During these unprecedented times, Survitec recognises that there may be disruption to your operation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and as a further result, your lifeboat inspection may need to be delayed or rescheduled. We are still delivering these services globally to help ensure vessels to continue to operate safely.
We have made many changes to our operation to help reduce the risk associated with the COVID-19 virus whilst still offering the same level of service to our customers. The below details the extra safety measures we are taking on board prior, during and after a lifeboat inspection:
- Confirmation from the vessel that they are COVID-19 free
- Confirmation from the vessel that any recently joined crew members have either been quarantined for the required time period or have not arrived from an area that is affected by COVID-19 in the previous 14 days, and if the later, have taken the recommended precautions since travel
- Engineers will contact the vessel from the quay prior to going onboard.
- Ships crew will invite the engineers on board, observing the strict 2 – 3 metre social distancing rules.
- Engineers will be briefed and shown to the lifeboats, where they will be isolated from the crew during the inspections, again observing the strict 2 – 3-meter social distancing rules.
- All required documentation, last service reports, fall wire certificates, air bottle certificates, crew maintenance and drill logs, will be communicated to the office before the engineers arrive as part of the pre-engineer mobilisation brief to help limit the time spend onboard.
- All inspection reports will be handwritten and left on board.
- The equipment will be wiped down with de-contamination wipes and or sanitiser. This includes the; door, hatch and locker handles, winch operating handles, isolation switches and proximity / limit switches etc.
- Full functions tests for conventional lifeboats and rescue boats, if not able to be carried out at the time will be done by the vessel at the next suitable opportunity, where video proof will be submitted by the master, and on a satisfactory review a certificate of serviceability will be supplied with Class agreement.
- A confirmation email will be sent to verify the hours on board including start and finish times.
- The engineers will meet with the ships representative to confirm the inspection has been completed, again observing the strict 2 – 3 metres social distancing rules and shown off the vessel.
- All further documentation will be emailed to the vessel as soon as possible.
Survitec employees will also be provided with protection packs wherever they travel. The following packs will contain:
- Face Mask N95 (or equivalent)
- Hand sanitiser
- Soap (if sanitiser is not available)
- Disposable gloves
- Safety goggles
- Tissues
- Sanitiser wipes
- Other PPE identified by the job specific risk assessments
- Other PPE or safety rules as per customer requirements
- Emergency contact numbers
- Survitec travel insurance and contact details
- Up-to-date personal details in case of emergency
- RSA Travel Assistance Mobile App
As a multi-brand inspection provider, we also have the ability to eliminate the need to speak and liaise with multiple organisations. Survitec is approved to inspect all makes and types of lifeboats, davits, LRRS hooks and winches, including rescue boats & davits, liferaft davits and liferaft automatic release hooks. As an authorised and approved IMO 402 (96) multi-brand service provider we are ideally placed to reduce number of personnel required on board for servicing of equipment and are meeting local governmental and WHO advice for social distancing.
To ensure customers can maintain operating their vessels safely and compliantly, many Class Societies and Flag States are extending periods of time for surveying and approvals. These measures have been put in place to ensure smooth operations for their customers and vessels during this time. Vessels have to apply for extension on certification on a case by case basis and may be granted up to 3-month extensions.
For more information on the extra safety measures we are taking at Survitec to help reduce risk, please visit: https://survitecgroup.com/media/news/19-extra-safety-measures-to-help-protect-you-against-covid-19/
For more information on our lifeboat inspection services, please visit: https://survitecgroup.com/services/lifeboat-inspection/.