Procedure for replacement of non-compliant lifeboat release and retrieval systems
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC.1/Circular.1392 – Guidelines for Evaluation and Replacement of Lifeboat Release and Retrieval Systems – (27 May 2011) - Annex – Guidelines for Evaluation and Replacement of Lifeboat Release and Retrieval Systems - Procedure for replacement of non-compliant lifeboat release and retrieval systems

Procedure for replacement of non-compliant lifeboat release and retrieval systems

  18 The procedure outlined below should be followed in all cases where a lifeboat is to be fitted with replacement lifeboat release and retrieval systems with on-load release capability. It is noted that every lifeboat, complete with lifeboat release and retrieval system, is type-approved at manufacture and it is important to recognize that a lifeboat which is retro-fitted with a replacement lifeboat release and retrieval system to the satisfaction of the Administration should be regarded as offering a level of safety which is higher than that of the original installation.

  19 Companies should, where possible, select replacement equipment acceptable to the lifeboat manufacturer. However, in cases where the lifeboat manufacturer is unable to offer a suitable replacement lifeboat release and retrieval system, the Company may select an alternative lifeboat release and retrieval system, with the agreement, if possible, of the lifeboat manufacturer.

  20 The replacement equipment should be approved by the Administration or a recognized organization acting on its behalf, under the provisions of the LSA Code. Prior to the installation commencing, the Company should submit to the Administration, or a recognized organization acting on its behalf, for review and approval, as a minimum the following information:

  • .1 the proposed replacement equipment including approval certification;

  • .2 the engineering analysis of the replacement installation including:

    • .1 drawings of the original lifeboat release and retrieval system arrangement;

    • .2 detailed drawings showing clearly the proposed changes (e.g., position of suspension, lifeboat release and retrieval system, fixed structural connections of the release mechanism, link plates, including materials used for nuts and bolts with regard to strength and corrosion resistance); and

    • .3 if the drawings show that forces and/or force couples will change and/or the lifeboat release and retrieval system fixed structural connections of the release mechanism will change, calculation of static forces including a safety factor of 6, according to the LSA Code, from lifeboat release and retrieval system into lifeboat structure, including tension and shear forces in bolts, link plates, welds and keel shoe(s);

  • .3 considering that a lifeboat release and retrieval system does not consist just of the hook assemblies themselves, but also of release handles, cabling, etc., in the lifeboat, the evaluation of a replacement hook assembly other than that originally provided in the lifeboat should include such factors as loadings of the release handle on the console, efficiency of any hydrostatic interlock in light and loaded conditions, whether the size/configuration of the replacement equipment would affect the stability or seating space of the lifeboat, and its compatibility with its launching appliance;

  • .4 amended operating and training manuals; and

  • .5 identification of the person(s) responsible for design appraisal, installation work and post-installation testing and evidence of their competence.

  21 The Administration, or a recognized organization acting on its behalf, may allow that hook fixed structural connections of the release mechanism and supporting structure which are not made of material resistant to corrosion in the marine environment, as required by paragraph 4.4.7.6.9 of the LSA Code, need not be replaced if they are in a good condition and installed in a sheltered position inside the lifeboat. The assessment for verifying that fixed structural connections and supporting structures are in 'good condition' should be carried out by the manufacturer or by one of its representatives in accordance with paragraph 23 below.

The assessment for verification is not required if the materials of the foundation, bolts and supporting structure, both internally and externally, are made of materials resistant to corrosion in the marine environment.

.1 Method of assessment:

  • The assessment of fixed structural connections of the release mechanism and supporting structures should be carried out according to the manual developed by the manufacturer. However, if either such a manual or the original equipment manufacturer, or any entity which has taken legal and legitimate responsibilities for equipment when the original equipment manufacturer no longer exists or supports the equipment, do not exist, this assessment should be carried out according to the following method:
  • .1 100% visual examination of all components within clear sight in order to assess the general condition and look for signs of corrosion. No dismantling or removal of components is required at this stage.
  • .2 At least 25% of bolts for each hook fixation should be removed for visual examinationfootnote. Additionally, a non-destructive testing (NDT) technique, such as magnetic particle inspection (MPI), where suitable, may be applied. If any of the removed bolts of the hook fixation shows signs of corrosion or are deemed to be in "bad condition", then the rest of the bolts for the same hook fixation should be removed and examined. As a general rule, any bolt that has lost material to corrosion of 2% from the original dimensions should be deemed to be "in bad condition" and replaced. Replacement bolts are to be made of material corrosion resistant in the marine environment based on a like for like principle.
  • .3 If fixed structural connections of the release mechanism or supporting structures show signs of corrosion, then ultrasonic thickness measurement and corrosion mapping should be performed. For this non-destructive examination (NDE) to be possible, the probes need to have adequate access and the surface needs to be smooth and appropriate for ultrasonic scanning. As a general rule, a backing plate that has suffered corrosion wastage of 10% or more from the original plate thickness should be deemed to be "in bad condition" and replaced. Replacement of structural connections, backing plates, etc. are to be made of materials resistant to corrosion in the marine environment and based on a like for like principle.
  • .4 If after the assessment, the bolts, backing plates, keel shoes, etc. are in good condition, then all parts are to be cleaned and recoated, if necessary.

.2 Backing plates and bolts installed outside the lifeboat and deemed to be in 'good condition' after the assessment need not be replaced even when not made of material resistant to corrosion in the marine environment.

  22 A copy of the engineering drawing(s) approved by the Administration, or by the recognized organization acting on its behalf, should be used during installation and testing and retained on board.

  23 The installation should be carried out by the manufacturer or by one of their representatives. All work carried out should be witnessed by the Administration, or by a recognized organization acting on its behalf. Valid operating and safety instructions should be posted at the operating position and adjacent to the lifeboat release and retrieval system(s).

  24 Post-installation testing should be carried out by the manufacturer or by one of their representatives and comprise the following:

  • .1 1.1 x load and simultaneous release test according to the Revised recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances (resolution MSC.81(70)), part 2, paragraph 5.3.1, or an equivalent method acceptable to the Administration;

  • .2 load test according to the Revised recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances (resolution MSC.81(70)), part 2, paragraph 5.3.4, as amended by resolution MSC.226(82), if the fixed structural connections of the release mechanism of the lifeboat is modified; and

  • .3 if the lifeboat is also a rescue boat and/or is installed on a cargo ship of 20,000 gross tonnage or above, the 5 knots installation test should be carried out, in accordance with the Revised recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances (resolution MSC.81(70)), part 2, paragraph 5.4.

  25 All tests should be witnessed by the Administration, or by a recognized organization acting on its behalf, which should also verify that the installation complies in all respects with the documentation submitted by the Company and approved by the Administration, or a recognized organization acting on its behalf.

  26 Following completion of installation testing, the Administration, or a recognized organization acting on its behalf, should issue a Statement of Acceptance, using the template set out in appendix 4, to the Company, for retention on board.

Parent topic: Annex – Guidelines for Evaluation and Replacement of Lifeboat Release and Retrieval Systems
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