The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology

Survitec enhances lifeboat inspection solution

(Posted on 26/07/21)

Leading survival technology provider, Survitec, has relaunched its lifeboat inspection solution underpinned by the company’s novel ‘Hub and Spoke’ network model.

Lifeboat Inspection 402, devised in line with regulations mandated in 2020 under SOLAS Chapter III & IMO MSC.402(96), has been enhanced to deliver greater flexibility and convenience to vessel operators.

Metkel Yohannes, Survitec’s Lifeboat Product Category Manager said: “We have significantly optimised our global lifeboat inspection solution to better reflect the operational needs of our customers and local dynamics.

In addition, our Lifeboat Inspection 402 solution includes further enhancements to its agreement options. For instance, as well as traditional spot market lifeboat inspections, Survitec offers more cost-effective frame or subscription-based agreements. Customers can benefit from lower costs, port priority and due-date management – all from a single point of contact.

Lifeboat inspections must be carried out annually, with a more extensive inspection and load testing taking place at five-year intervals. But, as Yohannes explained, waiting until the certificate’s expiry date to sort out an inspection is not the most efficient approach.

“This is where the Hub and Spoke model combined with the available agreement options really comes into its own.

“The hub is the main port where our multi-skilled technicians are based, with spokes radiating out to secondary ports. Fully approved and authorised lifeboat inspections can be carried out at any port along the spoke. It has been developed to deliver transparent and predictable pricing, but also a greater degree of operational flexibility and convenience.”

Paul Watkins, Survitec’s Regulatory and Compliance Manager and Chair of the Technical Committee for ILAMA, added: “We want to simplify the lifeboat inspection process and demystify regulation, so our customers have total confidence in their safety equipment. Our Lifeboat Inspection 402 offer delivers a more effective way to achieve compliance and help keep our customers’ vessels operational and our seafarers safe."

As a Flag State authorised multi-brand lifeboat inspection provider, Survitec teams are competent, capable and certified to deliver on all makes and types of lifeboats, davits, and hooks.

Hub ports currently include Singapore, Rotterdam, Fujairah, Shanghai, Doha, Barcelona, Miami, Busan, Aberdeen, Algeciras, and Piraeus. Over 60 Flag Administrations have now authorised Survitec’s Hub & Spoke lifeboat inspections.