Section 2 Certification procedure

2.1.1 Following satisfactory completion of all the conditions required for the issue of certification by LR, the Register of Ship’s Lifting Appliances and Cargo Handling Gear – LA.1, or the equivalent National Authority form, is to be issued and the appropriate loose gear, rope and appliance test certificates attached.

2.1.2 Where LR’s Surveyors have not witnessed the testing of loose gear, a manufacturer’s certificate of test is to be supplied and the information entered on the appropriate certificates issued by the Surveyor.

2.1.3 Where part of a survey is carried out at a manufacturer’s works away from the shipbuilding port, a report is to be issued covering the survey together with any loose gear certificates. The appropriate test certificate is only to be issued upon satisfactory completion of onboard tests and inspection.

2.1.4 The Register of Ship’s Lifting Appliances and Cargo Handling Gear is to be endorsed in Parts I and II and, if specifically requested by the Owner, a factual report may also be issued.

2.2.1 Provided the existing register is valid and up to date and complete with all certificates, it is to be endorsed upon satisfactory completion of the survey. It is normally sufficient to endorse the register and attach any new certificates, but a factual report may also be issued if requested by the Owner.

2.2.2 In view of the attitude that some National Authorities adopt with respect to the competence and independence of the person carrying out the survey, such as ship’s officer, it is recommended that for registers issued by LR only LR’s Surveyors carry out the survey if delays and inconvenience to Owners are to be avoided.

2.2.3 If re-testing is carried out, as in the case of an LAQC (every fifth or fourth year, depending on whether or not the ship has adopted the five-year cycle in accordance with ILO Convention 152), a new Form LA.2 is to be issued. Where the register is not on LR’s forms the existing register is to be endorsed and LA.2 issued.

2.2.4 The appropriate section of the register is to be endorsed, Part I for the appliance and Part II for the loose gear.

2.2.5 LA.1 is to be issued as a replacement register for old or full LR Registers. The old book is to be stapled to the back of new LA.1 to maintain the service history.

2.2.6 The LA.1 may be issued as a replacement register of lifting appliances on an LR classed ship, where the existing register was originally issued by another competent authority. However, it is to be clearly endorsed on the front cover that it is issued by LR as a supplement to the prior LA.1 register of lifting appliances (giving details of the previous issuing authority, certificate number and date). The old LA.1 register of lifting appliances, or supporting documentation from the previous issuer, is to be stapled to the back of new LA.1 issued by LR to maintain the service and certification history. For cases where no valid certification (see Ch 1, 1.2 Certification) or LA.1 register of lifting appliances exists, reference is made to Ch 12, 3.3 Initial Survey of existing installations.

2.2.7 Where an LR Surveyor has carried out a thorough examination and witnessed load testing on LR classed ships whose lifting appliances were not originally certified by LR, LA.2 and LA.2U certificates are to be issued and the existing register book issued by a competent body is to be endorsed accordingly.

2.2.8 Occasionally, where the LR Surveyor witnesses, at Owner’s/Flag Administration’s request, load testing on lifting appliances not certified by LR, only a factual report (Form 1124) is to be issued and it should clearly be stated in the report that this does not constitute certification by LR.

2.2.9 ‘Condition of Class’ is only to be imposed upon ‘Classed’ lifting appliances. For ‘Certified’ lifting appliances, where necessary, the memoranda/narrative section of the report is to be used.

2.2.10 Any replacement items of loose gear or ropes must be accompanied by a manufacturer’s test certificate, see also Ch 13, 2.1 Initial Surveys 2.1.2.

2.3.1 As for all surveys, before undertaking a damage survey it should be verified that the existing register is valid and up to date. It will not be possible for surveys to be undertaken by LR where the register is not available or not valid and up to date, except in exceptional circumstances.

2.3.2 The register is to be endorsed indicating the extent of the survey even if it was not possible to complete the repairs.

2.3.3 A factual report (Form 1124) is to be issued, clearly stating:

1. Who requested the attendance.

2. The stated cause of the damage.

3. The extent and nature of the damage found.

4. The extent and nature of repairs carried out and whether the repairs were complete.

5. The test load applied.

6. Whether any part of the gear is not to be used pending further action, replacement, etc.

2.4.1 Where a deferment of survey has been granted, see Ch 12, 3.5 Deferment of surveys, the register is to be endorsed and a factual report is to be issued.

2.5.1 Surveys not previously specified will be specially considered or will be covered by separate instructions, since they will normally involve the specific requirements of a National Authority.

2.6.1 An overview over the certification process and the required and issued documentation is provided in Table 13.2.1 Minimum requirements for the certification of lifting appliances.