IMSML Web Article 6/2026: RESOLUTION MSC.554(108) - AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCE (LSA) CODE
The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) adopted the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code ("the LSA Code"), which has become mandatory under chapter III of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974., see Resolution MSC.48(66). On 1 July 2025, are deemed to be accepted and entered into force on 1 January 2026.
What ships are caught by the amendments?
All specified installations for the following:
[1] For ships where the building contract is placed on or after 1 January 2026;
[2] In the absence of a contract, the keels which are laid or which are at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 January 2026.
For ships that do not fall into categories [1] and [2] above:
[1] All installations having a contractual delivery date for the equipment;
[2] In the absence of a contractual delivery date, installations actually delivered to the ship on or after 1 January 2026.
What is the new applicable standard for life jackets?
Under a new Paragraph 2.2.1.6.2, found in Chapter II titled ‘Personal Life Saving Appliances’, the nose and mouth shall be clear of water in an average time not exceeding that of the RTD plus 1 s. In order to conduct this test, one needs to turn the body of unconscious, face-down persons in the water to a face-up position where the nose and mouth are clear of water.
What are the new general requirements in Chapter IV on ‘Survival Craft’?
A new Paragraph 4.4.7.6.8 provides for the following:
[1] In order to prevent an accidental release during the recovery of a boat, the hook shall not be able to support any load unless the hook is completely reset;
[2] Where there is a hook which is capable of releasing the lifeboat or rescue boat with a load on the hook when it is not fully waterborne:
[a] The handle or safety pins shall not be able to be returned to the reset (ie closed) position; AND …
[b] Any indicators shall not indicate the release mechanism is reset, unless the hook is completely reset;
[3] Additional danger signs shall be posted at each hook station to alert crew members to the proper method of resetting.
A new Paragraph 4.4.7.6.17 also makes the following exception when a single fall and hook system is used for the launching of a lifeboat or rescue boat:
The general requirements are not applicable when the single fall and hook system does not have the capability to release the lifeboat rescue boat with a load on the hook when it is not fully waterborne.
What are the new amendments found in Chapter VI on ‘Launching and Embarkation Appliances’?
There is a new 6.1.2 on launching appliances using falls and a winch. In particular 6.1.2.8 makes provision for the speed at which the fully loaded survival craft or rescue boat is lowered to the water. There are two factors which must be taken into account:
[1] The lowering speed in metres per second (S); AND …
[2] The height in metres from the David head to the waterline with the ship at the lightest sea-going condition (H).
The applicable formula under the new Paragraph 6.1.2.8 is as follows:
S = 0.4 + 0.02H, or 1.0, whichever is less.
The application of the formula is supplemented by a new Paragraph 6.1.2.10 which states the following:
[1] The maximum lowering speed of a fully loaded survival craft or rescue boat
shall be 1.3 m/s;
[2] IMO may accept a maximum lowering speed other than 1.3 m/s, having regard to the following:
[a] Design of the survival craft or rescue boat;
[b] The protection of its occupants from excessive forces; AND …
[c] The strength of the launching arrangements taking into account inertia forces during an emergency stop.
Thank you for reading IMSML Web Article 6/2026
Stay tuned for the next IMSML Web Article 7/2026: RESOLUTION MSC.555(108) AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL CODE FOR FIRE SAFETY SYSTEMS (FSS CODE)
Signing-off for today,
Dr Irwin Ooi Ui Joo, LL.B(Hons.)(Glamorgan); LL.M (Cardiff); Ph.D (Cardiff); CMILT
Professor of Maritime and Transport Law
Faculty of Law
Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam
Selangor, Malaysia
Tuesday, 10 February 2026
Note that I am the corresponding author for the IMSML Website Articles. My official email address is: uijoo310@uitm.edu.my