25.4 Vessels fitted with a Deck Crane or Other Lifting Device
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - MCA Publications - MGN 280 - Small Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure, Workboats and Pilot Boats - Alternative Construction Standards - 25 Requirements Specific to the Use of the Vessel - 25.4 Vessels fitted with a Deck Crane or Other Lifting Device

25.4 Vessels fitted with a Deck Crane or Other Lifting Device

  25.4.1 Reference should be made to Section 11.6 for requirements for safety standards for vessel stability during lifting operations.

  25.4.2 Generally, a vessel fitted with a deck crane or other lifting device which will be used when the vessel is at sea should be a decked vessel with a watertight weather deck in accordance with Section 4.1.1 and 4.3.1.1 or be considered under Section 4.1.3.2.

Agreement should be obtained from the Administration for any proposal to fit a deck crane or other lifting device on a vessel which is not a decked vessel.

  25.4.3 The vessel's structure, the crane or other lifting device and the supporting structure should be of sufficient strength to withstand the loads that will be imposed when operating at its maximum overturning moment and maximum vertical reaction.

  25.4.4 Load tests and inspections to verify the safe operation of the crane or other lifting device, its foundation and supporting structures should be carried out to the satisfaction of the Certifying Authority. Tests should be conducted in accordance with a recognised standard for the installation. Such tests should be repeated after modifications, including any structural modifications, take place. A visual inspection of the crane or lifting device should be carried out annually.

Typically, the crane or other lifting device should be subjected to a 25% overload test. (In special circumstances a reduced overload may have to be accepted but in no case should this be less than 10 %.) During the overload test, the hoist, slew and luff performance should be tested at low speed, as appropriate. Tests for a variable load-radius type of crane or other lifting device should correspond to its rated performance (e.g. load radius chart).

Attention is drawn to the requirements of BS 7121: Part 2:2003 - Code of Practice for Safe Use of Cranes. Inspection, Testing and Examination. Paragraph 17 - Cranes on Water Borne Craft, has particular relevance to vessels certificated in accordance with this Code.

  25.4.5 An inclinometer (pendulum) should be provided onboard for guidance to the crane or lifting device operator when controlling the lifting items of unknown weight.

  25.4.6 A prominent clear notice should be posted on or near the crane or lifting device and contain the following information and instructions:-

  • .1 the maximum permitted load and outreach which satisfy the requirements of Section 11.6.3, or the safe working load (SWL), whichever is the lesser (operating performance data, i.e. load radius performance chart for a crane or other lifting device of variable load-radius type should be included as appropriate);

  • .2 in order to satisfy the requirement of the Merchant Shipping (Hatches and Lifting Plant) Regulations 1988 (SI 1639), any crane whose safe working load varies with its operating radius is provided with a means of accurately determining the radius at any time, clearly visible or accessible to the driver of the crane, showing the radius of the load lifting attachments at anytime. Provision should be made to enable the driver to ascertain the safe working load corresponding to that radius;

  • .3 details of all openings leading below deck which should be secured weathertight; and

  • .4 instructions for all personnel to be above deck before lifting operations commence.

  25.4.7 A lifting system which incorporates counterbalance weight(s) should be specially considered by the MCA.

  25.4.8 The Certifying Authority should be satisfied that the safety of the vessel is not endangered by lifting operations. Means should be provided for the efficient securing of cargo and loose equipment onboard during lifting operations. Instructions on safety procedures to be followed by the skipper should be provided to the satisfaction of the Certifying Authority.

  25.4.9 It should be noted that the Merchant Shipping (Hatches and Lifting Plant) Regulations 1988 (SI 1639) are currently in the process of being revised in order to implement the European Council Directives 89/655/EEC and 95/63/EC on the use of work equipment. The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessel (Provision and Use of Work Equipment) Regulations (PUWER) and Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessel (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment) Regulations (LOLER) are due for implementation during 2004/5 and operators of equipment covered by these regulations should be aware of their requirements.

Parent topic: 25 Requirements Specific to the Use of the Vessel
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.