6 Inspection and maintenance

6.1 General precautions

6.1.1 SOLAS regulation III/20 requires that all life-saving appliances shall be in working order and ready for immediate use before the ship leaves port and at all times during the voyage. Lifeboats, launching appliances and release gear are required by SOLAS regulation III/20 to be inspected weekly and monthly according to the instructions for on-board maintenance complying with the requirements of SOLAS regulation III/36. Also, MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1 describes more detailed procedures for periodic servicing and maintenance of lifeboats, launching appliances and release gear.

6.1.2 This manual includes only the weekly and monthly inspection and maintenance, which are conducted on board under the direct supervision of a senior ship's officer.

6.2 Inspection and maintenance of lifeboat and release gear system

6.2.1 Inspection and maintenance plan

Lifeboats should be inspected and maintained weekly and monthly in accordance with the following tables. The tables list the items to checked, the method of inspection, the procedures to be followed, and the frequency at which the items are to be attended to.

Table 6.2.1.1 covers the basic lifeboat (including release gear).

Table 6.2.1.2 covers the lifeboat engine.

Table 6.2.1.3 covers the electric parts.

Table 6.2.1.4 covers the lifeboat equipment.

Table 6.2.1.1 – Inspection procedure and maintenance plan for boat

Table 6.2.1.2 – Inspection procedure and maintenance plan for engine

Table 6.2.1.3 - Inspection procedure and maintenance plan for electric parts

Table 6.2.1.4 – Inspection procedure and maintenance plan for lifeboat equipment

Check for condition, quantity and expiry date where applicable

6.2.2 On board maintenance procedures

6.2.2.1 General

As a result of inspection, any defective parts should be repaired in accordance with following procedures. Any shortage of quantity should be supplemented to the correct number. Defective parts other than the following should be recorded along with their details and ordered for maintenance and repair by the manufacturers.

6.2.2.2 Boat

6.2.2.2.1 Rust on metal parts

Give anti-rusting treatment according to degree of damage, or replace if significantly wasted.

6.2.2.2.2 Damage of fabric

Repair fabric products by same material according to degree of damage.

6.2.2.2.3 Gasket

Repair with adhesive sealant according to degree of damage.

6.2.2.2.4 Drain valve

Remove any dirt and check correct operation.

6.2.2.2.5 Water spray system

Remove any deposit from spray nozzles. Tighten up pipe connecting parts when any leakage was noted. Adjust to proper tension on V-belt.

6.2.2.3 Engine

6.2.2.3.1 Oil coating and filling

When any rust exists, remove rust and coat with machine oil. Rotating parts should be filled with lubricating oil.

6.2.2.3.2 Operating test

An operational test of the engine should be carried out on board the ship and in the afloat condition after launching at an appropriate opportunity to check the running condition. After the operational test, ensure that the valves for the cooling water line are opened and flushed with fresh water and drained completely.

6.2.2.4 Electric parts

6.2.2.4.1 Battery

Fill up battery with electrolyte if level is below the designated position. Tighten up electric terminal if it is loose.

6.3 Inspection and maintenance of launching appliances (davits and winches)

6.3.1 Inspection and maintenance plan

Launching appliances should be inspected and maintained weekly and monthly in accordance with the following tables. The tables list the items to be checked, the method of inspection, the procedure to be followed, and the frequency at which the items are to be attended to.

Table 6.3.1.1 covers the davit.

Table 6.3.1.2 covers the winch.

Table 6.3.1.3 covers the electric parts.

Table 6.3.1.1 – Inspection procedure and maintenance plan for davit

Table 6.3.1.2 – Inspection procedure and maintenance plan for winch

Table 6.3.1.3 – Inspection procedure and maintenance plan for electric parts

6.3.2 On-board maintenance procedure

6.3.2.1 General

As a result of inspection, any defective parts should be repaired in accordance with following procedures. Any shortage of quantity should be supplemented to correct number. Defective parts other than the following should be recorded along with their details and ordered for maintenance and repair by the manufacturers.

6.3.2.2 Wire rope

6.3.2.2.2 Check fixing condition of wire ropes.

6.3.2.2.3 Change the boat falls within an appropriate period.

6.3.2.2.4 Adjust the length of boat falls as necessary so that the clearances between the davit arm and davit arm stopper at fore and aft are almost the same.

6.3.2.2.5 Ensure that material and diameter of suspension links are as specified by the release gear manufacturer.

6.3.2.3 Boat winch

6.3.2.3.1 Prior to commencement of the maintenance work for the winch, the boat should be secured to prevent movement.

6.3.2.3.2 Oil should be checked and changed if discoloured. In case that oil level is low, oil should be added until the its surface comes to the designated level in the oil gauge.

6.3.2.3.3 Surfaces of each gear inside the gear box should be checked. In case that a defect is found on a surface of gear, the gear box should be replaced or repaired.

6.3.2.3.4 In case that the angle of brake lever has dropped due to abrasion of the brake lining, the angle of the brake lever should be adjusted by loosening the bolts, adjusting the angle and tightening the bolts again.

6.3.2.4 Greasing

6.3.2.4.1 Lubrication is essential for the function of the davit and winch and regular checking is necessary. Greasing also should be regularly conducted. For appropriate greasing, the detailed structure of the davit and winch and the functions of their parts should be understood.

6.3.2.4.2 All grease nipples of the davit should be greased at least once a month.

6.3.2.4.3 Gear oil inside the boat winch should regularly be checked regarding amount, change of colour and mixture of moisture.

6.3.2.4.4 Wire rope oil/grease should be regularly checked to prevent loss of oil/grease. Wire rope should be oiled or greased every two months in general.