It has both observer and consultative status at the IMO and close links with the European Commission, playing an active role in developing and monitoring regulations in both bodies.

ILAMA monitors standards of safety equipment to ensure that the intentions of the legislative bodies are maintained in practice and that all certified products, regardless of origin, are uniformly compliant with appropriate standards.

Setting out his priorities following his election at the ILAMA AGM in Gothenburg, Roessland said, 'There are too many accidents occurring because critical parts of life saving appliances, such as the life boat hooks, are either not serviced or are serviced by untrained and unqualified people.

We intend to put the technical strength of ILAMA to work at IMO to ensure that there is a clear and safe international regime for the inspection and maintenance of life saving appliances. There is a very good regime in place for liferafts and we want to get that extended to cover boats and davits.'

MJ Information No: 18508