In the SOLAS Convention and other maritime related standards, the safety of human life is paramount. Ships and other watercraft carry life saving appliances including lifeboats, lifebuoys, life-jackets, life raft and many others. Passengers and crew are informed of their availability in case of emergency. Life-saving appliances are mandatory as per chapter 3 of the SOLAS Convention. The International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code[2] gives specific technical requirements for the manufacture, maintenance and record keeping of life-saving appliances. The number and type of life-saving appliances differ from vessel to vessel, and the code gives a minimum requirement to comply in order to make a ship seaworthy.
The following are identified as LSA:
- Lifebuoys and life-jackets
- Immersion suits, anti-exposure suits and thermal protective aids
- Lifeboats
- Life-rafts
- Rescue boats
- Rocket parachute flares
- Hand flares
- Buoyant smoke signals
- Launching and embarkation appliances
- Marine evacuation systems
- Line-throwing appliances
- General emergency alarm system
- Public address system
Additionally the following PPE and lifesaving equipment is serviced as follows:
- SCBA Sets inspection / function test. Cylinder inspection, refilling / hydrotest.
- EEBD Sets inspection / function test. Cylinder inspection / hydrotest.
- Immersion suits inspection / pressure test. 3 Year pressure leak test.
- Lifejackets inspection.
- Resuscitator annual service. Medical oxygen cylinders inspection / refilling / hydrotest.
- BA compressor air quality test.