crucial to select reliable partners. You've come to the right place! By choosing our services, you are investing in the security, efficiency, and impeccable reputation of your business.

Sharky Maritime is a team of specialists ready to ensure your safety at sea. We meticulously inspect every detail responsible for saving lives and provide you with professional recommendations based on inspection results for equipment maintenance and replacement. 

We maintenance of safety equipment in various ports on the Black Sea coast, including Odessa, Chornomorsk, Yuzhny, Nikolaev, Izmail, Reni, Giurgiulesti and Constanta.

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FAQ

The time required for a life-saving equipment inspection on a vessel can vary depending on various factors such as the vessel's size, the quantity of equipment, its complexity, the presence of special features and technical specifications, as well as the experience of the inspectors. Generally, an inspection can take anywhere from a few hours to several days. Simple and standard equipment checks can be completed within a short timeframe. However, if a more detailed and thorough inspection is required, especially for larger vessels or complex systems, the inspection may take longer. It's important to note that safety is always a priority, so inspectors may allocate additional time to ensure a meticulous examination of the equipment and its readiness for use in emergency situations.

The presence of emergency and life-saving inventory on a vessel is a crucial aspect of its readiness for navigation. Failure to conduct timely inspections of life-saving equipment on a vessel can lead to serious consequences and impact various aspects:

  • Safety of crew and passengers - Untimely inspections can result in improper equipment functionality and endanger the lives of individuals on board.
  • Legal consequences - In many countries, regulations demand regular inspection and maintenance of life-saving equipment. Non-compliance with these requirements can lead to administrative fines or even the suspension of the vessel's operation.
  • Financial costs - Untimely inspections may necessitate emergency repairs or equipment replacement, resulting in significant financial expenditures.
  • Reputational risks - Negative repercussions from delayed life-saving equipment inspections can affect the reputation of shipowners, operators, or companies, potentially eroding trust among clients and partners.
  • Insurance - Some insurance companies may stipulate requirements for regular life-saving equipment inspections. Failure to meet these requirements could impact the insurance policy and compensation in the event of an incident.

Confirmation of timely life-saving equipment inspections is indicated by the Safety Management Certificate (SMC), a testament to safety management.

The specific list of life-saving equipment that must be present on a vessel depends on factors such as the type and size of the vessel, the number of passengers, and many other considerations. During consultation, our specialists will provide a comprehensive inventory list required by regulations specifically tailored to your vessel.

According to SOLAS requirements, life-saving equipment undergoes weekly and monthly inspections. Weekly inspections cover life rafts, all duty and rescue boats, their engines, and the operation of lifesaving appliances in both forward and reverse modes. Emergency lighting on the vessel is also inspected weekly. All life-saving equipment present on board the vessel is inspected once a month. The results of all inspections are documented in official and ship's logs.

Various methods and technologies are employed to assess the functionality and condition of life-saving equipment on a vessel, aimed at ensuring the safety of the crew and passengers. Some of these include visual inspections, functional tests, load testing, the use of specialized sensors and detectors, and testing of signaling and lighting devices. The effective combination of these methods and technologies provides an accurate and comprehensive assessment of the condition of life-saving equipment and ensures its readiness for use when needed.

The assessment of the condition of life-saving equipment is based on the results of our research. We analyze multiple indicators, test products according to the instructions specified in regulations and normative documents, and, in case of malfunctions or deviations in operation, document these findings and provide the client with a report containing recommendations for their resolution.

Safety Equipment
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