The MCA has published Marine Guidance Note (MGN) 714 (M+F) to confirm the UK’s adoption of recent amendments to the International Life-Saving Appliances (LSA) Code, introducing updated safety standards for life-saving equipment under SOLAS. The changes cover areas such as improved ventilation for enclosed lifeboats, revised lifejacket performance requirements, enhanced standards for lifeboat and rescue boat release mechanisms, and specified safe lowering speeds for launching appliances, along with related testing and inspection updates.
These amendments become mandatory from 1 January 2026, with some requirements applying from later dates.
Source: MCA.