UK Guidance on the approval of radar reflectors for liferafts, lifeboats and rescue boats: UK25/L002
UK approved recommendation 1/10/25 on the testing of radar reflector for liferafts, lifeboats and rescue boats under category UK/1.33 and UK/4.39
Question
Does a radar reflector supplied within an approved liferaft, lifeboat or rescue boat need to be UK approved separately?
Recommendation
Yes, a radar reflector that is supplied as part of the equipment within a liferaft, lifeboat or rescue boat, is required to be UK approved by being tested and certificated to the following standards, as detailed in MSN 1874 as amended:
EN ISO 8729:1998, IEC 60945:2002 including IEC 60945corr.1:2008
or
ISO 8729-1:2010, EN 60945:2002 including IEC 60945 corr.1:2008
or
ISO 8729-1:2010, IEC 60945:2002 including IEC 60945 corr.1:2008
It is noted that significant stock of radar reflectors that may not be approved to the above standard may exist in the marketplace, and considering this, the MCA will allow existing radar reflectors to continue to be used until 30th January 2027. After this date all radar reflectors placed as equipment within a liferaft, lifeboat or rescue boat must comply with the required standards and be UK approved by a UK Approved body.
If a UK Approved body is approving a liferaft, lifeboat or rescue boat that contains a radar reflector that is not UK approved, the Approved body must annotate the certificate accordingly and advise the MCA of the non-compliance.
Please also see ‘Approved Recommendation UK/24L002’ - UK guidance on approving lifeboats with non-UK approved internal components.
References:
- MSN 1874 as amended
- The Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2016 as amended
Items affected:
- UK/4.39
- UK/1.33
More information
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Bay 2/21
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG
Telephone: +44 (0) 203 817 2000
Email: MEQA@mcga.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/mca