Maintenance ServicesOverload TestingCruise ShipsShipping
THE SOLUTION
Survival Craft Inspectorate Ltd has developed a cost effective solution to the new SOLAS requirements with our new Survival Craft Overload Test Kit, which comprises waterbags, interconnecting pipes, a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic ram and instrumentation.
Our mobile teams of engineers together with the Survival Craft Overload Test Kit, can meet your vessel at any port, worldwide and perform the examination and tests in full compliance with SOLAS 96 without the need to launch the lifeboats. This is particularly useful when the boat is in dry dock or if the weather conditions or other factors make launching the boats an unsafe and costly option.
This consists of two linked stages. Firstly, the integrity of the hull and davit and winch wire system is tested by applying a load of 1.1 times the maximum load of a loaded boat and secondly, the release hooks are tested under load to prove that they operate properly. The procedure can be summarised as follows:
1. The entire system, comprising the winch, davit, fall wires, release hooks and the boat itself is subjected to a thorough examination by our fully trained specialist engineers. Any defects are remedied and the system is then made ready for testing.
2. The water bags are loaded into the boat and the interconnecting piping is fitted.
3. The bags are filled to the required weight and the system is checked visually,
4. The bags are then emptied, remotely, by an air-operated pump, without any requirement for personnel to enter the lifeboat.
5. The maintenance pendants are fitted.
6. The Survival craft hydraulic test kit is then set up so that a hydraulic ram is fitted to the release hook,
7. Pressure is gradually increased until the load is equivalent to 1.1 times the maximum load on the hook.
8. The release hooks are then operated under load.
9. The company representative and class surveyor can witness these tests.
BENEFITS
Survival Craft OVERLOAD TESTING
Survival Craft Inspectorate is a world leader in testing, installing, commissioning and maintaining lifeboats, rescue craft, davits and other life saving equipment.WHAT IS REQUIRED?
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Fall wires to be turned end for end at intervals of not more than 30 months and renewed at 5 years or in lieu of end for ending, renewed whenever necessary or at intervals of not more than 4 years
- Lifeboat release gear to be subjected to a thorough examination and tested by properly trained personnel
- System operationally tested under a load of 1.1 times the total mass of the lifeboat every 5 years
- Upon completion of the examination the system should be subjected to a dynamic test of the winch brake
THE SOLUTION
Survival Craft Inspectorate Ltd has developed a cost effective solution to the new SOLAS requirements with our new Survival Craft Overload Test Kit, which comprises waterbags, interconnecting pipes, a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic ram and instrumentation.
Our mobile teams of engineers together with the Survival Craft Overload Test Kit, can meet your vessel at any port, worldwide and perform the examination and tests in full compliance with SOLAS 96 without the need to launch the lifeboats. This is particularly useful when the boat is in dry dock or if the weather conditions or other factors make launching the boats an unsafe and costly option.
This consists of two linked stages. Firstly, the integrity of the hull and davit and winch wire system is tested by applying a load of 1.1 times the maximum load of a loaded boat and secondly, the release hooks are tested under load to prove that they operate properly. The procedure can be summarised as follows:
1. The entire system, comprising the winch, davit, fall wires, release hooks and the boat itself is subjected to a thorough examination by our fully trained specialist engineers. Any defects are remedied and the system is then made ready for testing.
2. The water bags are loaded into the boat and the interconnecting piping is fitted.
3. The bags are filled to the required weight and the system is checked visually,
4. The bags are then emptied, remotely, by an air-operated pump, without any requirement for personnel to enter the lifeboat.
5. The maintenance pendants are fitted.
6. The Survival craft hydraulic test kit is then set up so that a hydraulic ram is fitted to the release hook,
7. Pressure is gradually increased until the load is equivalent to 1.1 times the maximum load on the hook.
8. The release hooks are then operated under load.
9. The company representative and class surveyor can witness these tests.
BENEFITS
- Survival craft specialist lifeboat and davit engineers prepare the system for test. Ordinary lifting engineers are not qualified to do this work.
- It is not necessary to launch the boat - this is a safer and more cost-effective method.
- Nobody needs to be on board the boat during the overload test.
- The entire process is documented in accordance with our strict ISO 9001:2000 management system.
- We carry large stocks of spares, should these be required.
