IMO issues amendments to the LSA Code

The International Maritime Organization has adopted Resolution MSC.535(107), amending the International Life-Saving Appliance Code (LSA Code).

The resolution was adopted on 8 June 2023 and enters into force on 1 January 2029.

The Maritime Safety Committee, recalling Article 28(b) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Committee, recalling also resolution MSC.48(66), by which it adopted the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code ("the LSA Code"), which has become mandatory under chapter III of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974 ("the Convention"), recalling further Article VIII(b) and Regulation III/3.10 of the Convention concerning the procedure for amending the LSA Code.

Having considered, at its 107th session, amendments to the LSA Code proposed and circulated in accordance with Article VIII(b)(i) of the Convention adopts, in accordance with Article VIII(b)(iv) of the Convention, amendments to the LSA Code, the text of which is set out in the annex to the present resolution.

The Committee determines, in accordance with Article VIII(b)(vi)(2)(bb) of the Convention, that the amendments shall be deemed to have been accepted on 1 July 2025 unless, prior to that date, more than one-third of the Contracting Governments to the Convention or Contracting Governments, the combined merchant fleets of which constitute not less than 50% of the gross tonnage of the world's merchant fleet, have notified their objections to the amendments;

The Committee invites Contracting Governments to note that, in accordance with Article VIII(b)(vii)(2) of the Convention, the amendments shall enter into force on 1 January 2026 upon their acceptance in accordance with paragraph 2 above.

Also, it invites Contracting Government to note that the provisions in the annex are to be applied to totally enclosed lifeboats installed on or after 1 January 2029 where the expression installed on or after 1 January 2029 means:

(a) for ships for which the building contract is placed on or after 1 January 2029, or in the absence of the contract, constructed on or after 1 January 2029, any installation date on the ship; or
(b) for ships other than those ships prescribed in (a) above, a contractual delivery date for the equipment or, in the absence of a contractual delivery date, the actual delivery date of the equipment to the ship on or after 1 January 2029.

The Committee requests the Secretary-General, in conformity with Article VIII(b)(v) of the Convention, to transmit certified copies of the present resolution and the text of the amendments contained in the annex to all Contracting Governments to the Convention.

The Committee also requests the Secretary-General to transmit copies of this resolution and its annex to Members of the Organization which are not Contracting Governments to the Convention.

Annex: Amendments to the International Life-Saving Appliance Code (LSA Code)

Chapter IV Survival Craft

4.6 Totally enclosed lifeboats

The following new paragraphs 4.6.6 and 4.6.7 are added after existing paragraph 4.6.5:

"4.6.6 Ventilation means

4.6.6.1 A totally enclosed lifeboat shall be provided with means to achieve a ventilation rate of at least 5 m3/h per person for the number of persons which the lifeboat is permitted to accommodate and for a period of not less than 24 hours. The ventilation means shall be operable from inside the lifeboat and shall be arranged to ensure that the lifeboat is ventilated without stratification or formation of unventilated pockets.

4.6.6.2 Where the means of ventilation is powered, the source shall not be the radio batteries referred to in paragraph 4.4.6.11; and where dependent on the lifeboat engine, sufficient fuel shall be provided to comply with paragraph 4.4.6.8.

4.6.7 Openings of the ventilation system and their means of closing

4.6.7.1 Each opening of the ventilation means required in paragraph 4.6.6 shall be provided with means of closing. The means of closing shall be operable by a person from inside the lifeboat. Means shall be provided to ensure that the openings can be kept closed before, i.e. while in the stowed position, and during the launching of the lifeboat.

4.6.7.2 Inlet and outlet openings of the ventilation means and their external fittings shall be located and designed to minimize the ingress of water through the openings, without using the means of closing required in paragraph 4.6.7.1 and taking into consideration the requirements provided in paragraph 4.6.3.2.

4.6.7.3 For a free-fall lifeboat complying with the requirements of section 4.7, the openings and their means of closing shall be designed to withstand the loads and prevent ingress of water under the anticipated submerged condition of the lifeboat at the time of free-fall launching.

4.6.7.4 For a lifeboat with a self-contained air support system complying with the requirements of section 4.8, the openings and their means of closing shall be designed to maintain the pressure required by section 4.8.

4.6.7.5 For a fire-protected lifeboat complying with the requirements of section 4.9, the openings and their means of closing shall be designed to ensure that the capability of protecting persons in the lifeboat is not impaired, under the conditions specified in paragraph 4.9.1."

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