Ingangsdatum: 05-05-1992
Geldig tot en met: 29-05-1996
7.2.1 The inflated rescure should be subjected to
the tests prescribed in 6.3, 6.5.1, 6.7, 6.10, 6.11, 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 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.