2
Inspection and maintenance records of inspections and routine maintenance carried out by the ship’s crew and the applicable certificates for the launching appliances and equipment should be available.

2.3
Repairs and replacement of parts should be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements and standards.

Lifeboat

2.4
The following items should be examined and checked for satisfactory condition and operation:

.1
condition of lifeboat structure including fixed and loose equipment;

.2
engine and propulsion system;

.3
sprinkler system, where fitted;

.4
air supply system, where fitted;

.5 manoeuvring
system;

.6
power supply system; and

.7 bailing
system.

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Release gear

2.5
The following should be examined for satisfactory condition and operation:

.1
operation of devices for activation of release gear;

.2
excessive free play (tolerances);

.3
hydrostatic interlock system, where fitted;

.4
cables for control and release; and

.5 hook
fastening.

Notes:

1
The setting and maintenance of release gear are critical operations with regard to maintaining the safe operation of the lifeboat and the safety of personnel in the lifeboat. All inspection and maintenance operations on this equipment should therefore be carried out with the utmost care.

2
No maintenance or adjustment of the release gear should be undertaken while the hooks are under load.

3
Hanging-off pennants may be used for this purpose but should not remain connected at other times, such as when the lifeboat is normally stowed and during training exercises.

2.6
Operational test of on-load release function:

.1
position the lifeboat partially into the water such that the mass of the boat is substantially supported by the falls and the hydrostatic interlock system, where fitted, is not triggered;

.2
operate the on-load release mechanism; and

.3
reset the on-load release mechanism.

2.7
Operational test of off-load release function:

.1
position the lifeboat fully waterborne;

.2
operate the off-load release gear;

.3
reset the on-load release gear; and

.4
recover the lifeboat to the stowed position and prepare for operational readiness.
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Note:

Prior to hoisting, check that the release gear is completely and properly reset. The final turning-in of the lifeboat should be done without any persons on board.

Davit

2.8
The following items should be examined for satisfactory condition and operation:

.1
davit structure, in particular with regard to corrosion, misalignments, deformations and excessive free play;

.2
wires and sheaves, possible damages such as kinks and corrosion;

.3
lubrication of wires, sheaves and moving parts;

.4
functioning of limit switches;

.5
stored power systems; and

.6 hydraulic
systems.

Winch

2.9
The following items should be examined for satisfactory condition and operation:

.1
open and inspect brake mechanism;

.2
replace brake pads, if necessary;

.3
remote control system; and

.4
power supply system.

3 DYNAMIC WINCH BRAKE TEST

3.1
Annual operational testing should preferably be done by lowering the empty boat. When the boat has reached its maximum lowering speed and before the boat enters the water, the brake should be abruptly applied.

3.2
Five-yearly operational testing should be done by lowering the boat loaded to a proof load of 1.1 times the maximum working load of the winch, or equivalent load. When the boat has reached its maximum lowering speed and before the boat enters the water, the brake should be abruptly applied.

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3.3
Following these tests, the brake pads and stressed structural parts should be re-inspected.

Note:

In loading the boat for this test, precautions should be taken to ensure that the stability of the boat is not adversely affected by free surface effects or the raising of the centre of gravity.

4 OVERHAUL OF ON-LOAD RELEASE GEAR

Overhaul of on-load release gear includes:

.1
dismantling of hook release units;

.2
examination with regard to tolerances and design requirements;

.3
adjustment of release gear system after assembly;

.4 operational test as per above and with a load according to SOLAS regulation III/20.11.2.3; and

.5
examination of vital parts with regard to defects and cracks.

Note:

Non-destructive examination (NDE) techniques, such as dye penetrants (DPE), may be suitable.


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