Approval of marine equipment issued by Bahamas

The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) has released an information notice to ship owners, managers, Masters, Approved Nautical Inspectors, Recognised Organizations, and surveyors regarding the approval of marine equipment.

The notice was published on 30 October 2023 and it supersedes BMA Information Bulletin No.71.

1. Purpose

1.1. This Notice provides information on the approval standards for individual items of marine equipment provided on board Bahamian ships to meet the requirements of International Conventions and which are required to be “approved by the Administration”.

2. Application

2.1. This Notice applies to all marine equipment subject to statutory certification to be used on Bahamian ships. It does not apply to marine equipment subject to class certification.

3. Certification of Marine Equipment - General

3.1. The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) is not usually directly involved in the process of certification of marine equipment unless the equipment is manufactured in The Bahamas.

3.2. Marine equipment fully certified by any Bahamas Recognised Organization under a Type Approval Scheme is considered approved for routine applications on board Bahamian ships.

3.3. The BMA also accepts marine equipment approvals granted by notified bodies authorized by States that are Parties to SOLAS, provided that the approval is in accordance with the Convention requirements.

3.4. Newly installed lifesaving equipment shall comply with SOLAS, the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code, and IMO Resolution MSC.81(70), as amended.

3.5. Existing marine equipment manufactured and tested in accordance with previous SOLAS requirements remains acceptable for use, provided it remains in serviceable condition.

3.6. The BMA also accepts marine equipment certified under the European Union Marine Equipment Directive (MED) and the United Kingdom Conformity Assessment Regulations (UKCA).

3.7. In the absence of any standards specified in a Convention or Code, the Recognised Organization shall provide the BMA with relevant information and recommend a suitable alternative manufacturing, testing, and performance standard.

4. Alternative Design and Arrangements and Novel Equipment

4.1. This Notice does not address the approval of "alternative design and arrangements" on Bahamian ships. Refer to BMA Marine Notice 86.

4.2. This Notice also does not apply to the approval of novel equipment as an equivalent or alternative arrangement to an International Convention requirement. Refer to BMA Marine Notice 08.

4.3. The Recognised Organization shall notify the BMA of any proposal to use approved equipment in an innovative manner. This may require additional testing and certification to be agreed between the BMA and the Recognised Organization.