PMA MMC 258 - Maintenance and thorough examination of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appli.

    From the 1st of January 2020, the annual and five-year thorough examination, operational testing, repair and overhaul of lifeboats (including free-fall lifeboats), rescue boats and fast rescue boats and launching appliance and on-load and off-load release gear (including primary and secondary means of launching appliances for freefall lifeboats), rescue boats, fast rescue boats and davit-launched liferafts, shall be conducted by Administration's authorized serviceproviders.

    In cases where a manufacturer is no longer in business or no longer provides technical support, this Administration may authorize service providers only inexceptional circumstances after a comprehensive evaluation, and on a case bycase basis, to those listed in paragraph 6.1 of this Merchant Marine Circularor those under evaluation process to get approval by this Administration. This case by case authorization for service providers may be granted considering thestatus of its evaluation and additional parameters such as prior authorizationfor the equipment, long-term experience, and demonstrated expertise as anauthorized service provider.