ISO 23678-2:2022

Overview

ISO 23678-2:2022 - “Ships and marine technology - Service personnel … Part 2: Service personnel initial training” specifies a uniform, safe and auditable approach to initial training and assessment for technicians who maintain, thoroughly examine, operationally test, overhaul and repair lifeboats, rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear. The standard supports the IMO Requirements (MSC.402(96)) and provides the information needed for manufacturers, authorized service providers (ASPs) and competent authorities to grant authorization, evaluate and audit training programmes.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and objective: Defines the aim of establishing and maintaining required competencies for service technicians and providing a consistent training framework.
• Candidate prerequisites and assessment: Sets expectations for candidate entry criteria and specifies performance assessment methods for initial certification.
• Modular training programme: Structured into core modules including:
  • Module 1 - Service technician general industry knowledge (manufacturer/ASP operations, applicable regulations, lifeboat and rescue boat types, causes of accidents, inspection/maintenance/overhaul procedures)
  • Module 2 - Basic safety at work (health & safety legislation, workplace hazards, lifesaving rules, practical safety exercises)
  • Module 3 - Risk management (risk assessment, risk intervention systems, practical exercises)
• Learning outcomes: Theory and practical outcomes are specified to ensure technicians can perform tasks unsupervised and in line with industry expectations.
• Refresher training: Guidance for ongoing competence through refresher modules and assessment (initial training focused but intended to be used with refresher guidance).
• Equipment coverage: Applicable to a broad range of craft and systems, including single/twin fall enclosed lifeboats, free-fall lifeboats, rescue boats (inflatable, rigid, semi-rigid, fast rescue boats); propulsion types (inboard diesel, outboard, propeller, jet); diverse davit, winch and hook release types.

Practical applications and users

• Who uses it: Manufacturers, Authorized Service Providers (ASPs), maritime training organisations, shipowners/operators, port and flag State inspectors, and auditors overseeing compliance with IMO requirements.
• Practical value:
  • Standardises initial service technician training across the maritime industry.
  • Provides an auditable competency framework to justify authorization of service personnel.
  • Reduces risk by ensuring trained technicians perform maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair correctly and safely.
  • Supports crew confidence and compliance with SOLAS/IMO maintenance expectations.

Related standards

• Use in conjunction with ISO 23678-1, ISO 23678-3 and ISO 23678-4 for a complete competency and service framework across documentation, assessment and specific service technician training elements.

Keywords: ISO 23678-2:2022, service personnel initial training, lifeboat maintenance, rescue boat inspection, launching appliances, release gear, authorized service provider, IMO Requirements, maritime safety.