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Flag, Class and Port State ControlLesson 3 of 6

Flag rules compared: ten registries side by side

Which flags approve lifeboat service firms themselves, which accept class approval, and which want a surveyor at the five-yearly test.

16 minutes · For signed-up learners, free · Rules checked 20 October 2026 · Reviewed by the Lifeboat Inspections technical team

Drawing of five flags above a ship's stern

In plain words

Every flag applies the same IMO rule, MSC.402(96). But the rule leaves some choices to each flag, and the flags have chosen differently.

The biggest difference is who approves the service firm. Some flags insist on their own approval, with their own certificate and fee. Others accept a firm approved by a class society acting for them. A firm that is fine for a ship under one flag may not be allowed on a sister ship under another.

The second difference is who must watch the five-yearly test. Some flags want a class surveyor there every time. The UK wants its own surveyor or someone it appoints.

Flags also add their own rules on falls, wire grips, postponements and records. This lesson puts ten common flags side by side. Notices change, so treat every line as “as of October 2026” and open the current notice before planning.

Key points

  • MSC.402(96) lets each flag authorise providers itself or accept providers authorised by other flags or their Recognized Organizations (MSC.402(96) §7.4.3).
  • As of October 2026, Panama, Liberia and the Bahamas require their own authorisation of lifeboat service providers (MMC-258; SAF-005 §4.2; BMA MN 82 §5.2).
  • Liberia requires the five-yearly work “in the presence of a class surveyor no matter who conducts it” (SAF-005 §4.1.4).
  • The Marshall Islands requires five-yearly work “in attendance of RO Surveyor” (MN 2-011-37 §8.2.1).
  • The UK accepts the OEM, OEM-approved firms and firms authorised by a UK-authorised RO, and has the five-yearly dynamic test witnessed by the MCA or its appointee (MGN 555 Amendment 1; MGN 560 Amendment 2).
  • Liberia and the Marshall Islands do not accept bulldog grips on primary load-bearing wire terminations (SAF-005 §5.3; MN 2-011-37 §2.3).

Continue this lesson free

The full lesson, the interactive tool “Compare flag requirements” and the check are open to signed-up learners. It's free, takes a minute, and opens every lesson in all three courses.

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Sources

  1. Requirements for maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gearIMO resolution MSC.402(96), 19 May 2016
  2. Authorized service providers for maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gearPanama Merchant Marine Circular MMC-258, V.04, May 2026
  3. Survival Craft, Rescue Boat and Launching Appliances – Testing, Servicing and MaintenanceLiberia Marine Notice SAF-005, Rev. 07/26
  4. Life-saving Appliances and SystemsRepublic of the Marshall Islands Marine Notice 2-011-37, Rev. Dec/2025
  5. Shipboard Equipment and Service Provider ApprovalsRepublic of the Marshall Islands Technical Circular 1, Rev.8, 28 November 2025
  6. Lifeboat SafetyBahamas Maritime Authority Marine Notice 82, v1.1, 30 October 2023
  7. MGN 555 (M) Amendment 1: authorisation of service providersUK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, 27 March 2020
  8. MGN 560 (M+F) Amendment 2: requirements for life-saving appliancesUK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, 10 December 2021
  9. Shipping Circular No. 8 of 2026: resolutions adopted by MSC 111Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, 27 August 2026
  10. Shipping Circular No. 11 of 2019: implementation of MSC.402(96) (copy hosted by Lloyd's Register)Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, 20 November 2019
  11. Technical Notice SLS.2 Rev.2: periodic servicing of lifeboats, liferafts and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gearTransport Malta, 18 March 2020
  12. MSIN No. 45/2024: amendments to MSC.402(96)Hong Kong Marine Department, 2 December 2024
  13. M.S. Notice 01 of 2020: requirements for maintenance, thorough examination, operational testing, overhaul and repair of lifeboats (copy hosted by Lloyd's Register)Directorate General of Shipping, India, 6 January 2020
  14. DGS M.S. Notice 01 of 2020 on lifeboat service providersIndian Register of Shipping Technical Circular 002/2020, 8 January 2020
  15. NVIC 03-19: guidance on MSC.402(96)US Coast Guard, November 2019
  16. LSA service suppliers, flag acceptance tableLloyd's Register, accessed 20 October 2026

Free awareness training. Lifeboat Inspections is not authorised to issue training certificates, so none is given, and this course is not a qualification. It doesn't replace STCW survival craft training, manufacturer training or MSC.402(96) technician certification. The manufacturer's manual and your flag's rules always come first.