Ingangsdatum: 01-05-1992
Geldig tot en met: 04-05-1992
7.2.1 The inflated rescue boat should be subjected to
the tests prescribed in 6.5.1 and 6.5.2,6.7, 6.10, 6.11, 6.13 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 and towing 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 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 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.
Detailed inspection
7.2.18 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.