Amendments applicable to enclosed life boat (when used as a rescue boat) requirements for recovery and maintenance of on-load release mechanism

Applicable to: Existing Indian vessels fitted with enclosed/semi-enclosed life boats

Effective Date: 01-04-2009

Superseded Circulars: None mentioned

Key Changes and Requirements

Vessels with enclosed/semi-enclosed life boats serving as rescue boats must comply with new provisions.

Recovery Strops: Carry one set of approved recovery strops.
Hanging off Pendants: Carry one set of approved hanging off pendants.
Drills: Conduct realistic drills involving rescue scenarios every three months.
Testing: Renewal/proof testing of recovery strops and hanging off pendants every five years.
Certificates: Keep certificates of tests on board for inspection.
Bowsing Arrangements: Provide bowsing arrangements for both decks if recovery entails disembarkation at a different deck level.

Recovery strops, hanging off pendants, and davit structures must meet specific strength and testing requirements.

Working Load: Consider the weight of the rescue boat, full equipment, and six persons (75 kg each).
Recovery Strops: At least 1.5 meters, factor of safety 6, based on breaking strength.
Hanging off Pendants: At least 4.5 meters, factor of safety 6, attachments with factor of safety 4.5.
Davit Structure: Maintain factor of safety 4.5 when hanging off working load with ship trimmed and listed.

Annex Illustration of one such arrangement

Important Note

Surveyors should ensure that alternative arrangements are of equivalent efficiency and suitability for the purpose.

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