9.6 Propulsion and Lift Devices
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Codes - DSC Code - Code of Safety for Dynamically Supported Craft – Resolution A.373(X) - Chapter 9 - Machinery - 9.6 Propulsion and Lift Devices

9.6 Propulsion and Lift Devices

  9.6.1 The requirements of this section are based on the premises that:

  • (a) Propulsion arrangements and lift arrangements may be provided by separate devices, or be integrated into a single propulsion and lift device. Propulsion devices may be air, or water propellers or water jets and the requirements apply to all types of craft, whereas lift devices apply only to air-cushion vehicles.

  • (b) Propulsion devices are those which directly provide the propulsive thrust and include machinery items and any associated ducts, vanes, scoops and nozzles, the primary function of which is to contribute to the propulsive thrust.

  • (c) The lift devices, for the purpose of this section, are those items of machinery which directly raise the pressure of the air and move it for the primary purpose of providing lifting force for an air-cushion vehicle.

  9.6.2 The propulsion and lift devices should be of adequate strength and stiffness. The Administration should be satisfied with the design data and such calculations as are made and where necessary should establish by suitable tests the ability of the device to withstand the loads which can arise during the operations for which the craft is to be certificated, so that the possibility of catastrophic failure is extremely remote footnote.

  9.6.3 The design of propulsion and lift devices should pay due regard to the effects of allowable corrosion, electrolytic action between different metals, erosion or cavitation which may result from operation in environments in which it is subjected to spray, debris, salt, sand, icing, etc.

  9.6.4 The design data and testing of propulsion and lift devices should pay due regard, as appropriate, to any pressures which could be developed as a result of a duct blockage, to steady and cyclic loadings, to loadings due to external forces and to the use of the devices in manoeuvring and reversing and to the axial location of rotating parts.

  9.6.5 The Administration should be satisfied with the arrangements as appropriate to ensure that:

  • (a) ingestion of debris or foreign matter is minimized;

  • (b) the possibility of injury to personnel from shafting or rotating parts is minimized; and

  • (c) where necessary, inspection and removal of debris can be carried out safely in service.


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