Compliance with IMO & SOLAS Standards

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) requires all vessels to comply with MSC.402(96), which makes annual and 5-year inspections mandatory for lifeboats, rescue boats, launching appliances, and release gear. Failure to comply can result in port detentions, fines, and even denial of entry at certain terminals.

Safety Through Preventive Maintenance

With exposure to saltwater, UV light, and constant use during drills, lifeboats and rafts undergo wear and tear:

• Rubber seals weaken over time.

• Hydrostatic release units (HRUs) lose accuracy.

• Mechanical release gears can seize if not properly lubricated.

Routine servicing ensures every part works when it matters most.

Offshore Safety’s Inspection Expertise

At Offshore Safety Equipment, our certified service team provides:

• Annual and 5-year lifeboat inspections with load testing.

• Life raft overhauls with repacking, leak testing, and HRU replacement.

• Manufacturer-approved spare parts to ensure reliability.

We are authorized by leading brands and follow IMO/flag state requirements, giving shipowners peace of mind.

Conclusion
Regular inspections are not an expense — they’re an investment in the safety of crew and vessel. Offshore Safety ensures your lifeboats and life rafts are always ready, reliable, and regulation-compliant.

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Saudi Arabia is a hub for global shipping, with busy ports like Jeddah, Dammam, and Yanbu. Offshore Safety Equipment plays a key role in supporting shipowners, managers, and charterers with certified safety services.

Our Key Services

• Life-Saving Appliances (LSA): Servicing liferafts, lifeboats, immersion suits, and HRUs.
• Fire-Fighting Equipment (FFE): CO₂, FM-200, Novec systems, extinguishers, SCBAs, EEBDs, and foam testing.
• Radio & GMDSS: Surveys, VDR APT, AIS, EPIRB, NAVTEX, and SART inspections.
• Calibration: Traceable calibration of detectors, gauges, and navigation instruments.
• Diving: Hull inspections, propeller polishing, and offshore platform surveys.

Class Approvals & Compliance

We are authorized by leading class societies (ABS, BV, RINA, etc.), ensuring services are accepted globally. Our reports meet IMO and SOLAS requirements.

Why Choose Us?

• 24/7 service coverage in Saudi ports.
• Experienced engineers and divers.
• Fast certification turnaround to reduce downtime.

Partner With Us

For reliable safety compliance and marine services, Offshore Safety Equipment is your trusted partner in Saudi Arabia. Reach out to discuss service support for your fleet.

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SOLAS compliance is essential for vessel safety and smooth port operations. Failing inspections leads to costly delays and potential detentions.

Top 5 Failures Found During SOLAS & PSC Inspections

1. Expired Certificates: Liferafts, extinguishers, and radio equipment out of date.
2. Liferaft Deficiencies: Outdated HRUs, damaged canisters, or poor stowage.
3. Fire-Fighting Equipment Issues: Missing extinguishers, low-pressure SCBAs, untested foam.
4. GMDSS Failures: Dead EPIRB batteries, faulty NAVTEX, no VDR APT certificate.
5. Calibration & Gas Detection: Expired or missing calibration certificates.

How to Avoid These Failures

• Keep a digital log of all service certificates.
• Schedule services in advance of port calls.
• Train crew on regular maintenance checks.

Our Support

We provide end-to-end SOLAS compliance services in Saudi Arabia, ensuring zero delays during PSC inspections. Contact us to book inspection support.

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GMDSS equipment ensures vessels can communicate in emergencies. Annual surveys are mandatory, but many vessels fail Port State Control (PSC) checks due to small oversights.

Top 5 Common Issues

1. Expired EPIRB batteries.
2. Non-functional SART units.
3. Outdated NAVTEX receivers.
4. Handheld VHFs with dead batteries.
5. Missing or outdated radio logbook entries.

How to Stay Compliant

• Keep spare batteries for handheld VHFs.
• Test EPIRBs and SARTs regularly.
• Update NAVTEX software when required.
• Maintain detailed radio logs for all DSC calls.

Our Support

We carry out flag and class-approved GMDSS surveys with full reporting and certification. Arrange your survey now to avoid PSC detentions.

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SOLAS requires vessels to maintain portable extinguishers in ready condition. This includes annual servicing and periodic hydrotesting.

Service Intervals

• Monthly checks: Weight, pressure, and accessibility.
• Annual servicing: Refill if discharged, replace damaged hoses, verify seals.
• Hydrotesting: Usually every 5 years, depending on type.

Common Failures

• Missing extinguishers or broken brackets.
• Expired service tags.
• Leaking or corroded cylinders.

PSC Focus

Inspectors often check extinguisher pressure gauges and hydrotest dates first, making them a frequent deficiency area.

Our Services

We perform hydrotesting, refilling, and certification of extinguishers across Jeddah, Yanbu, and Dammam. Book extinguisher servicing today.

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Engine rooms are high-risk spaces. CO₂ fire suppression systems are designed to flood the compartment, extinguishing fires instantly. SOLAS requires annual inspections and 2-yearly cylinder weighing or ultrasonic testing.

Annual Testing Requirements

• Check cylinder pressure and weight.
• Inspect release valves, hoses, and piping for leaks.
• Verify alarms and shutdown interlocks.
• Confirm control panel indicators function correctly.

Common Failures Found

• Empty or undercharged cylinders.
• Blocked or corroded nozzles.
• Control panel malfunctions.

Documentation

Keep service reports and cylinder certificates onboard. Inspectors often cross-check these against vessel fire control plans.

Our Support

We provide class-approved CO₂ system servicing in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf. Our engineers test, weigh, and certify systems for PSC and class compliance. Schedule your CO₂ test today.

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Lifeboats are a vessel’s last line of defense in emergencies. SOLAS and IMO MSC.402(96) mandate annual and five-year servicing of lifeboats, davits, and release gear by approved service suppliers. Failure to comply risks PSC detentions, fines, and—more importantly—crew safety.

Key Components Inspected

• Release Mechanisms: Testing both on-load and off-load release gear.
• Fall Wires: Checking for wear, greasing, and certification of replacement intervals.
• Hull & Canopy: Inspecting for cracks, leaks, or UV degradation.
• Load Test: Conducted per MSC.402(96) guidelines to ensure strength.

Common Failures Found by Inspectors

• Poorly maintained release gear leading to malfunctions.
• Expired certificates of fall wires.
• Unrecorded or missing 5-year servicing.

Documentation to Keep Onboard

After servicing, the vessel must keep:

• Signed and stamped service report.
• Updated certificates for lifeboats, davits, and release gear.
• Record of load test results.

How Offshore Safety Equipment Helps

Our team provides class-approved lifeboat and davit servicing across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf. We ensure compliance, minimize downtime, and provide full reports for PSC inspections.

Request lifeboat servicing today to stay compliant and protect your crew.

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SOLAS requires liferaft inspection by approved stations. Poor stowage, expired HRUs and damaged canisters are common PSC findings.

Your Pre-Port Checklist

• Confirm last service date and certificate validity.
• Verify HRU expiry and painter line condition.
• Check cradle condition, lashings, and markings.

During Service

Technicians inspect canister integrity, inflation, valves, equipment packs, flares and lights. Reports include photos, findings and next due date.

Documentation

Keep the latest certificate and service report onboard. Ensure serial numbers match the raft & canister labels.

Service in KSA & the Gulf

We provide class-approved liferaft servicing with rapid turnaround in Jeddah, Dammam, Yanbu & Gulf ports. Request liferaft service.

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Gas detectors drift over time. Without traceable calibration, readings become unreliable—putting crews at risk and inviting PSC remarks.

What “Traceable” Means

Each instrument is compared against a reference standard with documented uncertainty. Your certificate should list date, method, gases/values, and technician ID.

Recommended Intervals

• Portable gas detectors: bump test before use; calibration every 3–6 months.
• Fixed systems: follow OEM guidance; verify alarms and logs.

Common Calibration Pitfalls

• Expired span gases
• Unrecorded adjustments
• Certificates not onboard

How We Help

We provide on-site calibration for detectors, gauges and nav instruments across KSA ports—with digital certificates accepted by class. Book calibration.

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