**Executive Summary**
NT Circular No. NT/LSA/01/2017, issued by the Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Shipping, Govt. of India, Mumbai, concerns the periodic testing of immersion suits and anti-exposure suits, aligning with SOLAS regulations and MSC/Cir.1114. The circular mandates monthly inspections and periodic air pressure tests to ensure the suits maintain adequate strength and water tightness. The circular is effective from 31.05.2017.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Monthly Inspection:**
* Immersion suits and anti-exposure suits must be inspected monthly in accordance with MSC/Cir.1047 and SOLAS Chapter III/20.7.2.
* **Periodic Air Pressure Tests:**
* Air pressure tests are recommended to ensure the maintenance of adequate strength and water integrity of immersion suits and anti-exposure suits.
* Suits should be subjected to an air pressure test at intervals not exceeding three years.
* Suits over ten years of age should be tested more frequently than every three years.
* Suits over ten years of age alternate year test should be in accordance with the guidelines set out in IMO Circular MSC/Cir.1114 dated 25.05.2004.
* **Locations for Air Pressure Tests:**
* Tests can be carried out at:
* DGS approved life raft service stations in India with adequate facilities
* Any IACS class approved service station outside India
* Onboard by personnel holding a minimum operational level foreign going Certificate of Competency (CoC) deemed competent. The Company may assist and approve the test on the ship.
* **Test Requirements:**
* Tests must be conducted according to MSC/Cir.1114 and manufacturer instructions.
* Suitable equipment necessary to carry out the test must be available onboard.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Ship Owners/Operators**
* **Impact:** Required to ensure immersion suits and anti-exposure suits are inspected monthly and undergo air pressure tests periodically.
* **Action Required:** Schedule regular inspections and air pressure tests, and arrange for tests at approved service stations or ensure onboard personnel are qualified and equipment is available.
**Stakeholder: Shipboard Personnel (Specifically those holding CoC)**
* **Impact:** Could be required to perform air pressure tests on immersion and anti-exposure suits.
* **Action Required:** Ensure familiarity with MSC/Cir.1114 and manufacturer's instructions, and that suitable testing equipment is available.
**Stakeholder: DGS and IACS Approved Service Stations**
* **Impact:** Potential increase in demand for air pressure testing services.
* **Action Required:** Ensure facilities are adequate and staff are trained to perform the tests in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Key Entities Referenced
MSC/Cir.1114: IMO Circular providing guidelines related to the maintenance and testing of immersion and anti-exposure suits.
SOLAS Chapter III/20.7.2: International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea regulation specifying requirements for immersion and anti-exposure suits inspections.
Ministry of Shipping: The Indian ministry responsible for maritime affairs, including shipping and ports.
Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai: The Directorate responsible for implementing and enforcing maritime regulations in India.
MSC/Cir.1047: IMO Circular related to immersion suits inspections.
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Email :muduli-dgs@gov.in Web: www.deshiopine.eov.in
NT Circular No. NT/LSA/0112017
Diredorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Shipping, Govt. of lndia, Mumbai
NAUTICAL WING
File No. 1g-NT (6y2009-Pt.lV
Subject-Periodic testing of immersion suit and anti
the Govt. of exposure suits seams and closures- reg. Dated 31.05.2017
1. ln accordance with SOLAS Chapter 11|.120.7.2, immersion suits and anti exposure
suits shall be inspected on monthly in accordance with MSC/C|r.1047.
2 MSC/Cir.1114 identifies that even under ideal condition; the materials and adhesives
used in the construction of immersion suit have a finite service life and will inevitably
experience a reduction in strength and/or loss of water tightness with age. To ensure
the maintenance of adequate strength and water integrity of seams and closure of
immersion suits and anti exposure suits with age, it is recommended that each suit
be subject to an air pressure test in accordance with MSC/Cn.1114 at interval not
exceeding three years, or more frequently for suits over ten years of age.
3. To ensure the maintenance of adequate strength and water tightness of seams and
closure of immersion suits and an anti exposure suits with the age, each suit should
be subject to an air pressure test at interval not exceeding three years and suits over
ten years of age atternate year, in accordance with the guidelines set out in IMO
Circular MSC/Cir.1114 dated 25.05.2004 as part of the maintenance required to be
carried out by SOLAS regulation 1|,1120.3.1.
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'taSBr4. As recommended in paragraph + of r shall
carry out air pressure test for compliance of immersion suits and anti exposure suits at
4.1 DGS approved life raft service station having adequate facilities in lndia or
4.2 Any IACS class approved service station outside tndia or
4.3 ship board personal holding minimum operational level foreign going
certificate of competency (coc) that are deemed to have necessary skill,
knowledge and competency to carry out the test in accordance with
MSC/Cir.1114 and instructions provided by the manufactures and that there
are available on board suitable equipment necessary to carry out the test.
The company may assist and approve on the ship board personal deem to
have necessary skills, knowledge and competency to carry out the test.
This is issued with the approval of the Nautical Advisor to the Govt. of
lndia.
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EI f,ej} (Cdpt. R.K. Muduli)
&\ Dy. Nautical Adviser to the Gol
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