ISO 23678-4:2022

Overview

ISO 23678-4:2022 defines the Level 2 in-field competence assessment for service personnel who perform maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, their launching appliances and release gear. The standard establishes a uniform, safe and auditable approach to in-field competence, supporting the IMO Requirements (MSC.402(96)) and enabling manufacturers and authorized service providers to certify technicians for unsupervised field work.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope of competence: Initial and ongoing Level 2 in-field assessments for personnel certified by manufacturers or authorized service providers.
• Competence framework: Defines what practitioners are expected to do, the underpinning knowledge and skills, how they demonstrate competence, and assessment methods.
• Core competence units:
  • Unit 1 - Work, health and safety while conducting onboard activities (communication, documentation, safety checks, equipment for safe work)
  • Unit 2 - Annual inspection, maintenance, thorough examination and operational tests (davit, winch, lifeboat and rescue boat annual tasks, release gear)
  • Unit 3 - Five-year overhaul, thorough examination and operational overload tests (launching appliance overhaul, lifeboat/rescue boat overhaul, release gear overhaul and five-year overload testing)
• Equipment and systems covered: wide range of survival craft (single/twin fall totally enclosed lifeboats, freefall lifeboats, partially enclosed, rigid/inflatable rescue boats, fast rescue boats), propulsion types (inboard diesel, outboard, propeller and jet drives), davit types (gravity, hydraulic, telescopic, A-frame, stored power systems), winches (twin/single drum, gravity-lowering, hydraulic/electric hoisting) and hook release systems (on-load, off-load, automatic, hydraulic freefall).
• Supporting materials: assessor checklists, example certificates and annex lists of equipment covered.

Practical applications

• Ensures consistent and auditable in-field competence for technicians performing critical lifesaving appliance work.
• Supports shipowners, ship managers and port state authorities in meeting IMO Requirements for maintenance and testing of survival craft and launching systems.
• Enables authorized service providers and manufacturers to assess, certify and audit technicians for annual and five-year maintenance cycles, overhauls and operational overload testing.
• Helps reduce risk, improve safety and maintain crew confidence through standardized competence assessment and documentation.

Who should use this standard

• Service technicians and level 2 field assessors
• Manufacturers of lifeboats, davits, winches and release gear
• Authorized service providers and training organizations
• Ship operators, ship managers and regulatory/port state inspectors
• Auditors involved in conformity assessment against IMO requirements

Related standards

• ISO 23678-1 - General requirements for training providers
• ISO 23678-2 - Initial training (development process)
• ISO 23678-3 - Level 1 technical training
• IMO Resolution MSC.402(96) - Requirements for maintenance and testing of lifeboats, launching appliances and release gear

Keywords: ISO 23678-4:2022, lifeboats, rescue boats, launching appliances, release gear, level 2 in-field competence, maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul, davits, winches, release systems, IMO requirements.