Ingangsdatum: 30-05-1996
Geldig tot en met: 30-06-1999
7.2.1 The inflated rescue boats should be
subjected to the tests prescribed in 6.3,6.5.1,6.7.1,6.10.1 to
6.10.4,6.11,6.12,6.13,7.1.2 and 7.1.3.
Drop tests
7.2.2 The inflated
rescue boat complete with all its equipment and with a mass equivalent to its
engine and fuel in the position of its engine and fuel tank should be dropped
three times from a height of at least 3 m on to water. The drops should be
from the 45°C bow-down, level-trim and 45°C stern-down attitudes.
7.2.3 On completion of these drop
tests, the rescue boat and its equipment should be carefully examined and show
no signs of damage which would affect their efficient functioning.
Loading tests
7.2.4 The freeboard of the inflated rescue boat should
be taken in the various loading conditions as follows:
.1 rescue boat with all its equipment;
.2
rescue boat with all its equipment, engine and fuel, or an equivalent mass
positioned to represent engine and fuel;
.3 rescue
boat with all its equipment and the number of persons for which it is to be
approved having an average mass of 75 kg so arranged that a uniform freeboard
is achieved at the side buoyancy tubes; and
.4 rescue
boat with the number of persons for which it is to be approved and all its
equipment, engine and fuel or an equivalent mass to represent engine and fuel
and the rescue boat being retrimmed as necessary.
7.2.5 With the rescue boat in any of the conditions
prescribed in 7.2.4, the minimum freeboard should be not less than 300 mm at
the buoyancy tubes and not less than 250 mm from the lowest part of the
transom.
Stability test
7.2.6 The following tests should be carried out
with engine and fuel or an equivalent mass in place of the engine and fuel
tanks:
.1 the number of persons for which the
inflated rescue boat is to be approved should be crowded to one side with half
this complement seated on the buoyancy tube, and then to one end. In each case
the freeboard should be recorded. Under these conditions the freeboard should
be everywhere positive; and
.2 the stability of the
rescue boat during boarding should be ascertained by two persons in the rescue
boat demonstrating that they can readily assist from the water a third person
who is required to feign unconsciousness. The third person should have his
back towards the side of the rescue boat so that he cannot assist the
rescuers. All persons should wear approved lifejackets.
7.2.7 These stability tests may be carried out with the
rescue boat floating in still water.
Damage test
7.2.8 The
following tests should be carried out with the inflated rescue boat loaded
with the number of persons for which it is to be approved both with and
without engine and fuel or an equivalent mass in the position of the engine
and fuel tank:
.1 with forward buoyancy compartment
deflated:
.2 with the entire buoyancy on one side of
the rescue boat deflated; and
.3 with the entire
buoyancy on one side and the bow compartment deflated.
7.2.9 In each of the conditions prescribed by 7.2.8,
the full number of persons for which the rescue boat is to be approved should
be supported within the rescue boat.
Manoeuvrability tests
7.2.10 It
should be demonstrated that the inflated rescue boat can be propelled and
manoeuvred by its oars or paddles in calm water conditions at a speed of at
least 0.5 knots over a distance of at least 25 m, when laden with the number
of persons, all wearing lifejackets, for which it is to be approved.
7.2.11 Speed and manoeuvring trials
should be carried out with engines of various powers to assess the rescue
boat's performance.
Righting test
7.2.12 It should be demonstrated that
both with and without engine and fuel or an equivalent mass in place of the
engine and fuel tank, the inflated rescue boat is capable of being righted by
not more than two persons if it is inverted on the water.
Simulated heavy weather test
7.2.13 To simulate use in heavy weather the inflated
rescue boat should be fitted with a larger powered engine than is intended to
be fitted and driven hard in a wind of force 4 or 5 or equivalent rough water
for at least 30 min. As a result of this test the rescue boat should not show
undue flexing or permanent strain nor have lost more than minimal pressure.
Swamp test
7.2.14 It should be demonstrated that the rescue boat,
when fully swamped, is capable of supporting its full equipment, the number of
persons for which it is to be approved and a mass equivalent to its engine and
full tank. It should also be demonstrated that the rescue boat does not
seriously deform in this condition.
Overload tests
7.2.15 The
inflated rescue boat should be loaded with four times the mass of the full
complement of persons and equipment for which it is to be approved and
suspended for five minutes from its bridle at an ambient temperature of + 20 ±
3°C with all relief valves operative. The rescue boat and bridle should be
examined after the test is conducted and should not show any signs of damage.
7.2.16 The inflated rescue boat,
after 6 h conditioning at a temperature of -30°C, should be loaded with 1.1
times the mass of the full complement of persons and equipment for which it is
to be approved and suspended for five minutes from its bridle with all relief
valves operative. The rescue boat and bridle should be examined after the test
is conducted and should not show any signs of damage.
Material tests
7.2.17 The material used in the construction of inflated rescue
boats should be tested for the following characteristics to the satisfaction
of the Administration:
.1 tensile strength;
.2 tear strength;
.3 heat
resistance;
.4 cold resistance;
.5 heat ageing;
.6 weathering;
.7 flex cracking;
.8 abrasion;
.9 Coating adhesion;
.10
oil resistance;
.11 elongation at break;
.12 piercing strength;
.13
ozone resistance;
.14 gas permeability;
.15 seam strength; and
.16
ultraviolet light resistance.
Mooring out
test.
7.2.18 The inflated rescue
boat should be subjected to the tests indicated in 5.5.
Detailed inspection
7.2.19 The inflated rescue boat complete in all respects should be
fully inflated in the manufacturer's works and subjected to detailed
inspection to ensure that all the requirements are fulfilled.