COURSE OVERVIEW:

Marine Safety Systems and Equipment Maintenance for Ship Officers is a technical program designed to ensure that the primary life-saving and fire-fighting assets of a vessel are always in a state of immediate readiness. This course examines the rigorous inspection and maintenance regimes mandated by the SOLAS Convention and the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code. It provides a technical framework for ship officers to transition from basic compliance to a proactive reliability model, ensuring that critical systems function flawlessly during an emergency.

The scope of this training involves the detailed study of fixed fire-extinguishing systems, including CO2, high-expansion foam, and water mist technologies. Participants will explore the mechanical and hydraulic components of lifeboats, davits, and launching appliances, focusing on the prevention of common failure points such as corrosion of release hooks or winch brake degradation. The program emphasizes the role of the Safety Officer in managing the ship’s safety equipment register and coordinating with third-party service providers for annual certifications.

Coverage includes the maintenance of personal protective equipment, such as Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and immersion suits, as well as the testing of emergency communication and detection systems. The course addresses the legal and safety implications of "maintenance-induced failures" and provides strategies for effective troubleshooting of alarm panels and gas detection sensors. By focusing on technical proficiency, this course equips ship officers with the expertise needed to safeguard the crew, the vessel, and the cargo through superior equipment care.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

After completion of this course, the participants will be able to:

1. Identify the mandatory maintenance requirements under SOLAS Chapter II-2 and III.
2. Manage the periodic inspection and testing of fixed fire-fighting systems.
3. Execute maintenance procedures for lifeboat engines and launching davits.
4. Perform functional tests on smoke, heat, and flame detection systems.
5. Manage the servicing and air quality testing of SCBA cylinders.
6. Inspect and maintain immersion suits and thermal protective aids.
7. Oversee the testing of the emergency fire pump and international shore connection.
8. Maintain accurate and legally compliant safety equipment records and logs.
9. Identify signs of structural fatigue or corrosion in safety hardware.
10. Coordinate annual and five-yearly inspections with certified service agents.
11. Implement a robust "Permit to Work" system for safety equipment repairs.
12. Troubleshoot faults in the general alarm and emergency lighting systems.
13. Lead the onboard safety committee in identifying equipment upgrade needs.

TARGET AUDIENCE:  

Deck and Engine Officers, Safety Officers, Ship Superintendents, and DPA staff.

TRAINING COURSE METHODOLOGY:

A highly interactive combination of lectures, discussion sessions, and case studies will be employed to maximise the transfer of information, knowledge, and experience. The course will be intensive, practical, and highly interactive. The sessions will start by raising the most relevant questions and motivating everybody to find the right answers. The attendants will also be encouraged to raise more of their questions and to share in developing the right answers using their analysis and experience. There will also be some indoor experiential activities to enhance the learning experience. Course material will be provided in PowerPoint, with necessary animations, learning videos, and general discussions.

The course participants shall be evaluated before, during, and at the end of the course.

COURSE CERTIFICATE:

National Consultant Centre for Training LLC (NCC) will issue an Attendance Certificate to all participants completing a minimum of 80% of the total attendance time requirement.