MERCHANT MARINE CIRCULAR MMC-194

1.  the Panama Maritime Authority has approved the use of the Viking Liferaft Type S30 onboard Panamanian Flag vessels.

2.  The approval by Panama Maritime Authority of this liferaft has been given by taking into consideration what is established on Regulation 20.8.3 of Chapter III SOLAS Convention which indicates the following:

8.3.          An Administration which approves new and novel inflatable liferaft arrangements pursuant to regulation 4 may allow for extended service intervals on the following conditions:

8.3.1. The new and novel liferaft arrangement has proved to maintain the same standard,as required by testing procedure, during extended service intervals.

8.3.2. The liferaft system shall be checked on board by certified personnel according to paragraph 8.1.1.

8.3.3. Service at intervals not exceeding five (5) years shall be carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the Organization.

1.     This Administration considers that the Viking Liferaft S30 provides safety standards and has successfully undergone evaluation and testing in accordance with recommendations of the Convention.

2.     These liferafts have proactive wrapping concept for 30 months packed liferaft which includes inside environment and more ways to monitor the liferaft condition inside the sealed compartment during the installation onboard the ship.

3.     The different types of Viking Liferaft S30 approved to be used onboard Panamanian Flag vessels are:

6 DK + S30	50 DKS + S30	23 DKF + S30
8 DK + S30	100 DKS + S30	16 DKF + S30
10 DK + S30	150 DKS + S30	20 DKF + S30
12 DK + S30		25 DKF + S30
16 DK + S30		35 DKF + S30
20 DK + S30
25 DK + S30
35 DK + S30

4.     In order to fulfill the maintenance and inspection periods, the minimum conditions established by the Panama Maritime Authority for the use of these liferafts are:

1.     The service period for the Viking Liferaft Type S30 must not exceed 30 months.

2.     The liferaft shall be visually  and  technically  inspected  for  the  verification of the tight seal, humidity level and possible leaks of CO2, by one of the Viking certified person, with intervals of not more than 12 months. The inspection can be carried outon board the ship.

3.     A record book of inspection shall be kept on board, in order to provide evidence of the monitoring of the humidity levels and possible leaks of CO2 of all liferafts of this type, by a qualified person.

4.     The Viking Life Saving Equipment A/S Company shall certify all personnel onboard vessels who uses Special Equipment denominated “Viking Liferafts Type S30”, in order to verify all installed equipment and to keep the record book before mentioned.