3.4 Launching arrangements
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Assembly - IMO Resolution A.520(13) – Code of practice for the evaluation, testing and acceptance of prototype novel life-saving appliances and arrangements – (Adopted in 1983) - Annex - Recommendation on Testing of Life-Saving Appliances - 3 Appliance Criteria and Testing of Prototypes - 3.4 Launching arrangements

3.4 Launching arrangements

  3.4.1 Launching arrangements for survival craft should:

  • .1 provide safe launching under normal conditions and with the ship trimmed up to 10° and listed up to 20° either way or up to such angles of trim or list at which the ship's weather deck edge becomes submerged, whichever is the least, and on 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 1978 Protocol relating thereto and the recommendations of the Organizationfootnote as applicable, at the final angle of heel on the lower side;

  • .2 in the case of cargo ships of 20,000 gross tonnage and upwards, provide safe launching with the ship making headway at speeds of up to 5 knots;

  • .3 where they include falls and a winch, ensure that the speed at which the survival craft is lowered into the water is controlled by suitable means and such that the rate of descent after initial acceleration is at least a rate obtained from the formula:

    where
    S = speed of lowering in metres per second and
    H = height in metres from the uppermost point of suspension to the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition;

  • .4 meet the requirements of the Administration for the maximum lowering speed of the survival craft to ensure the protection of its occupants from excessive forces and to prevent damage to the launching arrangements taking into account inertial forces during an emergency stop;

  • .5 except for winch brakes, be of sufficient strength to withstand a static load of at least 2.2 times their maximum working load;

  • .6 where they include winch brakes, have winch brakes of sufficient strength to withstand:

    • .6.1 a static test with a proof load of 1.5 times the maximum working load;

    • .6.2 a dynamic test with a proof load of not less than 1.1 times the maximum working load at maximum lowering speed;

  • .7 be capable of being actuated by one person from a position on board the survival craft and from a position on deck from which the launching can be observed and the release of the survival craft from the launching arrangements should be possible from a position on board the survival craft;

  • .8 if based on launching by a fall or falls, have a release mechanism which will release the survival craft into the water without causing damage to the survival craft;

  • .9 if for float-free release:

    • .9.1 release the survival craft from its stowed position;

    • .9.2 be designed to minimize the possibility of the survival craft becoming fouled in davits, cranes, rigging or superstructure;

    • .9.3 not be released unintentionally by such forces as water on deck and heavy weather;

    • .9.4 not be affected by shipboard vibration;

    • .9.5 provide for manual release;

    • .9.6 of survival craft having a rigid enclosure, release and launch the survival craft in all conditions of loading without it becoming swamped and should in addition allow the release and launch of the survival craft from the operator's position within the survival craft;

  • .10 if arranged for free-fall launching, ensure that the survival craft is released clear of the ship;

  • .11 ensure that the survival craft is upright in the water after launching into a seaway, unless the survival craft is self-righting, may be used in the upside-down condition or can be righted by one person in the water;

  • .12 be prototype tested with regard to paragraphs 3.4.1.2 to 3.4.1.11 and with regard to paragraph 3.4.1.1 in a seaway.

  3.4.2 Launching arrangements for rescue craft should comply with the provisions of paragraphs 3.4.1.3 to 3.4.1.7, 3.4.1.10 and in addition should:

  • .1 provide safe launching when the ship is:

    • .1.1 in a seaway; and

    • .1.2 making headway at speeds of up to 5 knots;

  • .2 if based on launching by a fall or falls, have a release mechanism which will release the rescue craft into the water without causing damage to the rescue craft or injury to its complement; and

  • .3 be prototype tested with regard to paragraphs 3.4.1.3 to 3.4.1.7, 3.4.1.10, 3.4.2.1 and 3.4.2.2 and with regard to paragraph 3.4.2.1.1 in a seaway.

Parent topic: 3 Appliance Criteria and Testing of Prototypes
Copyright 2022 Clasifications Register Group Limited, International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization or Maritime and Coastguard Agency. All rights reserved. Clasifications Register Group Limited, its affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees or agents are, individually and collectively, referred to in this clause as 'Clasifications Register'. Clasifications Register assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable to any person for any loss, damage or expense caused by reliance on the information or advice in this document or howsoever provided, unless that person has signed a contract with the relevant Clasifications Register entity for the provision of this information or advice and in that case any responsibility or liability is exclusively on the terms and conditions set out in that contract.