3.2 Organization, description and layout of manual

  3.2.1 Outline

 It is recommended that a manual for a lifeboat system be developed with the following major divisions:

• 1 General description of the whole lifeboat system.

• 2 Method of checking proper closure of release hooks.

• 3 Launching operation.

• 4 Recovery operation.

• 5 On-load/off-load release gear.

• 6 Inspection and maintenance.

  3.2.2 Explanation of major components and their function

 The structure and working principle of the lifeboat’s major components, in particular the on-load/offload release gear, should be explained using figures and preferably three-dimensional perspectives. In addition, the operation of the release gear should be described sequentially, using short phrases written in the active voice.

  3.2.3 Operation of lifeboat system including release gear systems

 The operation of the lifeboat system should be described using the following elements:

• .1 flow of the operation should be explained;

• .2 detail of operation should be explained with figures. Operation and relevant movement of the parts of the release gear should be described with illustrations/photos, preferably using annotations and arrows to show direction of movement; and

• .3 hazards, precautions and notes should be identified with symbols specific to the level of risk. As an example of the various levels of risk and the appropriate associated symbols, the following are recommended:

  • .1 For the highest level of risk, such as in the explanation of “on-load release operation”, the following symbol (red background) should be used with a warning statement similar to the following:

 Note: International standard symbols (ISO 3864-1 and ISO 7010) are recommended where appropriate, but since marine use is excluded from the scope of these standards, and they fail to indicate different levels of risk, the “graduated” symbols are recommended.

• .2 For the second highest level of risk, such as in the explanation of “davit arm stop release operation”, the following symbol (yellow background) should be used with a caution statement similar to the following:

  .3 For less critical mandatory instructions the following symbol (blue background) should be used with appropriate instruction:

  .4 Important notes may be emphasized with symbol and style of instructions similar to the following:

  .5 Prohibited actions should use the following symbol (coloured red) and style of instruction:

  3.2.4 Inspection and maintenance

The items for weekly and monthly inspection/maintenance and other inspection/maintenance should each be explained separately.