This guide explains MSC.402(96) lifeboat maintenance requirements for lifeboats, rescue boats, launching appliances, and release gear on board SOLAS vessels. The IMO Maritime Safety Committee adopted Resolution MSC.402(96) on 19 May 2016. It took effect on 1 January 2020 with the related SOLAS III/3 and III/20 amendments.

Use this page to align lifeboat maintenance with class and flag expectations. In addition, the guide helps you prepare for Port State Control inspections and annual surveys. Finally, it shows how to structure inspection records so they survive scrutiny. You can download the full text of Resolution MSC.402(96) as a PDF below.

OJ Safety is authorised to perform MSC.402(96) annual and 5-yearly inspections of lifeboats, davits, and release gear. We work on board vessels across the Baltic, Nordic, and European regions.

What is Resolution MSC.402(96)?

Resolution MSC.402(96) sets the IMO requirements for maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul, and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances, and release gear. The Maritime Safety Committee adopted it on 19 May 2016. It links directly to SOLAS regulation III/20 (operational readiness, maintenance and inspections) and SOLAS regulation III/36 (instructions for on-board maintenance).

The resolution applies to:

• Lifeboats, including free-fall lifeboats
• Rescue boats and fast rescue boats
• Launching appliances for the above and for davit-launched liferafts
• On-load and off-load release gear

Importantly, MSC.402(96) replaces the older guidance in MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1 and MSC.1/Circ.1277. Therefore, all annual and 5-yearly inspections must follow these Requirements. As a result, only authorised service providers with certified personnel can perform thorough examinations and operational tests under sections 4.2 and 4.3.

MSC.402(96) lifeboat maintenance — inspection intervals at a glance

The table below summarizes the main intervals for MSC.402(96) lifeboat maintenance:

Note: maintenance and overhaul follow the manufacturer’s manuals. The shipboard records stay on board for the service life of the equipment.

Who can perform MSC.402(96) inspections?

MSC.402(96) draws a clear line between shipboard routine work and certified inspections.

• Weekly and monthly inspections — shipboard personnel under a senior officer, in line with the maintenance manual. Authorised service providers may also perform them.
• Annual thorough examination and operational test — certified personnel of the manufacturer or an authorised service provider only.
• 5-yearly thorough examination, overhaul, and overload test — certified personnel of the manufacturer or an authorised service provider only.

The Administration (flag state) authorises service providers under section 7 of MSC.402(96). Typically, this requires a documented quality system. In practice, an ISO 9000-based quality system meets the requirement. Furthermore, personnel hold certification valid for three years, specific to each make and type of equipment.

What does the annual thorough examination cover?

The annual inspection starts with the weekly and monthly checklist items required by SOLAS III/20.6 and III/20.7. Next, the inspector reviews crew maintenance records and equipment certificates. Then, the inspector examines the boat itself.

For lifeboats, rescue boats, and fast rescue boats, the inspector checks:

• Boat structure, including fixed and loose equipment, plus a visual check of void space boundaries
• Engine and propulsion system
• Sprinkler system, where fitted
• Air supply system, where fitted
• Manoeuvring system
• Power supply system
• Bailing system
• Fender and skate arrangements
• Rescue boat righting system, where fitted

For release gear, the inspector checks the following items after the annual empty-boat winch brake test:

• Operation of release activation devices
• Excessive free play and tolerances
• Hydrostatic interlock system, where fitted
• Cables for control and release
• Hook fastening

Importantly, the resolution forbids any maintenance or adjustment of release gear while the hooks are under load. Utmost care applies to every inspection step.

How are release gear operational tests performed?

MSC.402(96) defines distinct procedures for each type of release gear.

On-load release test (davit-launched boats):

1. Position the boat partially in the water. The falls support most of the boat’s mass. The hydrostatic interlock does not trigger.
2. Operate the on-load release gear.
3. Reset the on-load release gear.
4. Examine the gear and hook fastening. Confirm full reset with no damage.

Off-load release test (davit-launched boats):

1. Float the boat fully waterborne.
2. Operate the off-load release gear.
3. Reset the off-load release gear.
4. Recover the boat to the stowed position. Check full reset before hoisting. Turn the boat in without persons on board.

Free-fall lifeboat release test: the inspector engages the simulation arrangement per LSA Code 4.7.6.4. Then, the operator releases the lifeboat without launching. After that, the team resets the boat. Finally, the inspector verifies the stowed launch-ready configuration.

Davit-launched liferaft automatic release test: manually release with 150 kg on the hook. After that, automatically release with a 200 kg dummy weight on touchdown. Then, examine the hook for full reset and damage.

What does the 5-year thorough examination and overload test involve?

Every five years, MSC.402(96) requires a deeper inspection and an overload test of the launching system.

Winch overload test (6.3.1): the team applies a proof load equal to 1.1 times the weight of the survival craft or rescue boat plus its full complement of persons and equipment. When the load reaches maximum lowering speed, the brake applies abruptly. After the test, the inspector re-examines stressed structural parts where access permits.

Release gear overhaul (6.3.3):

• Dismantle the hook release units
• Examine tolerances and design requirements
• Adjust the release gear after reassembly
• Perform an operational test at 1.1 times the weight of the craft and its full complement
• Examine vital parts for defects and cracks

As a result, the 5-yearly service confirms continued fitness for purpose. Furthermore, the authorised service provider issues a written statement of fitness once the work completes, with copies of valid certification and authorisation attached.

What evidence and records must be kept on board?

Section 5 of MSC.402(96) sets clear documentation rules. In practice, Port State Control and classification surveyors check every one of these items:

• Inspection reports and checklists, signed by the inspector and countersigned by the Company representative or the Master
• Records of all maintenance, thorough examinations, operational tests, overhauls, and repairs — kept on board for the service life of the equipment
• Statement of fitness for purpose, issued by the authorised service provider after each thorough examination, operational test, overhaul, or repair
• Copies of valid authorisation and personnel certification documents
• Maintenance manuals and technical documentation, up to date

Importantly, missing or inconsistent records rank among the most common deficiencies in lifeboat PSC inspections.

Common deficiencies during PSC and class inspections

Based on practical inspection experience, surveyors most frequently flag the following findings on lifeboats and davits:

• Overdue 5-yearly overload test on the winch
• Release gear hooks not dismantled at the 5-year interval
• Hydrostatic interlock corroded or seized
• Winch brake pads worn beyond tolerance
• Wire ropes with kinks, corrosion, or end-for-end overdue
• On-load release reset issues — incomplete or unverified
• Missing statement of fitness after a repair or overhaul
• Expired personnel certification of the attending technician
• Maintenance manuals missing, outdated, or not on board
• Crew unfamiliar with launching procedures

OJ Safety inspection reports cover every one of these points. As a result, you can close findings before the next class or PSC attendance.

How MSC.402(96) relates to other regulations

MSC.402(96) sits inside a broader life-saving appliances framework:

• SOLAS III/20 — operational readiness, maintenance, and inspections (parent regulation)
• SOLAS III/36 — instructions for on-board maintenance
• SOLAS III/3 — definitions amended in parallel by MSC.404(96)
• LSA Code — design and performance requirements for life-saving appliances
• MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1 — earlier measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats (now superseded for inspection purposes)
• MSC.1/Circ.1277 — interim recommendation on authorisation of service providers (also superseded)
• ISO 9000 series — quality system reference for authorised service providers

For an overview of related IMO circulars, see our IMO & SOLAS Regulations section. In addition, for related LSA topics, see our LSA Regulations & Guides.

Download Resolution MSC.402(96) — full PDF

You can download the full text of Resolution MSC.402(96) below. Use it to plan inspection windows. Also, attach it as evidence to PMS tasks. Furthermore, reference it during class surveys, PSC inspections, and internal audits. Finally, brief shipboard officers and the deck crew before the next drill.

How OJ Safety supports MSC.402(96) lifeboat maintenance

RINA and other major classification societies approve OJ Safety as a Service Supplier under category N — Maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats, rescue boats, launching appliances, and release gear. We deliver:

• Annual thorough examinations and operational tests under MSC.402(96)
• 5-yearly thorough examinations, overhauls, and 1.1× overload tests
• Release gear dismantling, NDT, and adjustment
• Winch brake servicing and load testing
• Davit hydraulic and electrical repair
• Free-fall lifeboat simulated release tests
• Statements of fitness for purpose, ready for class and PSC

In practice, we serve vessels across the Baltic, Nordic, and European ports — both alongside and in dry-dock. Contact us for a quotation or to schedule an MSC.402(96) lifeboat maintenance inspection.