Liferaft Service in Mumbai: SOLAS Requirements, Inspection & Certification

A liferaft is one of the most important life-saving appliances carried onboard a commercial vessel. In an emergency such as fire, collision, flooding or abandonment of the vessel, the liferaft may become the primary means of survival for crew members until rescue arrives.

Because a liferaft may remain packed and unused for long periods, regular inspection and professional servicing are essential. A liferaft that appears to be in good condition from the outside may still have problems with its inflation system, fabric, seams, valves, equipment pack, hydrostatic release unit (HRU) or other components.

For vessels operating from or calling at Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, JNPT/Nhava Sheva and other Indian ports, selecting a competent and appropriately approved liferaft service provider is an important part of maintaining statutory compliance and operational readiness.

In this guide, we explain the key SOLAS requirements, liferaft inspection process, servicing intervals, certification and what shipowners and ship managers should consider when arranging liferaft service in Mumbai.

What Is Liferaft Servicing?

Liferaft servicing is a systematic inspection, testing, maintenance and repacking process carried out to verify that an inflatable liferaft and its associated equipment remain ready for deployment.

Depending on the liferaft type, manufacturer requirements and applicable servicing procedure, the service may involve examination of:

• Liferaft container or valise
• Inflatable tubes and chambers
• Seams and fabric condition
• Inflation valves
• Gas inflation system
• CO2 cylinder and associated components
• Pressure and leakage condition
• Canopy and supporting structure
• Boarding arrangements
• Liferaft floor
• Painter system
• Sea anchor
• Survival equipment
• Emergency equipment pack
• Pyrotechnics and expiry dates
• Water and food rations where applicable
• First-aid equipment
• Paddles and other accessories
• Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU), where fitted
• Identification markings and service information

The exact servicing procedure should follow the applicable manufacturer instructions and the requirements of the relevant administration and approval framework.

Why Is Liferaft Servicing Important?

Unlike equipment that is regularly operated, an inflatable liferaft is normally stored in a packed condition. Deterioration can therefore occur without being immediately visible.

Exposure to:

• Saltwater
• Humidity
• Heat
• UV radiation
• Temperature variations
• Oil and chemical contamination
• Ageing of rubber and fabric
• Mechanical damage
• Improper storage

can affect the readiness of the equipment.

Regular servicing helps identify defects before the liferaft is required in an actual emergency.

For shipowners and managers, professional servicing also provides documented evidence that the equipment has been inspected and maintained according to the applicable requirements.

What Does SOLAS Say About Liferaft Servicing?

Liferafts form part of the life-saving appliances required under SOLAS Chapter III – Life-Saving Appliances and Arrangements, together with the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code.

For inflatable liferafts on Indian-flag vessels, the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA/DGS) states that inflatable liferafts are to be serviced at intervals of not more than 12 months at a DGS-approved LSA service station. DGS also states that hydrostatic release units are subject to annual servicing.

This means annual liferaft servicing should not simply be treated as routine maintenance. It is an important part of maintaining the vessel's life-saving appliance compliance.

Ship operators should always verify the current requirements applicable to the vessel's flag, liferaft manufacturer and approval status before arranging service.

How Often Should a Liferaft Be Serviced?

For Indian-flag vessels, DGS currently specifies servicing intervals of not more than 12 months for inflatable liferafts at an approved LSA service station.

Ship managers should maintain a clear record of:

• Last service date
• Next service due date
• Liferaft serial number
• Manufacturer
• Capacity
• Container number
• HRU details
• Service certificate
• Service station details
• Relevant approval information

It is good practice to schedule servicing before the due date rather than waiting until the vessel is approaching a port or survey.

Liferaft Inspection in Mumbai: What Is Checked?

A professional liferaft inspection normally involves a systematic examination of the complete appliance.

1. External Inspection

Technicians inspect the liferaft container or valise for:

• Cracks
• Damage
• Corrosion
• Deformation
• Missing markings
• Damaged securing arrangements
• Evidence of water ingress

The condition of the container is important because it protects the packed liferaft from the marine environment.

2. Liferaft Inflation and Pressure Checks

The liferaft is opened and inflated according to the applicable servicing procedure.

Technicians check the inflation system and examine the inflated chambers for signs of leakage, damage or abnormal pressure loss.

3. Fabric and Seam Examination

The inflatable fabric and seams are carefully examined for deterioration, cuts, abrasion, delamination, damage or other defects.

Particular attention may be given to areas exposed to mechanical stress and environmental conditions.

4. Valve and Inflation System Inspection

Inflation valves and associated components are inspected to ensure that they are in appropriate condition and function according to the manufacturer's servicing procedure.

5. Equipment Pack Inspection

The contents of the liferaft emergency equipment pack are checked against the applicable requirements.

Items may include survival equipment, first-aid equipment, signalling equipment, water, food, sea anchor, paddles and other prescribed equipment depending on the pack and vessel operation.

Expired, damaged or missing items must be identified and dealt with according to the applicable requirements.

6. HRU Inspection

Where a hydrostatic release unit is fitted, its condition and validity should be checked.

The HRU is particularly important because it is designed to help release the liferaft automatically when the vessel sinks below the specified water depth.

DGS currently identifies annual servicing of hydrostatic release units as part of its life-saving appliance maintenance requirements.

7. Repacking

After completion of the applicable inspection and servicing procedure, the liferaft is repacked correctly into its container or valise.

Correct packing is essential because the liferaft must be capable of being deployed when required.

Liferaft Certification After Servicing

One of the most important documents associated with liferaft servicing is the service certificate or servicing documentation issued by the authorised service station.

The documentation should provide traceability for the serviced equipment and should correspond with the actual liferaft identification details.

Ship managers should check information such as:

• Liferaft manufacturer
• Liferaft serial number
• Capacity
• Service date
• Next due date
• Service station
• Relevant approval number
• Competent person/service personnel details where applicable
• HRU details
• Parts or equipment replaced during servicing
• Test or inspection results where applicable

DGS states that servicing records should be retained onboard and be available for inspection, including service-station information, approval details, competent-person information and identification details of serviced items.

Why Should Shipowners Use an Approved Liferaft Service Station?

Using an appropriately approved service station is an important part of maintaining statutory compliance.

DGS states that only DGS-approved LSA service stations are authorised to service inflatable appliances for the applicable Indian-flag framework.

DGS also maintains an approved list of liferaft service stations. The current list includes Marinetech facilities authorised for specified inflatable life-saving appliance services.

Shipowners and ship managers should therefore verify the service station's current approval, scope of approval and manufacturer authorisations before sending equipment for servicing.

Liferaft Service in Mumbai and JNPT

Mumbai and the wider Mumbai–Navi Mumbai region are important maritime service locations, with vessels and ship-management operations requiring regular maintenance of life-saving and fire-fighting equipment.

For vessels calling at Mumbai, JNPT/Nhava Sheva or nearby locations, arranging liferaft servicing in advance can help avoid delays during port calls.

A professional marine safety equipment company can coordinate:

1. Equipment identification
2. Collection or receipt of liferafts
3. Inspection
4. Servicing
5. Replacement of required items
6. Repacking
7. Certification/documentation
8. Return delivery to the vessel or customer

For ship managers, advance planning is particularly useful when several liferafts are due for service at the same time.

Liferaft Servicing and Port State Control

Port State Control inspections can examine the condition and documentation of life-saving appliances.

Common areas that may attract attention include:

• Expired service dates
• Damaged liferaft containers
• Missing or incorrect equipment
• Expired emergency supplies
• Invalid or incomplete documentation
• Expired HRUs
• Poor storage condition
• Identification discrepancies
• Evidence that servicing requirements have not been followed

Maintaining liferafts in serviceable condition and keeping proper documentation helps ship operators demonstrate that the vessel's lifesaving appliances are being appropriately maintained.

Why Choose Marinetech Safety Pvt. Ltd. for Liferaft Service in Mumbai?

Marinetech Safety Pvt. Ltd. provides marine safety equipment servicing and supply solutions for commercial vessels in India.

The company provides Life Raft Servicing and Inspection along with other lifesaving and marine safety services.

Marinetech's liferaft service capabilities include inspection, maintenance, repacking, testing and certification-related servicing for applicable liferaft systems. The company's service information also identifies approvals from major classification societies and manufacturer approvals for various liferaft makes.

For Mumbai-area customers, Marinetech operates from its Bhiwandi facility, providing access to the Mumbai maritime market. The DGS approved-station list records Marinetech Safety & Shipping Corporation at Bhiwandi–Mumbai for inflatable liferafts, rescue boats, HRUs and immersion suits under LSA/08/2024.

Marinetech also has a broader service network supporting shipowners and managers at important Indian maritime locations.

Marinetech Liferaft Service Capabilities

Depending on equipment type and applicable approval, services can include:

• Annual liferaft servicing
• Liferaft inspection
• Liferaft repacking
• Inflation and leakage checks
• Liferaft equipment inspection
• HRU inspection and replacement
• Liferaft emergency equipment checks
• Liferaft certification/documentation
• Liferaft servicing for commercial vessels
• Liferaft service support at Indian ports

Marinetech also maintains manufacturer approvals for a range of liferaft brands, including LALIZAS, Ningbo Haifeng, Ningbo Neptune, Ningbo Asia F.R.P., Shanghai Youlong, Shanghai Star, Jiangsu Haining and other manufacturers listed on its approvals page.

When Should You Arrange Liferaft Service?

Do not wait until the vessel is already alongside before checking whether the liferafts are due for servicing.

Shipowners and technical managers should review the liferaft service schedule well in advance of:

• Annual surveys
• Flag surveys
• Class surveys
• Port calls
• Dry docking
• Vessel takeover
• Internal safety inspections
• Port State Control inspections

Advance planning gives the service provider sufficient time to inspect the equipment and arrange any required replacement components.

Liferaft Service Checklist for Ship Managers

Before sending a liferaft for servicing, check:

 Liferaft service due date
 Liferaft serial number
 Manufacturer and model
 Liferaft capacity
 Container condition
 HRU validity
 Previous service certificate
 Vessel name and IMO number
 Required servicing location
 Applicable flag requirements
 Manufacturer approval requirements
 Required replacement items
 Return-to-vessel schedule

Keeping this information ready can make the servicing process faster and easier.

Conclusion

A liferaft is not simply another item of safety equipment stored onboard a vessel. It is a critical survival appliance that must be ready to operate when the crew needs it most.

Regular inspection, servicing, testing, correct repacking and proper documentation are therefore essential parts of vessel safety management.

For vessels operating in Mumbai and the surrounding maritime region, choosing a competent and appropriately approved liferaft service provider can help shipowners and ship managers maintain their life-saving appliances in accordance with applicable requirements.

Marinetech Safety Pvt. Ltd. provides professional Life Raft Servicing and Inspection services for commercial vessels, supported by marine safety expertise, manufacturer approvals and service infrastructure.

For detailed information about our liferaft servicing capabilities, visit our Life Raft Servicing and Inspection service page.

Contact Marinetech Safety Pvt. Ltd.

Phone: +91 72270 38216 | +91 79 7743 0002
Email: info@marinetechss.com

Request a Free Quote for liferaft servicing, inspection and marine safety equipment requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions About Liferaft Service in Mumbai

1. How often should an inflatable liferaft be serviced?

For Indian-flag vessels, inflatable liferafts should be serviced at intervals of not more than 12 months at a DGS-approved LSA service station, subject to applicable requirements.

2. Where can I get liferaft servicing in Mumbai?

Shipowners and ship managers can arrange professional liferaft servicing and inspection through an appropriately approved liferaft service station serving the Mumbai and Navi Mumbai maritime region.

3. What is checked during annual liferaft servicing?

The servicing process can include inspection of the liferaft container, inflatable chambers, fabric, seams, valves, inflation system, equipment pack, HRU and other applicable components.

4. Is a liferaft service certificate required after servicing?

Proper servicing documentation and records are important for demonstrating that the liferaft has undergone the applicable servicing process. Vessel records should be maintained and made available for inspection when required.

5. What is an HRU and why is it important for a liferaft?

A Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) is designed to automatically release a secured liferaft when a vessel sinks to the specified depth, allowing the liferaft to reach the surface. HRUs also require appropriate inspection and servicing according to applicable requirements.

6. Can liferafts be serviced before their due date?

Yes. Shipowners and technical managers can plan servicing in advance, particularly when a vessel has an upcoming port call, annual survey, dry docking or other scheduled inspection.

7. Can Marinetech Safety Pvt. Ltd. service liferafts from different manufacturers?

Marinetech Safety Pvt. Ltd. has manufacturer approvals covering various liferaft brands. The applicable approval and servicing scope should be verified for the specific liferaft model before servicing.

8. Why is professional liferaft servicing important for vessels calling at Mumbai?

Professional servicing helps ensure that liferafts remain properly maintained, inspected and documented according to applicable requirements. This can also help shipowners and managers prepare for flag, class and Port State Control inspections.