14-NT (09)/2008                                                               

Dated: 29^th January,  2009 

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

1. Background:- 

            Having realized that in recent past, enclosed life boats are delegated with additional utility of a rescue boat, comply with most of the design parameters of a rescue boat, accepted by Indian Maritime Administration as rescue boat and taking cognizance of areas of concern viz; recovery in foul weather conditions, increasing number of accidents and difficulties faced during retrieval of survivals / Man Over Board (MOB) situations and wherein, certain Port State regimes have already begun strict enforcement, the Directorate hereby draws following requirements for existing vessels where one of the enclosed / semi enclosed life boat is entrusted with the responsibilities of a rescue boat.   

2. Provisions / References:- 

            SOLAS Reg. III/17.5,

MSC.Res. 218(82) / VI / 6.1.1.11

SOLAS Reg. III/16.2,

MSC.Res. 218(82) / VI / 6.1.2.13 

3. Application:-  

       From 01-04-2009, these provisions shall apply to all existing Indian vessels, fitted with enclosed life boats, (or semi enclosed life boats) having boat fall bob weight of 7 kg. or more,  not having dedicated rescue boat.

However, if the length of the conventional long link suspension chain or wire, where it   is considered not to constitute a danger, is more than 1.25 meters up to boat lifting hook and last long link or similar attachment is less than 7 kg in weight, provisions of this M.S. Notice No.12/ 2009 need not apply.                   

4.  Requirement:-  

i)                   Such vessels shall carry one set of approved Recovery Strops.

ii)                  Such vessels shall carry one set of approved Hanging off Pendants.

iii)                 The realistic drill involving: sighting, retrieval of a survivor, handling of a stretcher and aspect
        of recovery of such rescue boat in Beaufort Sea State scale 4 and above, in not more than
        three months intervals.   

iv)                Renewal / proof testing of Recovery Strops and Hanging off Pendent by the classification
       society or a DGS approved (for survival craft equipment) testing center on five yearly basis. 

v)                Where the recovery arrangements entail disembarkation at a deck level other than the
      embarkation deck, bowsing arrangements should be provided for both decks. 

vi)              In case of recovery strops and hanging off pendants, certificates of tests, issued by agency in
      sub-para IV) above, should be provided on board and be made available for inspection.   

5. Material and Testing:-  

i)                When considering the strength and the testing of the recovery strops, hanging off pendants and
     davit structure, a working load consisting of the weight of the rescue boat (enclosed life boat),
     it’s full equipment with provisions plus six (6) persons of 75 kg each, should be used.   

ii)              Recovery strops which may be of nylon or other similar suitable material, at least 1.5 metre,
     having a factor of safety of at least 6 based upon the breaking strength of the strop. 

iii)             Hanging off Pendants may be made of wire ropes, at least 4.5 metres long with safety factor of 6
    based upon the breaking strength of the wire.  The Hanging of pendant attachments on the davit
    should be designed with a factor of safety of at least 4.5, based upon the ultimate tensile test of
    the material.  

iv)            Davit structure should maintain a factor of safety of 4.5, when hanging off the working load with
    the ship trimmed upto 10⁰ and listed upto 20⁰ each side.   

v)             One such arrangement is illustrated in the attached Annex to this notice.  It is accepted that their
   may be a number of different arrangements which will achieve the same results, in accepting life
  boats which are also rescue boats, Surveyors should ensure such facilities are of equivalent
  efficiency, suitability for the purpose  and duly tested. 

vi)          The equipment described in this notice should be fitted to all ships constructed on or after 1^st July
 1986 to any life boat and davit nominated as a rescue boat.  Ship-owners, Ship Managers and
 Classifications Societies should if necessary consult the manufactures of the life boat davits on
 the provision of the necessary fittings and equipment before the next safety equipment survey is
 required.

 sd/- 

(Capt. S. K. Shukla)

Nautical Surveyor-cum-
Dy. Director General of Shipping (Technical)

Encl.: Annex