Article 26

     1. With a view to ensuring the mutual recognition of arrangements
made by Members which have ratified this Convention for  the  testing,
thorough   examination,   inspection   and  certification  of  lifting
appliances and items of loose gear forming part of a ship`s  equipment
and of the records relating thereto -
     (a) the competent authority of each Member which has ratified the
Convention  shall  appoint or otherwise recognise competent persons or
national or international organisations  to  carry  out  tests  and/or
thorough  examinations  and  related functions,  under conditions that
ensure that the continuance of appointment or recognition depends upon
satisfactory performance;
     (b) Members which have ratified the Convention  shall  accept  or
recognise   those   appointed  or  otherwise  recognised  pursuant  to
subparagraph (a) of this paragraph,  or shall  enter  into  reciprocal
arrangements with regard to such acceptance or recognition;  in either
case,  acceptance or recognition shall be under conditions  that  make
their continuance dependent upon satisfactory performance.
     2. No lifting  appliance,  loose  gear  or  other  cargo-handling
appliances shall be used if -
     (a) the competent authority is not satisfied by  reference  to  a
certificate  of test or examination or to an authenticated record,  as
the case may be,  that the necessary test,  examination or  inspection
has  been  carried  out  in  accordance  with  the  provisions of this
Convention; or
     (b) in the view of the competent authority, the appliance or gear
is not safe for use.
     3. Paragraph  2  of  this  Article  shall not be so applied as to
cause  delay  in  loading  or  unloading  a   ship   where   equipment
satisfactory to the competent authority is used.