6.1.2 Launching appliances using falls and a winch
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
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 - 6.1.2 Launching appliances using falls and a winch

6.1.2 Launching appliances using falls and a winch

  6.1.2.1 Every launching appliance using falls and a winch except for secondary launching appliances for free-fall lifeboats, shall comply with the requirements of paragraph 6.1.1 and in addition shall comply with the requirements of this paragraph:

  6.1.2.2 The launching mechanism shall be so arranged that it may be actuated by one person from a position on the ship's deck and, except for secondary launching appliances for free-fall lifeboats, from a position within the survival craft or rescue boat. When launched by a person on the deck, the survival craft or rescue boat shall be visible to that person.

  6.1.2.3 Falls shall be of rotation resistant and corrosion resistant steel wire rope.

  6.1.2.4 In the case of a multiple drum winch, unless an efficient compensatory device is fitted, the falls shall be so arranged as to wind off the drums at the same rate when lowering, and to wind on to the drums evenly at the same rate when hoisting.

  6.1.2.5 The winch brakes of a launching appliance shall be of sufficient strength to withstand:

  • .1 a static test with a proof load of not less than 1.5 times the maximum working load; and

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

  6.1.2.6 An efficient hand gear shall be provided for recovery of each survival craft and rescue boat. Hand gear handles or wheels shall not be rotated by moving parts of the winch when the survival craft or rescue boat is being lowered or when it is being hoisted by power.

  6.1.2.7 Where davit arms are recovered by power, safety devices shall be fitted which will automatically cut off the power before the davit arms reach the stops in order to prevent overstressing the falls or davits, unless the motor is designed to prevent such overstressing.

  6.1.2.8 The speed at which the fully loaded survival craft or rescue boat is lowered to the water shall not be less than that obtained from the formula:

  • where S is the lowering speed in metres per second and H is the height in metres from the davit head to the waterline with the ship at the lightest sea-going condition.

  6.1.2.9 The lowering speed of a fully equipped liferaft without persons onboard shall be to the satisfaction of the Administration. The lowering speed of other survival craft, fully equipped but without persons on board, shall be at least 70%, of that required by paragraph 6.1.2.8.

  6.1.2.10 The maximum lowering speed shall be established by the Administration having regard to the design of the survival craft or rescue boat, the protection of its occupants from excessive forces, and the strength of the launching arrangements taking into account inertia forces during an emergency stop. Means shall be incorporated in the appliance to ensure that this speed is not exceeded.

  6.1.2.11 Every launching appliance shall be fitted with brakes capable of stopping the descent of the survival craft or rescue boat and holding it securely when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment; brake pads shall, where necessary, be protected from water and oil.

  6.1.2.12 Manual brakes shall be so arranged that the brake is always applied unless the operator, either on deck or in the survival craft or rescue boat, holds the brake control in the "off" position.

  6.1.2.13 A lifeboat launching appliance shall be provided with means for hanging-off the lifeboat to free the on-load release mechanism for maintenance.

Parent topic: 6.1 Launching and embarkation appliances
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.