Regulations
(in compliance to SOLAS 96 Regulation Chapter III 20.11.3 & IMO/MSC/CIR 1206).
Our Engineers are certified by manufacturers of Lifeboats and Davits from Japan, China, Korea and Europe:
Our Service and Maintenance regime will encompass all activities (as per MSC/ Circ.1206 Guidelines) including:
1.Checking to ensure that the design of the launching appliance conforms to the requirements of the Amendments to SOLAS---MSC.47(66) & International LSA Code MSC.48(66), maintenance and inspection of the boat davit consisting of the davit arm, ramp, aft lashing unit, release hook unit, boat fitted unit, floating beam unit, hydraulic system and hydraulic boat winch.
4. Inspection of manual valve to observe whether the drum turns and the turning direction is right.
5. Checking and inspection of hydraulic pipes' connection
6. Measurement of insulation of the electric elements.
7. Inspection and maintenance of pivot shaft, boat winch, hydraulic cylinder frame and pulley shaft.
Lifeboats – fixed structural connections of release mechanisms
Tuesday, 01.06.2009, 10:51pm (GMT)
APPLICABILITY
All ship owners, managers, lifeboat manufacturers and lifeboat maintenance service providers
INFORMATION
SOLAS Chapter III, Regulation 20.3 requires maintenance, testing and inspections to be carried out in a manner which will ensure the reliability of lifesaving and launching appliances. Regulations 20.6, 20.7 and 20.11 require ship owners’ representatives to conduct weekly, monthly and annual examinations of lifesaving appliances and launching appliances to confirm that they are fit for purpose.
There is a requirement to check the condition of lifeboat structure, but there are no specific requirements to check the condition of the fixed structural connections of lifeboat release mechanisms. A review of our records shows that we occasionally see release mechanism lifting straps in a wasted condition, as the photograph below illustrates.
In addition, we are increasingly seeing fixed structural connections where the forward release hook mechanism is attached to the lifeboat stem. In these cases, a pedestal is attached to the release hook foundation plate for the griping wire. There has been a recent example of this type of connection failing in service. Examples of external and internal arrangements are pictured below and overleaf.
It is recommended that, at weekly, monthly and annual examinations, particular attention is paid to the following:
• Are the lifting straps wasted?
• Is there evidence of the fixing bolts moving in the foundation plates?
• Is there evidence of surface cracking in the GRP laminate?
• Do the release hook foundation plates remain a good fit and will they prevent the ingress of water under the fitting?
• Is there discoloration of the GRP structure in the areas around fixings?
• After annual and five-yearly dynamic winch brake tests, is there evidence of any of the above deficiencies?
If there are any indications of deficiencies related to any of the above points or any other deficiencies that will affect the reliability of lifeboats and their launching appliances we recommend that you inform the lifeboat manufacturer and seek their advice.
HELP US TO HELP YOU – if you are an owner or operator and require further assistance, please get in touch with your local Lloyd’s Register Group office at the earliest opportunity and we will be happy to assist.
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