# Vertex Service

> Marine safety equipment service in the Port of Rotterdam (Vertex Safety B.V.). Technicians inspect, repair,
> test and certify life-saving appliances, fire-fighting systems, breathing apparatus, gas detectors, lifting
> appliances and related equipment on board while the ship is in port. Every certificate carries a QR code that
> anyone can check online.

## Company facts

- Legal entity: Vertex Safety B.V., Abel Tasmanstraat 67, 3165 AM Rotterdam (Albrandswaard), The Netherlands
- Phone: +31 10 890 6567
- E-mail: service@vertexsafety.nl
- Management system: certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001
- Class-approved service supplier (fire-fighting equipment): ABS, Bureau Veritas, ClassNK, DNV, Lloyd's Register, RINA
- Area: the whole Port of Rotterdam and other Dutch and Belgian ports from the Rotterdam base; Europe with our own
  technicians (or technicians from our network where they reach the ship sooner); and, through our service network of
  experienced technicians, the major port hubs of the Americas, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific (for example
  Houston, New York, Santos, Jebel Ali, Port Said, Durban, Mumbai, Singapore, Shanghai and Busan)
- Equipment supply (shop): https://vertexsafety.nl/
- Certificate verification: https://vertexservice.nl/verify/

## Services

- [Liferafts and hydrostatic release units](https://vertexservice.nl/services/liferafts/): Liferaft servicing at an approved service station, HRU testing and replacement, and exchange rafts arranged when the ship cannot wait.
- [Lifeboats, rescue boats and davits](https://vertexservice.nl/services/lifeboats-davits/): Annual thorough examinations of lifeboats, rescue boats, davits and release gear, the five-yearly release gear overhaul and winch proof-load test, and wire renewals.
- [Lifejackets, immersion suits and personal LSA](https://vertexservice.nl/services/personal-lsa/): Inspection of lifejackets, immersion suits, lifebuoys and their lights, air-pressure tests of suits, and replacement of pyrotechnics before they expire.
- [Fixed fire-fighting systems](https://vertexservice.nl/services/fixed-fire-fighting/): CO₂, clean agent, foam, water mist, sprinkler and galley systems: content checks, release and alarm tests, blow-through, and cylinder requalification.
- [Foam analysis and PFOS-free conversion](https://vertexservice.nl/services/pfos-free-foam/): Periodic foam testing, and the full switch to PFOS-free foam: removal, cleaning, refilling and the documents the surveyor will ask for.
- [Portable extinguishers and fire equipment](https://vertexservice.nl/services/portable-fire-equipment/): Annual inspection, recharging and pressure testing of portable and wheeled extinguishers, plus fire hoses, nozzles and fire-fighter's outfits.
- [Fire detection and alarm systems](https://vertexservice.nl/services/fire-detection/): Detector-by-detector testing of fire detection and alarm systems, sample extraction systems, panel checks, fault finding and spares.
- [Breathing apparatus, EEBDs and air quality](https://vertexservice.nl/services/breathing-apparatus/): SCBA and EEBD servicing on a calibrated test bench, cylinder hydrostatic testing and breathing-air quality tests on compressors.
- [Gas detection and calibration](https://vertexservice.nl/services/gas-detection/): Calibration and repair of portable and fixed gas detectors with traceable calibration gas, plus supply of detectors, sensors and gas.
- [Load testing and lifting appliances](https://vertexservice.nl/services/load-testing/): Proof load tests with water bags and certified weights for davits, cranes, gangways and lifting points, with thorough examinations and certificates.
- [Pilot ladders and embarkation ladders](https://vertexservice.nl/services/pilot-ladders/): Inspection and replacement of pilot and embarkation ladders and their rigging, against SOLAS V/23, the 2028 performance standards and ISO 799-1.
- [Medical oxygen and resuscitators](https://vertexservice.nl/services/medical-oxygen/): Inspection, refilling and exchange of medical oxygen sets and resuscitators, and checks of the ship's medical equipment and stores.
- [ODME, UTI and instrument calibration](https://vertexservice.nl/services/instruments-calibration/): Calibration checks and service of ODME and 15 ppm bilge alarms, UTI and sounding tapes, thermal cameras, pressure gauges and other measuring instruments.
- [Drug and alcohol testing equipment](https://vertexservice.nl/services/drug-alcohol-testing/): Breathalyser calibration and on-board drug and alcohol test kits that match the policy your charterers and vetting inspectors check.
- [Radio, GMDSS and navigation equipment](https://vertexservice.nl/services/radio-navigation/): EPIRB and SART checks, GMDSS handheld radios, AIS annual tests, magnetic compass adjustment and preparation for the annual radio survey.
- [Underwater inspection and hull cleaning](https://vertexservice.nl/services/underwater-inspection/): In-water surveys with video for class and flag, hull cleaning, propeller polishing and small underwater repairs, coordinated while the ship is in port.
- [Harnesses and fall protection equipment](https://vertexservice.nl/services/fall-protection/): Periodic examination of harnesses, lanyards, fall arresters and self-retracting lifelines, with a tag and a record for every unit.
- [Crew training and familiarisation](https://vertexservice.nl/services/crew-training/): Practical sessions on board while our technicians are there anyway: breathing apparatus, gas detectors, lifeboat release gear and enclosed space entry.

## Technical information

- [Gas detectors for enclosed space entry: SOLAS XI-1/7, calibration and bump tests](https://vertexservice.nl/technical/enclosed-space-gas-detectors/): SOLAS regulation XI-1/7, in force since 1 July 2016, requires ships to carry a portable atmosphere testing instrument that measures at least oxygen, flammable gases or vapours, hydrogen sulphide and carbon monoxide before anyone enters an enclosed space, with suitable means to calibrate it. SOLAS sets no calibration interval: the maker's instructions apply, typically every six months or more often, with a bump test before use. The revised entry recommendations, MSC.581(110) of June 2025, add carbon dioxide and ask for at least two sets of detection equipment.
- [Fixed CO₂ systems: what is checked monthly, every two, five, ten and twenty years](https://vertexservice.nl/technical/fixed-co2-system-maintenance/): Fixed CO₂ systems are maintained to MSC.1/Circ.1318/Rev.1 (2021) under SOLAS II-2/14: monthly and annual checks that competent crew can carry out, a content check of the cylinders and a blow-through of the piping every two years (on cargo ships at the intermediate, periodical and renewal surveys), an internal inspection of the control valves every five years, flexible hoses renewed within ten years, and hydrostatic testing of high-pressure cylinders: at least 10 % at ten years, all of them by the twentieth year and every ten years after that.
- [Lifeboats, davits and release gear: what MSC.402(96) requires](https://vertexservice.nl/technical/lifeboat-davit-release-gear-msc-402/): Since 1 January 2020, SOLAS III/20.11 makes Resolution MSC.402(96) mandatory. The annual thorough examination and operational test of lifeboats, rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear, the five-yearly release gear overhaul and the five-yearly winch brake proof-load test must be done by certified technicians of a service provider authorised by the flag Administration. Weekly and monthly checks stay with the crew. Since 1 January 2026 the annual examination also covers the boat's ventilation system.
- [Liferafts and HRUs: service intervals, extensions and approved stations](https://vertexservice.nl/technical/liferaft-hru-service-intervals/): SOLAS III/20.8 requires inflatable liferafts to be serviced at an approved service station at least every 12 months; the flag may allow 17 months only where servicing is impracticable. Liferafts accepted for an extended service interval under MSC.1/Circ.1328 may go up to 30 months in their first 10 years, with an annual on-board inspection by maker-certified staff. Serviceable HRUs follow the same 12-month rule (III/20.9); disposable HRUs are replaced by the expiry date marked on them.
- [PFOS foam ban on ships: what to do before your next survey](https://vertexservice.nl/technical/pfos-foam-ban/): Since 1 January 2026, SOLAS regulation II-2/10.11 (Res. MSC.532(107)) bans fire-extinguishing media containing PFOS, meaning more than 10 mg/kg. Ships with a keel laid on or after that date may not use or store it; existing ships must be clear of it by their first annual, periodical or renewal survey on or after 1 January 2026, with removed foam landed ashore. Proof is a batch-specific maker's declaration or a laboratory report.
- [Pilot ladders: the new SOLAS V/23 rules from 2028](https://vertexservice.nl/technical/pilot-ladder-rules-2028/): A new SOLAS regulation V/23 (Res. MSC.572(110)) and mandatory performance standards (Res. MSC.576(110)) apply from 1 January 2028. From that date every ship must follow the new inspection, maintenance and replacement rules: a responsible officer inspects before and after each use and every three months, and ladders and manropes leave service 36 months after manufacture or 30 months after first use, whichever comes first. Existing installations on SOLAS ships must meet the design and installation rules by the first survey on or after 1 January 2029.

## Other pages

- [All services and service intervals](https://vertexservice.nl/services/): every service with its interval and rule basis
- [Platform](https://vertexservice.nl/platform/): customer portal, digital certificates with QR codes, fleet overview
- [Ports](https://vertexservice.nl/ports/): where we work, at home and abroad
- [About](https://vertexservice.nl/about/): company, approvals and how jobs are run
- [Request service](https://vertexservice.nl/request-service/): send vessel, port and ETA for a quote
- [Contact](https://vertexservice.nl/contact/)

## Optional

- [Full service details](https://vertexservice.nl/llms-full.txt): scope, intervals, rule references and FAQ for every service