6 Launching and Stowage Arrangements

  6.1.1 Each launching appliance, except the winch, should be tested with a static load of 2.2 times the working load with the appliance in the full outboard position. For a free-fall lifeboat launching appliance, each launching ramp and its connection to the release mechanism should be tested with a static load of 2.2 times the working load. The appliance should not be deformed or damaged. Winches with the brakes applied should be tested by applying a static load of 1.5 times the maximum working load. Any cast components of the frame and arm should be hammer-tested to determine that they are sound and without flaw.

  6.1.2 The survival craft or rescue boat, loaded with its normal equipment or an equivalent mass and a distributed mass equivalent to that of the number of persons, each weighing 75 kg or 82.5 kg, as applicable, it is permitted to accommodate, should be released by operation of the launching control on deck. The speed at which the survival craft or rescue boat is lowered into the water should be not less than that obtained from the formula:

The maximum lowering speed established by the Administration should not be exceeded.

  6.1.3 The survival craft or rescue boat loaded with its normal equipment or an equivalent mass should be released by operation of the launching control on deck to demonstrate that the lifeboat's mass is sufficient to overcome the frictional resistance of the winch, falls, blocks and associated gear. The lowering speed should be as established by the Administration. A person should then board the survival craft or rescue boat and perform a test of the launching operation from within the boat.

  6.1.4 The requirements of 6.1.2 and 6.1.3 do not apply to free-fall lifeboats.

  6.1.5 The survival craft or rescue boat loaded with its normal equipment or an equivalent mass and a distributed mass equal to that of the number of persons, each weighing 75 kg or 82.5 kg, as applicable, it is permitted to accommodate + 10% of the working load, should be released by the operation of the launching controls on deck. When the craft has reached its maximum lowering speed, the brake should be abruptly applied to demonstrate that the attachments of the davits and winches to the ship's structure are satisfactory. The maximum lowering speed established by the Administration should not be exceeded.

  6.1.6 If lowering of the lifeboat is controlled from within the lifeboat by means of a control wire paid off from an auxiliary drum on the winch, the following additional points should receive particular consideration after installation of the davits and winches:

• .1 the mass on the control wire should be sufficient to overcome the friction of the various pulleys on the control wire, when turning out the lifeboat from the stowed to the embarkation position;

• .2 it should be possible to operate the winch brake from within the lifeboat;

• .3 the winch brake should not be affected by the mass of the fully extended control wire;

• .4 there should be sufficient length of control wire available at the lifeboat, during all stages of lowering; and

• .5 means should be provided to retain the free end of the control wire in the lifeboat until the lifeboat is detached from the launching appliance by the operator.

  6.1.7 If the winch brake is exposed to the weather, the lowering test should be repeated with the braking surface wetted.

  6.1.8 It should be demonstrated that the davit-launched lifeboat or rescue boat can be recovered to its stowage position by means of operating the hand gear and can be safely and properly secured.

  6.1.9 For free-fall lifeboats it should be demonstrated that the survival craft can be recovered to its stowage position and can be safely and properly secured.

  6.1.10 Where davits are recovered by power, it should be demonstrated that the power is automatically cut off before the davit arms come against the stops.

  6.1.11 In the case of rescue boat launching appliances, it should be demonstrated that the fully equipped rescue boat when loaded with a mass equal to that of the number of persons it is approved to carry can be recovered by means of a winch at a rate of no less than 0.3 m/s.

  6.1.12 It should be demonstrated that the rescue boat can be recovered by means of the winch referred to in 6.1.11 using a hand gear.

  6.1.13 It should be demonstrated that adjustable ramps for free-fall launching may be adjusted satisfactorily with the free-fall lifeboat loaded to 1.2 times its related load.

  6.2.1 When the hooks are made of cast steel, acceptable non-destructive tests should be carried out to establish that the material is free from surface or internal flaws.

  6.2.2 Each release hook should be statically proof tested to 2.5 times the safe working load and be provided with an approved testing establishment certificate certifying that it has been so tested.

  6.2.3 Each release hook should be submitted to an operational test with a mass equivalent to the safe working load being applied. The release arrangements should be demonstrated and checked with the liferaft loaded to ensure that the automatic release hook will not release while the load is still applied.

  6.2.4 Each release hook should be checked to ensure it is permanently marked with:

• .1 the manufacturer's name or the approved name of the release hook;

• .2 the date of manufacture;

• .3 the safe working load;

• .4 the number of the test certificate required by 6.2.2; and

• .5 clear, concise operating instructions.

  6.2.5 One liferaft ballasted to represent a 10% overload or an equivalent mass should be lowered from each launching appliance to establish the rate of lowering. The 10% overload should be 10% of the mass of the liferaft assembly together with its equipment and full complement of persons calculated at 82.5 kg per person. It should be jerked to ensure that the liferaft launching appliance, its fastenings and the supporting structures can withstand the associated loads.

  6.2.6 The time should be recorded for the sequence of preparing, loading and launching three liferafts. If so desired, persons may be used only in the preparing and loading operations and ballast substituted for the lowering and launching part of the test. This sequence test need not be carried out on every launching appliance on a ship. However, at least one example of each launching appliance type and arrangement should be so tested on each ship.

  6.2.7 A moderate towing strain should be put on the liferaft when waterborne to check that the release arrangements are satisfactory under this condition.