6.1.4 Launching appliances for free-fall lifeboats
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 - 6.1.4 Launching appliances for free-fall lifeboats

6.1.4 Launching appliances for free-fall lifeboats

  6.1.4.1 Every free-fall launching appliance shall comply with the applicable requirements of paragraph 6.1.1 and, in addition, shall comply with the requirements of this paragraph.

  6.1.4.2 The launching appliance shall be designed and installed so that it and the lifeboat it serves operate as a system to protect the occupants from harmful acceleration forces as required by paragraph 4.7.5, and to ensure effective clearing of the ship as required by paragraphs 4.7.3.1 and 4.7.3.2.

  6.1.4.3 The launching appliance shall be constructed so as to prevent sparking and incendiary friction during the launching of the lifeboat.

  6.1.4.4 The launching appliance shall be designed and arranged so that in its ready to launch position, the distance from the lowest point on the lifeboat it serves to the water surface with the ship in its lightest seagoing condition does not exceed the lifeboat's free-fall certification height, taking into consideration the requirements of paragraph 4.7.3.

  6.1.4.5 The launching appliance shall be arranged so as to preclude accidental release of the lifeboat in its unattended stowed position. If the means provided to secure the lifeboat cannot be released from inside the lifeboat, it shall be so arranged as to preclude boarding the lifeboat without first releasing it.

  6.1.4.6 The release mechanism shall be arranged so that at least two independent actions from inside the lifeboat are required in order to launch the lifeboat.

  6.1.4.7 Each launching appliance shall be provided with a secondary means to launch the lifeboat by falls. Such means shall comply with the requirements of paragraph 6.1.1 (except 6.1.1.3) and paragraph 6.1.2 (except 6.1.2.6). It must be capable of launching the lifeboat against unfavourable conditions of trim of up to only 2° and list of up to only 5° either way and it need not comply with the speed requirements of paragraphs 6.1.2.8 and 6.1.2.9. If the secondary launching appliance is not dependent on gravity, stored mechanical power or other manual means, the launching appliance shall be connected both to the ship's main and emergency power supplies.

  6.1.4.8 The secondary means of launching shall be equipped with at least a single off-load capability to release the lifeboat.

Parent topic: 6.1 Launching and embarkation appliances
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