INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA, 1974
Equivalent arrangement accepted under regulation I/5
Maintenance of falls
Statement by the Government of the Netherlands
The Secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization has the honour to transmit herewith the text of a statement by the Government of the Netherlands under the provision of regulation I/5 of the above Convention.
The Secretary-general would be grateful if steps could be taken to bring this information to the attention of the appropriate Authorities.
Statement by the Government of the Netherlands
1.Regulation III/19.4 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended requires "end for ending" for falls at intervals of not more than 30 months and renewal of falls at intervals not exceeding five years.
2. Reversal of falls may be impractical for the following reasons:
- Experience has shown that the falls are normally in a good condition;
- The use of single continuous falls makes reversal impractical, if not impossible, without cutting the falls in the middle; this will necessitate splices in the falls which may create a greater danger to the falls than weathering;
- The use of stainless steel greatly improves the service life of falls.
3. In view of the above, the Netherlands gives notification of the following equivalent arrangements to regulation III/19.4, under the provision of regulation I/5 of the above Convention:
.1 In lieu of end for ending at intervals not exceeding 30 months, wire falls shall be inspected periodically and shall be renewed whenever necessary due to deterioration, or at intervals of five years, whichever is the earlier;
.2 If the falls are constructed of stainless steel they shall be inspected periodically and shall be renewed whenever necessary due to deterioration, or at the expire of the service life recommended by the manufacturer, whichever is the earlier. The service life shall not exceed 10 years.