Annual inspection and mandatory testing for re-certification of liferaft
Life rafts are an important safety requirement on ships. In their absence, marine fatalities could occur which otherwise could have been prevented. Ships, large boats, and other marine vessels incorporate the usage of life rafts, making them indispensable in the nature of marine vessel operations.
Like any equipment, even life rafts require periodic servicing and maintenance. Life raft repair services do not just mean repairing and servicing the rafts. They include proper prior inspection and monitoring carried out by qualified technicians. Generally, the inspection of the rafts for any problems or damage is prescribed to be carried annually. A regular yearly monitoring of the life raft ensures longevity of its usage for a considerable span of time.
OCEANSKIPPER has a detailed procedure for liferaft servicing to maintain highest quality standards. All the information related to inspection and certifications are archived according to regulations. The servicing includes cleaning, inside and outside inspections, repair work and replacements of liferaft equipment (if needed). The serviced liferaft goes through different testing procedure that are subjected to various intervals according to international regulations. For detail procedure, read below.
What happens during a liferaft service?
Documentation
- Liferaft is received and registered
- Logbook in the liferaft is completed (proof that the liferaft has been opened and tested)
- Inspection is performed using the VIKING approved inspection checklist
- Certificate of re-inspection is issued
- Full documentation for service is archived according to regulations
- Detailed invoice is issued
Service
- Container is opened and the inflation system dismounted
- Liferaft is removed from the container
- Container shell is cleaned and fiberglass is repaired if needed
- Container is relabelled
- Liferaft is inspected inside and out
- Emergency pack in checked and items replaced if expired according to regulations
- Liferaft equipment is inspected and replaced if needed
- Cylinder operating head, valve, knife and release wire is inspected
- Inflations systems and high pressure hoses are inspected
- CO2 cylinder is checked for correct content level
- Liferaft is deflated, repacked in the container and prepared for dispatch
Testing
- Liferaft is inflated with compressed air and pressure tested including a 60 min. working pressure test of the lower buoyancy chamber, upper buoyancy chamber and arch chamber
- If the liferaft is equipped with an inflatable floor, this is pressure tested for 60 min.
Liferaft is subjected to specific tests at various intervals according to international regulations.
- Gas inflation stress test (GI) is conducted every 5 years using the liferaft’s own CO2 cylinder to inflate the liferaft
- Necessary additional pressure test (NAP) at double the working pressure rate is conducted at 11 years end then annually thereafter
- Floor seam test (FS) is performed to check the seams of the internal floor and is conducted at 10 years and then annually
