Weekly inspection
The following tests and inspections shall be carried out weekly and a report of the inspection shall be entered in the log-book
- All survival craft, rescue boats and launching appliances shall be visually inspected to ensure that they are ready for use. The inspection shall include, but is not limited to, the condition of hooks, their attachment to the lifeboat, and the on-load release gear being properly and completely reset;
- All engines in lifeboats and rescue boats shall be run for a total period of not less than 3 min. provided the ambient temperature is above the minimum temperature required for starting and running the engine. During this period of time, it should be demonstrated that the gear box and gear box train are engaging satisfactorily. If the special characteristics of an outboard motor fitted to a rescue boat would not allow it to be run other than with its propeller submerged for a period of 3 min, it should be run for such period as prescribed in the manufacturer’s handbook a suitable water supply may be provided. In special cases the Administration may waive this requirement for ships constructed before 1 July 1986;
- Lifeboats, except free-fall lifeboats, on cargo ships shall be moved from their stowed position, without any persons on board, to the extent necessary to demonstrate satisfactory operation of launching appliances, if weather and sea conditions so allow for; and
- The general emergency alarm system shall be tested.
Monthly inspections
- All lifeboats, except free-fall lifeboats, shall be turned out from their stowed position, without any persons onboard if weather and sea conditions so allow.
- Inspection of the life-saving appliances, including lifeboat equipment, shall be carried out monthly using the checklist required to ensure that they are complete and in good order. A report of the inspection shall be entered in the log-book.
Servicing of inflatable liferafts, inflatable lifejackets, and marine evacuation systems, and maintenance and repair of inflated rescue boats
Every inflatable liferaft, inflatable lifejacket, and marine evacuation system shall be serviced:
- at intervals not exceeding 12 months, provided where in any case this is impracticable, the Administration may extend this period to 17 months; and
- at an approved servicing station which is competent to service them, maintains proper servicing facilities and uses only properly trained personnel.
- Rotational deployment of marine evacuation systems
In addition to or in conjunction with the servicing intervals of marine evacuation systems required, each marine evacuation system should be deployed from the ship on a rotational basis at intervals to be agreed by the Administration provided that each system is to be deployed at least once every six years.
Periodic servicing of hydrostatic release units
Hydrostatic release units, other than disposable hydrostatic release units, shall be serviced:
- at intervals not exceeding 12 months, provided where in any case this is impracticable, the Administration may extend this period to 17 months .
- at a servicing station which is competent to service them, maintains proper servicing facilities and uses only properly trained personnel.
Maintenance of falls
Falls used in launching shall be inspected periodically* with special regard for areas passing through sheaves, and renewed when necessary due to deterioration of the falls or at intervals of not more than 5 years, whichever is the earlier.
