Safety Issue

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau advises that all Recognized Organizations and the International Association of Classification Societies should consider the safety implications when certifying simulation systems that are subject to forces that have not been calculated. Further, the materials and components used to make up the simulation system should be assessed for suitability and safety under all intended conditions of use.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that Bureau Veritas takes safety action to address the lack of procedures governing the approval and certification process, so that all aspects of a piece of equipment’s use is considered prior to certifying.

Bureau Veritas (BV) advised the ATSB that class requirements regarding freefall lifeboats and simulation systems had tightened.

BV also advised the ATSB of a submission to IMO review of MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1: MEASURES TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS WITH LIFEBOATS (Superseded by MSC.1/Circ.1578/Annex2).

Advice included BV design requirements (general)

BV document TTE_311 EC Type-Examination

In addition to other items, documentation required includes a list of the requirements and testing standards which are applicable to the marine equipment concerned, together with a description of the solutions adopted to meet those requirements, and an analysis and assessment of the risk(s)

‘Technical documentation required shall contain, wherever applicable, the following elements:

• a general description of the marine equipment;
• conceptual design and manufacturing drawings and schemes of components, subassemblies, circuits, etc.;
• descriptions and explanations necessary for the understanding of those drawings and schemes and of the operation of the marine equipment (like manuals for installation, use and maintenance)
• results of design calculations made, examinations carried out, etc.
• test reports.’