All Ships equipped with free fall lifeboat,

Amendments to SOLAS Chapter III, the LSA Code and MSC 81(70) as amended, and MSC Circular on voluntary early implementation of the amendments

SOLAS regulation III/33.2 and paragraph 4.4.1.3.2 of the LSA Code currently refers to ‘lifeboats’ which could be read as ‘all lifeboats including free-fall lifeboats (FFLB)’. The IMO agreed that the text should be clarified so that this regulation should only be applicable to davit-launched lifeboats. These amendments to SOLAS regulation III/33.2 and para 4.4.1.3.2 of the LSA Code remove the requirement to launch free-fall lifeboats with the ship making headway at speeds up to 5 knots in calm water.