Panama Maritime Authority -Updated list of authorized service providers

C24026 | 10 June 2024

Notice to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators / Surveyors / Auditors / Service Suppliers :

The Panama Maritime Authority has updated Circular MMC-258 to include new authorized service providers for maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances, and release gear – table 6.1 of the circular.

The following sections of the Circular have also been revised :

• Section 4– Requirements for approval as Authorized Service Provider for lifeboats, rescue boats and fast rescue boats, launching appliance and on-load and off-load release gear, and davit launched life rafts.
• Section 5 – Criteria to obtain authorization from the Panama Administration as Authorized Service Provider (ASP).
• Section 7 – Exceptional circumstances.

A new section 8 – Extensions of LSA services has been added:

• Annual performance tests and inspections of LSA are to be conducted within +/- 3 months of the annual SE and renewal PSSC according to SOLAS Chapter I, regulation 7 b) ii) and regulation 8.
• Where, due to unforeseen reasons the inspection and test are not performed within the required timeframe, the RO/Class must request to conditionate the SE or PSSC Certificate following the guidelines provided in MMC-156.
• According to SOLAS Chapter III/Reg. 20.8.1.1 Administration may only extend the period of servicing for inflatable liferaft, inflatable lifejacket, and marine evacuation system, for a period not exceeding 17 months. In such a case requests are to
  be sent via e-mail to “extensions” extensions@segumar.com

Act now

Ship Owners / Managers / Operators should consider the circular, refer to the revised list as necessary and be guided by the new requirements of section 8.