LSA Inspection Guide

Inspection of Lifeboat
Davits and Release Gear
N&P LSA Inspection Guide

N&P Maritime- und Industrietechnik GmbH is a family operated mari-

time service provider and trading company with headquarters at Schwa-
newede/Germany, and branch offices at Winsen/Germany, Shanghai/PRC,
Mumbai/India and service stations in several other countries. Main activities
are:

_Ship Safety (worldwide, class certified network for inspections and re-
pairs of life saving appliances, and class certified ultrasonic wall thickness
measurements)
_Ship Repair and new ship building supervision (active in all major
ports/shipyards in China)
_Ship Supplies (general ship supplies and initial ship supplies in China,
worldwide sales of class certified container lashing equipment and ships
spare parts)

This guide is intended to provide nautical/technical departments, and the

management of sea going vessels with an in-depth overview about the
scope of SOLAS regulated inspections of lifesaving appliances.

Whilst every care has been taken when compiling the information con-
tained in this guide, N&P Maritime- und Industrietechnik GmbH cannot be
held responsible in any event for its contents. SOLAS and other flag state
and/or class regulations always prevail.

Subject to availability, extra copies may be ordered free of charge to ship-

owners/shipmanagers, and training/education facilities with:

N&P Ship Safety

Danziger Str. 11
D-28790 Schwanewede/Germany
Phone: +49-4209-91 88 0
Email: mail@npmarine.com
www.npmarine.com

Copyright by N&P Maritime- und Industrietechnik GmbH, 2009

André Herrmann
Contents

01 N&P Lifeboat Service___________________________________________ 01

02 Measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats__________________ 02

03 N&P Inspection Plan_ __________________________________________ 03

04 Inspection of Lifebaots_________________________________________ 04

05 Inspection of Davits (hinged gravity)___________________________ 10

06 Inspection of Free Fall Boats___________________________________ 13

07 Inspection of Rescue Boats_ ___________________________________ 15

08 Inspection of Rescue Boat Davits_______________________________ 16

09 FAQ´s__________________________________________________________ 20

10 SOLAS MSC1206________________________________________________ 23
01 N&P Lifeboat Service

With below information, N&P Maritime- und Industrietechnik GmbH would

like to introduce the scope of work which is necessary for the annual in-
spection of the life saving appliances.
The service is based on the SOLAS MSC 1206 (26 May 2006) and shall ensure
the safety of lifeboats and davits and assure the full and safe functioning
of these.

This standard procedure has to be performed every year by a professionally

trained service company.
We have gathered our experiences through many inspections and herewith
offer information on how the inspection will take place and how you can
support and assure safety on board.

It is the main reason of these inspections to assure the safety of all persons
on board and to avoid accidents during drills, emergencies and mainte-
nance.

This procedure applies to MSC.1/Circ.1206


02 “MEASURES TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS WITH LIFEBOATS”

Please be sure that all parties involved in this procedure shall do their ut-
most possible to prevent accidents, which usually happen due to following
facts:

2.1 Failure of on-load release mechanism;

2.2 Inadvertent operation of on-load release mechanism;
2.3 Inadequate maintenance of lifeboats, davits and launching
equipment;
2.4 Communication failures;
2.5 Lack of familiarity with lifeboats, davits, equipment and associated
controls;
2.6. Unsafe practices during lifeboat drills and inspections; and
2.7 Design faults other than on-load release mechanisms.

In order to avoid before mentioned dangers, we kindly ask for the full sup-
port of all involved parties by:

_Supply of assistance by trained crew members

_Support in case any help for securing shall be needed
_Keeping an eye on safety at all times to assure no involved and /or unin-
volved person can be harmed (e.g. somebody standing in slewing area of
davits and/or below life/rescue boats)
_Telling known problems with the equipment before hand to avoid any
accidents due to known malfunctions or damaged parts

Always remember, the annual and 5-year inspection is for your

own safety in case of an emergency.

Also during voyages:

In case of any problems with your life saving equipment, always
consult a professional service company.


03 N&P Inspection Plan

Now here is how we will perform the inspection:

For the proof of service and to assure the condition at the present mo-
ment, our technicians will document the inspection by means of cheklists
and with photos. In case needed, we can send these to you.
Please be aware of below steps, which our technicians will perform:

3.1 After boarding our technicians will contact the master or person in
charge for the life saving appliances.
3.2 The technician will ask for support of one or two crew members.
3.3 A short explanation of how the inspection will be performed will be
given to the person(s) in charge
3.4 After checking the on board manuals of the davits and life-/rescue
boats the technician will start with the visual safety inspection which
begins with:
3.4.1 Safety check if all hooks, davit arms, counter weights and further
equipment are in secured position


04 Inspection of lifeboat

4.1 Visual inspection of the outside of the lifeboat will take place (hull,
propeller, cooler pipes, windows, hatches etc.)


4.2 A further visual check of the davit will be made to ensure the secured
position of the lifeboat (check for cracks, leaks, broken parts, secure
fit of securing items)
4.3 Inside check of the lifeboat (check for cracks, function of battery,
lights, seatbelts etc.)

4.4 Check of the maneuvering system


4.5 Check of the engine system – inspection of bolts, oil, screws and
function of engine (engine will be started and kept running for
min. 2 minutes – max 5 minutes)


4.6 With support of the crew, the boat shall be secured with hanging
off pendants or chain blocks (min. strength depending on boat
weight – but usually no less than 3 to capacity per chain block).
The boat shall be lowered to water if possible to test the function of
the releasehooks. Should this not be possible, the boat shall be secu-
red tightly with chainblocks or boatmaker hanging off pendants.

IT MUST BE ASSURED THAT THE BOAT IS FULLY SECURED BY THE

CHAIN BLOCKS OR THE HANGING OFF PENDANANTS, SO THAT THE
HOOKS CAN BE OPENED WITHOUT DANGER!!


4.7 After securing, the hooks shall be checked for damages dirt/rust shall
be removed
4.8 Check if all moving parts are movable
4.9 Check if tolerances are in limits
4.10 In case necessary, grease movable parts
4.11 Open the hook system (hinged gravity boats – check if front and aft
hook open simultaneously)


4.12 In case necessary adjust hook release time
4.13 Close hooks and assure safe position of the handle unit and the
hooks.

DOUBLE CHECK IF HOOKS ARE FIRMLY CLOSED!

4.14 When testing the davit and the boat is being lowered into the water,
secure the boat with provided hanging off pendants to avoid drifting.
4.15 Open the hooks
4.16 Close the hooks firmly and reset the handle unit to safe position
4.17 Lift the boat approx. 50 cm above waterlevel
4.18 Recheck if hooks are firmly closed and in safe position!
4.19 Recover the boat (additionally keep hanging off pendants applied as
safety feature!)


05 Inspection of davits (hinged gravity)

5.1 Check if all falls have correct diameter (accord. to manufacturer´s cer-
tificates/manual)
5.2 Check falls for damages
5.3 Inspect winch brake system (open brake, check for tolerances, da-
mages, cracks in brake discs, leakages

10
5.4 Close brake
5.5 Check gearbox for oil and damages.

5.6 Brief all involved persons of procedure of empty boat load test

11
 ASSURE NO BARGES, PERSONS OR FURTHER OBJECTS ARE BE-
LOW THE BOAT BEFORE LOWERING!

5.7 Test davit brake function with empty boat (lower boat to deck
level, apply brake – test brake three times after lowering has rea-
ched max. speed)
5.8 Recover and secure boat and davit

12
5.9 Double check secure fit of all securing items on davits and boat
5.10 Open brake again and check for damage
5.11 Check overall condition of davit again for stress damages

06 Inspection of free fall boats

6.1 Follow procedures 6 to 7.5

6.2 Secure the free fall boat with the multifunctional crane or with the
recovery straps of the free fall davit (Hoisting traverse to hook with
sheave unit).

IT MUST BE ASSURED THE BOAT IS FULLY SECURED BY THE CRANE OR

THE RECOVERY STRAPS OF THE FREE FALL DAVIT, SO THAT THE HOOK
CAN BE OPENED WITHOUT DANGER!!

13
6.3 After securing, the hook shall be checked for damage, dirt/rust shall
be removed
6.4 Check if all moving parts are movable
6.5 Check if tolerances are in limits
6.6 Cn case necessary, grease movable parts
6.7 Open the hook system and check if fully open

6.8 Close hook

(with hydraulic systems, check if pins are moving, if pressure is apply-
ing and if reset is working and check for leakages)

CLOSED

14
07 Inspection of rescue boat

7.1 Follow steps 6 to 7.4

7.2 If possible run the engine shortly (no longer than a few seconds – risk
of overheating!)
7.3 Check if the fast release hook is functioning correctly
7.4 Remove dirt and assure good greasing

15
08 Inspection of rescue boat davit

8.1 Check the overall condition of the davit

8.2 Make sure the rescue boat is in secured position

16
8.3 Open the davit brake and check for damages, dirt or rust, and close
afterwards.

8.4 Check tolerances

8.5 Check for leakages on the hydraulic system

17
8.6 Check pressure on accumulator
8.7 Check the hydraulic oil
8.8 Check Gearbox and oil

8.9 Check if electric is working

18
8.10 Close the brake and brief all involved persons of the empty load test
8.11 Start empty load test by slewing out the davit and lowering the boat
to decklevel
8.12 Check limit switches for function

8.13 Abruptly apply the brake – repeat 2 times

8.14 Recover and secure the rescue boat
8.15 Check pressure of accumulator and check if it automatically refills
8.16 Open the brake again and check for damage
8.17 Close the brake

Finally, after the inspection, our technicians will issue a certificate

incl. checklists, which state the condition of the checked equip-
ment. We kindly ask the master of the vessel to check these and
to sign and stamp the last pages.

19
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

How long does the inspection take?

Usually the inspection takes between four and eight hours – de-
pending on the condition of the equipment, weather and port
regulations

What if the port authorities do not allow

the lowering of boats on the shore side or
even both sides?
In case the port authorities deny any moving of the shore side davits, it is
best to talk with the classification/ or flag state representative and ask if
it is possible to lower the shore side boat as soon as possible on the next
anchorage or in the next port. It might be necessary to document this with
pictures. Depending on the classification- and/or flag state representative it
might be necessary for them to be present for the second test too.

What if the service company is not autho-

rized from the manufacturer of the davits
or boats?
Please consult the N&P or West Marine sales personnel for advice on flag
state‘s regulation. Some flag states have to issue written approval to allow
independent service providers other than maker trained service station

What happens if my boat(s) and/or davit(s)

are not “fit for operation”?
Depending on the damage or malfunction of the boat or davit,
the damage must be repaired as soon as possible. If serious malfunction is
given and it is not possible to use the life- and/or rescue boat, the malfunc-
tion/damage must be repaired before the vessel is leaving the port.
Our technicians are not allowed to issue a statement of fitness for not cor-
rectly functioning boats or davits.

In which time period can I order the inspec-

tion?
The inspection certificates (“Statement of fitness”) are valid for
one year. The next inspection can be performed earliest 4 weeks before
due date and shall not be performed later than 4 weeks after the due date.
Should the vessel not be able to order a service in this time (e.g. due to the
schedule or unavailability of a service company), the flag state and classifi-
cation must be informed, so that a solution can be offered by these.

20
 Must the classification/flag state attend
the inspection?
If the service company is authorized by the manufacturers, the
classification/flag state representative must not attend the inspection.
Should the service company not be authorized for both manufacturers,
the classification must attend the inspection.
Should it be the 5-year inspection, the classification must always attend the
inspection, no matter if the company is fully authorized or not.

Must the service station be accepted by

the flag state?
In many cases the flag states have passed the responsibility of ser-
vicing the life saving equipment to the classification companies. In so far
the classification must accept the service company. In some cases the flag
state must accept the service company directly. In these cases a “letter of
exemption” will be needed. This has to be applied for before the service
is performed, by contacting the flag state in advance through the vessels
owner company.

Must the crew attend the inspection?

It is always better to have the responsible crew members to at-
tend the inspection. Through this it is always assured that fullest
safety is given and that the crew members pass on known problems of the
equipment.

What can we do to assure the full function

of the life saving appliances between the
services?
First it is most important to always keep an eye on the condition of the
davits, hook systems and life- rescue boats. In case any damage is noted,
it shall be reported directly and – depending on the damage – must be
assured that the damage shall be repaired as soon as possible.
If possible, always use a qualified service company for the repair to assure
the safe function of all parts after the repair.

Furthermore, always make sure the hooks and all moving parts are well
greased to avoid corrosion.
Do not paint movable parts on the hooks or davits. It is often seen that
hooks are stuck due to several layers of paint or because of lack of grea-
sing.

If the boat will be lowered to water during regular drills, always assure that
the hook systems are in good condition. Open and close the hooks a few

21
times, look closely –when open – if there is any paint or dirt inside and
check if all parts are in good condition.

In case there are any problems with the equipment, always consult a qua-
lified service company to help solve the problem. Do not make any mo-
difications on the equipment unless allowed so by the manufacturer and
classification/flag state.
Further more never apply rough forces to the brake system. In case you
notice the brake is not working properly, always contact professional ser-
vice stations or the manufacturer! You cannot take the risk to damage one
of the most important safety features of your life saving equipment!

For any further questions, do not hesitate to ask our technicians or contact
us:

N&P Maritime- und Industrietechnik GmbH

Danziger Strasse 11
28790 Schwanewede / Germany

Tel.: +49 4209 91 88 0

Fax: +49 4209 91 88 11
Email: mail@npmarine.com

22
SOLAS MSC 1206

Below please find the original version of SOLAS MSC 1206 (May 26, 2006) for
your further reference:

INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION

4 ALBERT EMBANKMENT
LONDON SE1 7SR
Telephone: 020 7587 3152
Fax: 020 7587 3210
IMO
E
Ref. T4/4.01 MSC.1/Circ.1206

MEASURES TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS WITH LIFEBOATS

1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its eighty-first session 10 to 19 May

2006, recalled that at its seventy-fifth session (15 to 24 May 2002), it had
considered the issue of the unacceptably high number of accidents with
lifeboats in which crew were being injured, sometimes fatally, while partici-
pating in lifeboat drills and/or inspections, and noted that most accidents
fell under the following categories:

1. failure of on-load release mechanism;

2. inadvertent operation of on-load release mechanism;
3. inadequate maintenance of lifeboats, davits and launching
equipment;
4. communication failures;
5. lack of familiarity with lifeboats, davits, equipment and associated
controls;
6. unsafe practices during lifeboat drills and inspections; and
7. design faults other than on-load release mechanisms.

2 Pending further consideration of the problem, the Committee ap-

proved MSC/Circ.1049 on Accidents with lifeboats, to draw the attention of
manufacturers, shipowners, crews and classification societies to the per-
sonal injury and loss of life that may follow inadequate attention to the
design, construction, maintenance and operation of lifeboats, davits and
associated equipment and urged all concerned to take necessary action to
prevent further accidents with lifeboats. It invited Member Governments to:
2.1. bring the circular to the attention of their maritime Administrations,
relevant industry organizations, manufacturers, shipowners, crews
and classification societies;

23
2.2. take the necessary action to prevent further accidents with lifeboats
pending the development of appropriate IMO guidance;

3 ensure that:

3.1 on-load release equipment used on ships flying their flag is in full
compliancewith the requirements of paragraphs 4.4.7.6.2.2 to
4.4.7.6.5 of the LSA Code;

3.2 all appropriate documentation for the maintenance and adjustment

of lifeboats, launching appliances and associated equipment is availa
ble on board;

3.3 personnel undertaking inspections, maintenance and adjustment of

lifeboats, launching appliances and associated equipment are fully
trained and familiar with these duties;

3.4 maintenance of lifeboats, launching appliances and associated equip

ment is carried out in accordance with approved established proce
dures;

3.5 lifeboat drills are conducted in accordance with SOLAS regulation

III/19.3.3 for the purpose of ensuring that ship’s personnel will be
able to safely embark and launch the lifeboats in an emergency;

3.6 the principles of safety and health at work apply to drills as well;

3.7 personnel undertaking maintenance and repair activities are appro

priately qualified;

3.8 hanging-off pennants should only be used for maintenance purpo

ses and not during training exercises;

3.9 all tests required for the design and approval of life-saving appliances
are conducted rigorously, according to the guidelines developed by
the Organization, in order to identify and rectify any design faults at an early
stage;

3.10 the equipment is easily accessible for inspections and maintenance

and is proven durable in harsh operational conditions, in addition to
with standing prototype tests; and

24
3.11 the approving authorities or bodies pay close attention to proper
workmanship and state-of-the-art possibilities when assessing equip
ment for approval; and

3.12 encourage shipowners, when undertaking maintenance and repair

activities, to employ qualified personnel, preferably certified by the
manufacturer.

3.13 Member Governments were further invited, while enforcing the

provisions of SOLAS regulation IX/4.3, to ensure that the above issues
are addressed through the Safety Management System of the com
pany, as appropriate.

4 The Committee further recalled that, at its seventy-seventh session (28

May to 6 June 2003), recognizing the experience gained since the approval
of the Guidelines on inspection and maintenance of lifeboat on-load release
gear (MSC/Circ.614) at its sixty-second session (24 to 28 May 1993), and that
the implementation of expanded and improved guidelines could contribute
towards a reduction of the incidence of accidents with lifeboats, it had ap-
proved the Guidelines for periodic servicing and maintenance of lifeboats,
launching appliances and on-load release gear (MSC/Circ.1093), superse-
ding MSC/Circ.614. Taking into account subsequent amendments to SOLAS
chapter III and the LSA Code, and having considered proposals by the fiftieth
session of the Sub-Committee on Fire Protection, the Committee approved
amendments to the Guidelines as set out in annex 1. The Committee further
noted that the guidance developed for lifeboats could also apply to the pe-
riodic servicing and maintenance of liferafts, rescue boats and fast rescue
boats and their launching appliances and on-load release gear.

5 The Committee further recalled that, at its seventy-ninth session (1 to

10 December 2004), it had endorsed the intention of the Sub-Committee
on Ship Design and Equipment, in co-operation with the Sub-Committee on
Standards of Training and Watchkeeping, to develop further IMO guidance
as envisioned in MSC/Circ.1049, and accordingly, approved the Guidance
on safety during abandon ship drills using lifeboats (MSC/Circ.1136), as set
out in annex 2. The Committee further recalled that the Guidance develo-
ped for lifeboats has relevance, in general, for emergency drills with other
life-saving systems and should be taken into account when such drills are
conducted. In connection with MSC/Circ.1136, and recognizing the need to
provide a basic outline of essential steps to safely carry out simulated laun-
ching of free-fall lifeboats in accordance with SOLAS regulation III/19.3.3.4,
and having considered proposals by the forty-seventh session of the Sub-

25
Committee on Design and Equipment, the Committee further approved
the Guidelines for simulated launching of free-fall lifeboats (MSC/Circ.1137),
as set out in the appendix to annex 2.

6 Having considered the need to update several of the circulars dis-

cussed above, and having considered proposals by the fiftieth session of
the Sub-Committee on Fire Protection to consolidate the numerous cir-
culars on the subject of measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats in
order to better serve the mariner, the Committee approved the annexed
Guidelines for periodic servicing and maintenance of lifeboats, launching
appliances and on-load release gear (annex 1) and Guidelines on safety du-
ring abandon ship drills using lifeboats (annex 2).

7 Member Governments are invited to give effect to the annexed Gui-

delines as soon as possible and to bring them to the attention of shipow-
ners, ship operators, ship-vetting organizations, ship personnel, surveyors,
manufacturers and all others concerned with the inspection and mainte-
nance of lifeboats, liferafts, rescue boats and fast rescue boats and their
launching appliances and on-load release gear.

8 This circular supersedes MSC/Circ.1049, MSC/Circ.1093, MSC/Circ.1136

and MSC/Circ.1137.
***

26
ANNEX 1
GUIDELINES FOR PERIODIC SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE OF LIFE
BOATS, LAUNCHING APPLIANCES AND ON-LOAD RELEASE GEAR

General

1 The objective of these Guidelines is to establish a uniform, safe and

documented performance of periodic servicing and maintenance of
lifeboats, launching appliances and on-load release gear.

2 These Guidelines relate to the application of the ISM Code to periodic

servicing and maintenance of lifeboat arrangements and should the
refore be reflected in procedures developed for a ship under that
Code.

3 The general principle in these Guidelines may also be applied for the
periodic servicing and maintenance of liferafts, rescue boats and fast
rescue boats and their launching appliances and release gear.

4 Detailed guidance regarding some procedures covered by these

Guidelines is provided in the appendix.

SOLAS regulations

5 These Guidelines relate to the requirements contained in:

5.1 SOLAS regulation III/20 – Operational readiness, maintenance and in
spections; and
5.2 SOLAS regulation III/36 – Instructions for on-board maintenance.

Responsibility

6 The company* is responsible for servicing and maintenance onboard

its ships in accordance with SOLAS regulation III/20 and for the es-
tablishment and implementation of health, safety and environment
(HSE) procedures covering all activities during servicing and mainte-
nance.

7 The personnel carrying out servicing and maintenance are responsi-

ble for the performance of the work as authorized in accordance
with the system specified in paragraph 10.

27
8 The above personnel are also responsible for complying with HSE in
structions and procedures.

9 Where satisfied with an organization’s ability to carry out these func-

tions, the Administration may authorize such organization and its
personnel to perform the functions of the manufacturer and
manufacturer’s certified personnel as assigned under these Guide-
lines, if manufacturer certified facilities are not available.

* For the purpose of these Guidelines, company is as defined in SOLAS

regulation IX/1.2.

Authorization

10 Where these Guidelines require certification of servicing personnel,

such certification should be issued by the manufacturer in accor-
dance with an established system for training and authorization.

Qualification levels

11 Weekly and monthly inspections, and routine maintenance as

defi ned by the manufacturer, should be conducted under the direct
supervision of a senior ship’s officer in accordance with the instruc-
tions provided by the manufacturer.

12 All other inspections, servicing and repair should be conducted by

the manufacturer’s representative or a person appropriately trained
and certified by the manufacturer for the work to be done.

Reports and records

13 All reports and checklists should be correctly filled out and signed
by the person who carries out the inspection and maintenance work
and should also be signed by the company’s representative or the
ship’s master.

14 Records of inspections, servicing, repairs and maintenance should be

updated and filed onboard the ship.

15 When repairs, thorough servicing and annual servicing are comple-

ted, a statement confirming that the lifeboat arrangements remain
fit for purpose should be issued by the manufacturer’s representa-
tive or by the person certified by the manufacturer for the work.
***

28
SPECIFIC PROCEDURES FOR MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING

1 GENERAL

1.1 Any inspection, servicing and repair should be carried out according to
the system for inspection and services developed by the manufacturer.

1.2 A full set of maintenance manuals and associated documentation

issued by the manufacturer should be available on board for use in
all operations involved in the inspection, maintenance, adjustment
and resetting of the lifeboat and associated equipment, such as
davits and release gear.

1.3 The manufacturer’s system for inspection and services should

include the following items as a minimum.

2 ANNUAL THOROUGH EXAMINATION

2.1 As items listed in checklists for the weekly/monthly inspections also

form the first part of the annual thorough examination, when car-
rying out this examination the inspection of these items should be
performed by the ship’s crew in the presence of the manufacturer’s
representative or a person appropriately trained and certified by the
manufacturer for the work to be done.

2.2 Inspection and maintenance records of inspections and routine main

tenance carried out by the ship’s crew and the applicable certificates for
the launching appliances and equipment should be available.

2.3 Repairs and replacement of parts should be carried out in accordance

with the manufacturer’s requirements and standards.

Lifeboats
2.4 The following items should be examined and checked for satisfactory
condition and operation:
2.4.1 condition of lifeboat structure including fixed and loose equipment;
2.4.2 engine and propulsion system;
2.4.3 sprinkler system, where fitted;
2.4.4 air supply system, where fitted;
2.4.5 manoeuvring system;
2.4.6 power supply system; and
2.4.7 bailing system.

29
Release gear
2.5 The following should be examined for satisfactory condition and
operation after the annual winch brake test with the empty boat, as
required by paragraph 3.1:
2.5.1 operation of devices for activation of release gear;
2.5.2 excessive free play (tolerances);
2.5.3 hydrostatic interlock system, where fitted;
2.5.4 cables for control and release; and
2.5.5 hook fastening.

Notes:
1 The setting and maintenance of release gear are critical operations
with regard to maintaining the safe operation of the lifeboat and
the safety of personnel in the lifeboat. All inspection and mainte-
nance operations on this equipment should therefore be carried
out with the utmost care.
2 No maintenance or adjustment of the release gear should be
undertaken while the hooks are under load.
3 Hanging-off pennants may be used for this purpose but should not
remain connected at other times, such as when the lifeboat is
normally stowed and during training exercises.
4 The release gear is to be examined prior to its operational test. The
release gear is to be re-examined after its operational test and the
dynamic winch brake test. Special consideration should be given
to ensure that no damage has occurred during the winch brake
test, especially the hook fastening.

2.6 Operational test of on-load release function:

2.6.1 position the lifeboat partially into the water such that the mass of
the boat is substantially supported by the falls and the hydrostatic
interlock system, where fitted, is not triggered;
2.6.2 operate the on-load release gear;
2.6.3 reset the on-load release gear; and
2.6.4 examine the release gear and hook fastening to ensure that the hook
is completely reset and no damage has occurred.

2.7 Operational test of off-load release function:

2.7.1 position the lifeboat fully waterborne;
2.7.2 operate the off-load release gear;
2.7.3 reset the on-load release gear; and
2.7.4 recover the lifeboat to the stowed position and prepare for operati-
onal readiness.

30
 Note:
Prior to hoisting, check that the release gear is completely and properly
reset. The final turning-in of the lifeboat should be done without any
persons on board.

2.8 Operational test of free-fall lifeboat release function:

2.8.1 engage the simulated launching arrangements as specified in the
manufacturer’s operating instructions;
2.8.2 the operator should be properly seated and secured in the seat loca-
tion from which the release mechanism is to be operated;
2.8.3 operate the release mechanism to release the lifeboat;
2.8.4 reset the lifeboat in the stowed configuration;
2.8.5 repeat procedures .2 to .4 above, using the back-up release mecha-
nism, when applicable.
2.8.6 remove the simulated launching arrangements; and
2.8.7 verify that the lifeboat is in the ready to launch stowed configuration.

Davit
2.9 The following items should be examined for satisfactory condition
and operation:
2.9.1 davit structure, in particular with regard to corrosion, misalignments,
deformations and excessive free play;
2.9.2 wires and sheaves, possible damages such as kinks and corrosion;
2.9.3 lubrication of wires, sheaves and moving parts;
2.9.4 functioning of limit switches;
2.9.5 stored power systems; and
2.9.6 hydraulic systems.

Winch
2.10 The following items should be examined for satisfactory condition
and operation:
2.10.1 open and inspect brake mechanism;
2.10.2 replace brake pads, if necessary;
2.10.3 remote control system;
2.10.4 power supply system; and
2.10.5 winch foundation.

3 DYNAMIC WINCH BRAKE TEST

3.1 Annual operational testing should preferably be done by lowering

the empty boat. When the boat has reached its maximum lowering
speed and before the boat enters the water, the brake should be
abruptly applied.

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3.2 The five-year operational test should be done by lowering the boat
loaded to a proof load equal to 1.1 times the weight of the survival
craft or rescue boat and its full complement of persons and equip-
ment, or equivalent load. When the boat has reached its maximum
lowering speed and before the boat enters the water, the brake
should be abruptly applied.

3.3 Following these tests, the brake pads and stressed structural parts
should be re-inspected.

Note:
In loading the boat for this test, precautions should be taken to ensure that
the stability of the boat is not adversely affected by free surface effects or
the raising of the centre of gravity.

4 OVERHAUL OF ON-LOAD RELEASE GEAR

Overhaul of on-load release gear includes:

4.1 dismantling of hook release units;
4.2 examination with regard to tolerances and design requirements;
4.3 adjustment of release gear system after assembly;
4.4 operational test as per above and with a load according to SOLAS
regulation III/20.11.2.3; and
5.5 examination of vital parts with regard to defects and cracks.

Note:
Non-destructive examination (NDE) techniques, such as dye penetrants
(DPE), may be suitable.

***

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