Every vessel trading under an international flag must maintain its lifeboats, rescue boats, and davits in full operational condition. Yet many shipowners and managers still underestimate how frequently these systems must be inspected, what the inspections actually include, and who is authorized to perform them. Under  IMO Resolution MSC.402(96) and SOLAS Chapter III, Regulation 20, lifeboat and davit inspections are among the most regulated safety procedures in global shipping.

Annual vs Five-Year Inspections — The Core Difference

There are two categories of LSA inspections defined by MSC.402(96):
Annual – operational readiness verification;
Five-Year – structural and proof-load verification.
Both are mandatory and must be carried out by an authorized service provider approved by a classification society and working under an ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System. The depth, scope, and certification requirements distinguish one from the other.

Annual Lifeboat and Davit Inspection — Functional Readiness

The annual inspection acts as a detailed health check for the vessel’s lifesaving equipment. Certified technicians from OJ Safety examine all lifeboat and davit components for corrosion, deformation, and hydraulic or mechanical defects.
Typical checks include:

• Visual and functional inspection of hooks, release mechanisms, winches, brakes, and sheaves.
• Lubrication and reset verification of hooks under off-load condition.
• Brake performance tests and examination of foundations and structural supports.

Findings are recorded in a digital MSC.402(96)-referenced report, ensuring traceability under ISO 9001. Any corrective actions or spares used are listed for audit purposes. Upon completion, the vessel receives an Annual Inspection Certificate recognized by RINA, DNV, BV, ABS, and Lloyd’s Register, and accepted by all major flag administrations.

Five-Year Inspection — Proof of Strength and Compliance

The five-year inspection is a full-scale technical verification proving the system’s ability to carry its Safe Working Load (SWL) under controlled testing. It includes:

• Complete dismantling and overhaul of release mechanisms.
• Proof-load testing using certified water bags or deadweights, simulating 1.1 × SWL under dynamic conditions.
• Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) of critical load-bearing components when corrosion or stress is suspected.
• Functional synchronization of winches, brakes, and hydraulic circuits.

All tests are witnessed by a class surveyor, who verifies results and endorses the Load Test Certificate. These certificates form part of the vessel’s statutory documentation reviewed during ISM/ISPS audits and Port State Control inspections in Klaipėda, Gdynia, Riga, Tallinn, Hamburg, Rotterdam, and Bergen. Missing or outdated certificates are among the most common PSC deficiencies under SOLAS III/20.

Why Only Authorized Providers Matter

Under MSC.402(96), only companies and technicians holding valid class and flag approvals may perform these inspections. OJ Safety, based in Klaipėda (Lithuania), is an ISO 9001-certified and  RINA-approved service provider operating across the Baltic, North Sea, and Mediterranean regions.
Our technicians are trained for all major lifeboat and davit brands — Norsafe, Hatecke, Fassmer, Schat-Harding, Viking, Survitec — and follow each manufacturer’s procedures precisely. Unapproved inspections, even if technically correct, are not recognized by class or flag and may cause detention or re-inspection, leading to off-hire losses.

Combining Inspections for Efficiency

Many shipowners now combine annual and five-year LSA inspections with additional FFE (Fire-Fighting Equipment) services such as CO₂, foam, and SCBA testing.
OJ Safety coordinates these multi-service attendances across Baltic and Scandinavian ports, allowing vessels to complete all safety checks in one port call — from Klaipėda and Gdynia to Rotterdam and Copenhagen.
This approach minimizes downtime, ensures documentation consistency, and delivers full class-approved certification in a single visit.

Documentation and Regulatory Confidence

After each inspection, vessels receive:

• Inspection Report referencing MSC.402(96).
• Load Test Certificate (five-year).
• Comprehensive Service Summary with technician ID, calibration records, and photographic evidence.

All documents are issued under ISO 9001 traceability and are fully accepted by RINA, DNV, BV, ABS, Lloyd’s Register, and flag administrations worldwide. These records provide the transparency and confidence required during audits or class renewals.

Key Takeaway

The annual inspection ensures readiness — the lifeboat will launch when needed.
The five-year inspection proves durability — the system remains structurally sound.
Together, they safeguard lives, vessel certification, and operational continuity.
With an authorized partner like OJ Safety, shipowners can maintain full compliance across Europe, Scandinavia, and global ports, while reducing off-hire time and ensuring documentation that withstands any class or flag audit.