6.1.1 General requirements
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Codes - LSA Code - International Life-Saving Appliance Code – Resolution MSC.48(66) - Chapter VI - Launching and Embarkation Appliances - 6.1 Launching and embarkation appliances - 6.1.1 General requirements

6.1.1 General requirements

  6.1.1.1 With the exception of the secondary means for launching for free-fall lifeboats, each launching appliance shall be so arranged that the fully equipped survival craft or rescue boat it serves can be safely Iaunched against unfavourable conditions of trim of up 10° and list of up to 20° either way:

  • .1 when boarded, as required by regulation III/23 or III/33, by its full complement of persons; and

  • .2 with not more than the required operating crew on board.

  6.1.1.2 Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph 6.1.1.1, lifeboat launching appliances for oil tankers, chemical tankers and gas carriers with a final angle of heel greater than 20° calculated in accordance with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto and the recommendations of the Organization footnote, as applicable, shall be capable of operating at the final angle of heel on the lower side of the ship taking into consideration the final damaged waterline of the ship.

  6.1.1.3 A launching appliance shall not depend on any means other than gravity or stored mechanical power which is independent of the ship's power supplies to launch the survival craft or rescue boat it serves in the fully loaded and equipped condition and also in the light condition.

  6.1.1.4 Each launching appliance shall be so constructed that only a minimum amount of routine maintenance is necessary. All parts requiring regular maintenance by the ship's crew shall be readily accessible and easily maintained.

  6.1.1.5 The launching appliance and its attachments other than winches shall be of sufficient strength to withstand a factory static proof load test of not less than 2.2 times the maximum working load.

  6.1.1.6 Structural members and all blocks, falls, padeyes, links, fastenings and all other fittings used in connection with launching equipment shall be designed with a factor of safety on the basis of the maximum working load assigned and the ultimate strengths of the materials used for construction. A minimum factor of safety of 4.5 shall be applied to all structural members including winch structural components and a minimum factor of safety of 6 shall be applied to falls, suspension chains, links and blocks.

  6.1.1.7 Each launching appliance shall. as far as practicable, remain effective under conditions of icing.

  6.1.1.8 A lifeboat launching appliance shall be capable of recovering the lifeboat with its crew.

  6.1.1.9 Each rescue boat launching appliance shall be fitted with a powered winch motor capable of raising the rescue boat from the water with its full rescue boat complement of persons and equipment at a rate of not less than 0.3 m/s.

  6.1.1.10 The arrangements of the launching appliance shall be such as to enable safe boarding of the survival craft in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs 4.1.4.2, 4.1.4.3, 4.4.3.1 and 4.4.3.2.

  6.1.1.11 Rescue boat launching appliances shall be provided with foul weather recovery strops for recovery where heavy fall blocks constitute a danger.


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