Servicing stations

Changed
17/12/2024

Service providers or servicing stations are companies that provide support and advice regarding the security and inspection on ships. They must be recognised to this end by the department 'Recognition of Institutions' of the FPS Mobility and Transport.

There are two categories of servicing stations:

  • Companies responsible for the maintenance, thorough examination, repair and testing of inflatable lifejackets and inflatable liferafts. More information can be found in the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) resolution A761(18).
  • Companies responsible for the maintenance, thorough examination, repair and testing of lifeboats (semi-open, enclosed or free-fall), davits and associated infrastructure and cranes. More information can be found in the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) resolutions 402(96) and 404(96).

The department ‘Recognition of Institutions’ provided a list of all recognised servicing stations.

The procedure for recognition as a servicing station

You must first apply for recognition as a servicing station via: Tim.Sleurs@mobilit.fgov.be. An audit is then conducted to check whether your servicing station meets the requirements to be recognised.

Conduct of the audit

You will get more information in advance about the date and conduct of the audit. 
The MSC resolutions list several requirements that servicing stations must meet in order to be recognised. All these criteria are checked off during the initial audit.

Below is a summary of the main components of the audit:

  • ISO9001 quality system
  • technical competences of the technicians 
  • validity of the certification of technicians
  • tool calibration policy
  • complaints and prevention policy
  • training of technicians
  • spare parts management
  • tour of the workshop
  • if possible, a visit on board a ship takes place to evaluate technicians

It is also checked whether administrative records comply with their own requirements and those of the MSC resolutions in practice.

Finally, the department ‘Recognition of Institutions’ draws up a report and, based on it, awards recognition or not. For servicing stations referred to in MSC resolutions 402 and 404, an addendum is added listing the models and brands for which they are certified.

Issue of recognition

A recognition is issued if the audit is positive. It is valid for a period of five years with annual follow-up audits.

When in doubt about meeting the requirements, a servicing station is given temporary recognition.
Full recognition is possible if there is sufficient evidence that the servicing station complies with the regulations.

Annual follow-up audits

Interim audits may be conducted annually to check whether servicing stations continue to comply with the required regulations. If this is not the case, the head of the department ‘Recognition of Institutions’ can withdraw the recognition. Moreover, for the conduct of audits, no distinction is made between the initial audit and the annually recurring audits. All components of the initial audit recur annually.

Withdrawal of recognition

A major deficiency can lead to the withdrawal of recognition. The head of the department ‘Recognition of Institutions’ decides on the withdrawal.