How to Find a Good Lifeboat and Davit Inspector

Safety and security in the seas are necessary, wherever you are. Thus, it is also necessary to be prepared, not just with manpower but also with equipment to facilitate rescue or emergency responses in times of untoward incidents.

However, having proper equipment such as life vests, lifeboats, davit or the like, will not be enough if there is no regular inspection and maintenance. These should not also only be maintained by random owners or individuals but by accredited institutions who have the knowledge and capability to address even the smallest details of these equipment.

In Singapore, there are a number of accredited centers that provide lifeboat repair, lifeboat davit inspection and replacement of davit parts.

How to find a good lifeboat service and inspection provider?

• Its services must comply with the standards of the International Marine Organization (IMO).

The IMO is the international body that governs marine issues and addresses maritime security and safety in almost all countries in the world.

According to IMO, shipping is considered as of the most dangerous industries in the world. In 1959, IMO adopted the new version of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) which specify the minimum standards for the construction, equipment and operation of ships, as well as the instructions for operation of lifeboats.

This is the reason it is important that the services and products comply with these standards, to make sure that it is safe, globally recognized, and reliable.

• It has an established reputation.

With all the sea accidents happening anywhere in the world, it would be best to find and choose the provider that has the least or if possible, no record of having its equipment incur an accident.

Factors to include in considering are: having no record of lifeboat leakages or sinking, having enough spare parts for equipment, and of course, being preferred by most number of marine business stakeholders whose businesses are known and have been surviving for many years.

• Authorized to operate and to sell spare parts

Just like any other business that has to be registered and acknowledged by the government in order to be legitimate, it is important that your lifeboat and davit system inspection provider is authorized to operate, as well as to sell spare parts.

It is common that these providers are in partnerships with manufacturers of lifeboats, davit, vests and the spare parts of these equipment. However, before these providers can sell these spare parts, they should be authorized by the manufacturers, to make sure that they do not only use these spare parts for their inspection and maintenance business but are also making money out of them by selling them to customers.

• Have enough staff and conducts proper testing

There is nothing wrong in asking how many they are in their team who do the lifeboat repair. While number does not determine quality, it is necessary to know that they have enough manpower to do the relevant works to your lifeboat and davit. It also matters to know the steps they are taking and the equipment used for testing these lifeboat and davit, such a conducting a load test.