PSC deficiency code 11119: Immersion suits
Area 11 Life-saving appliances
Code 11119 covers the immersion suits carried for the crew, including the rescue boat crew. The inspector wants to know whether each person could get into a suit that fits, keeps the water out and carries a working light. Suits are checked in cabins, at muster stations and wherever the safety plan shows them.
What the inspector looks at
The count against the crew list usually comes first, then a few bags are opened.
- number of suits against persons on board, including the rescue boat crew, in sizes that fit
- extra suits at watch or work stations remote from the main stowage
- zip, seams, face seal, gloves and boots: tears, perished material, a zip that won't run
- light working with its battery in date, whistle attached, retro-reflective tape in place
- monthly inspection records and the date of each suit's last air pressure test
- stowage marked and accessible, donning instructions posted
Common findings
- Immersion suit zip corroded, cannot be closed
- Several immersion suits torn, seams leaking
- Immersion suit light not working, battery expired
- Number of immersion suits less than persons on board
- Immersion suits of one size only, too small for some crew members
- Air pressure test of immersion suits overdue
The rule behind it
SOLAS chapter III, regulation 32 requires a cargo ship to carry an immersion suit of appropriate size for every person on board, plus extra suits at watch or work stations away from the main stowage. A ship other than a bulk carrier that trades constantly in warm climates can be exempted by its flag. Regulation 7 requires a suit for every person assigned to the rescue boat crew or the marine evacuation system party. The LSA Code, chapter II, covers the suit itself. Regulation 20 requires a monthly inspection, with an IMO checklist for crews in MSC/Circ.1047. MSC/Circ.1114 recommends an air pressure test of seams and closures at intervals not exceeding three years, and more often for suits over ten years old.
Action codes you are likely to see
A dead light battery replaced from spares is often marked 10. Torn suits, seized zips or a shortfall that needs delivery usually get 17. An overdue pressure test often gets 16 or 17. Immersion suits are personal life-saving appliances, and absence, insufficient capacity or serious deterioration of those is on the IMO list of detainable deficiencies, so too few usable suits may be treated as a ground for detention (30). See action taken codes.
How to close it
Count suits against the crew list and remote stations, and order the shortfall or larger sizes through the agent. Send damaged or overdue suits to an approved service station and keep its report listing each suit by serial number. Replace light batteries and record it on the monthly checklist. File the delivery note, service reports, photos and updated LSA inventory with the Form B. Related: lifejackets, abandon ship drills and rescue boats.