Unified Interpretation of the LSA Code

Notice to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators / Surveyors :

C24049 | 05 September 2024

This Circular is issued to advise that the IMO Maritime Safety Committee, at its 107th session (31 May to 09 June 2023) approved unified interpretations to the LSA Code, which are provided as an Annex to MSC.1/Circ.1674.

These interpretations concern Paragraphs 4.1.5.1.13, 4.4.8.16, and 5.1.2.2.7 of the LSA Code – Equipment of liferaft, lifeboat, and rescue boat, respectively, and are:

• One spare bulb should be provided for torches utilizing either a filament bulb or single LED to provide the light source. Where the light source is provided by more than one LED, a spare LED bulb is not required, provided the failure of any one LED does not prevent the other LEDs from fully functioning.
• Provision of a second ready-for-use waterproof electric torch suitable for Morse signalling can be accepted as an alternative to providing one spare set of batteries and one spare bulb in a waterproof container.

Act now

Ship Owners, Managers, Operators, and Surveyors should use the annexed unified interpretations as guidance when applying paragraphs 4.1.5.1.13, 4.4.8.16 and 5.1.2.2.7 of the LSA Code.