Authorized person: manufacturer or his representative
Inflatable rescue boat: to be inspected by authorized person every 2.5 years. Associated engine to be inspected as well.
Rigid inflatable rescue boat: to be considered as "inflatable"
On load / off load release system: at each 5 yearly survey to be inspected by an authorized person.
At other surveys in accordance with the maintenance manual.
After each lifeboat drill it is great importance to be sure that release system is returned in the safe position.
Never use excessive force.
Remote cables shall be duly secured with securing seats approved by the manufacturer.
Hydrostatic system shall be clean, the membrane in good condition.
When stainless steel wires, bolts and nuts are used, be sure these are of the correct type.
Blocks, sheaves, shackles, chains and runners: When renewing blocks, sheaves, shackles, chains or runners be sure these are of the correct type, that they are compatible. A test certificate shall accompany each piece.
Stainless steel runners shall be of the correct type.
In reports always clearly state which ones have been "opened"for survey
Free fall boats
- rollers or glideplates of gliding system to be checked
- as runners and hoisting bridle are exposed to exhaust fumes often, they are liable to excessive corrosion.
- condition of windows, watertightness of windows and covers to be checked
Combined multi pupose cranes
Cranes which are also being used for handling of stores have to be surveyed and tested in accordance with ILO 152 by class society surveyor too.
Testing
The ship’s staff and/or yard is responsible for the safe execution of all required tests.
The Shipping Inspectorate or class surveyor will witness and will judge whether the tests are to the satisfaction.
Loadtests: principally no persons in boat or liferaft!! Whenever persons in boat or liferaft are needed, it is strongly recommended to use an extra crane with a safety strop.
Exercises with survival craft
Operational exercise with the survival craft by the crew is a part of the safety equipment survey.
In principal the Shipping Inspectorate will carry out the renewal and periodical survey for the Safety Certificate.
Periodical survey
- check of log book and survival craft maintenance record. Are all manuals for life saving appliances on board?
- visual inspection of boats, davits, cranes and associated equipment
- at least one boat to be lowered to embarkation deck
- rescue boat always to be lowered
- always test engines of life -and rescue boat
- the crew shall perform the exercise in compliance with the muster list
- when there is doubt of the readiness of the survival craft or the proficiency of the crew: all boats to be lowered
- launchable liferaft: check date of the last operational exercise (actual inflation of raft by crew, embarkation and lowering). If the date is not known or the exercise has been performed 12 or more months ago, then an operational exercise shall be carried out. As much as possible crewmembers shall attend the exercise. Special attention to be paid to the functioning of the ARH.
A liferaft of a servicestation may be used.
- "on load " release only to be tested when boat is nearly in water
- FF boat: when free fall drop is due or the crew gives an impression not to be familiar with the system then a free fall shall be exercised. When the ship is equipped with a simu-drop system, a drop with this system will do.
When the ship has an exemption, stating that the crew is trained in a different way (training institute a shore) then a free fall with crew is not required.
Renewal survey: see special survey
Modifications to existing ships in compliance with revised Ch. III Solas
First docking after 1-7-1998:
- provisions to be fitted on davits in order to secure lifeboat when maintenance or repairs are carried out to release system (hanging off pendant)
- in ships being equipped with a totally enclosed lifeboat which is also designated as rescueboat, a heavy weather strop shall be fitted.