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Free Fall Lifeboats: what maintenance is required (and how to do it) ?

Written by Capt Rajeev Jassal on April 23, 2016
66
They say, A friend in need is a friend indeed. On board ships, who can be your real friend who will help when you are in real need. Did I hear, Life saving equipments ?  You are absolutely correct. Life saving equipments are the only equipments on board which are for us. Do you agree ? Free Fall Lifeboat These are not there because of any cargo requirement, or any commercial need. And yet, we find so many observations on life saving equipments during external inspections. For example, as per USCG, detentions due to "rescue boat" was one of the top 5 deficiencies in 2015. Isn't it a worrying factor ? It surely is. Deficiency Areas USCG But why do we have so many observations on life saving equipments ? There are 3 factors that contribute to maintenance issues Maintenance not done as per schedule Person responsible for maintenance not sure what maintenance to do Spares / required stores not available So Lets see what maintenance we need to do on free fall lifeboats to ensure that everything is alright. Lowering requirement of Free fall lifeboat As per SOLAS we need to lower the free fall lifeboat as follows Every 3 months Every 3 months we can lower the lifeboat either by f...

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Comments (66)

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  • Rahul Srivastava April 25, 2016
    Quite elaborate and informative article.
    1

    Rajeev Jassal April 25, 2016
    Happy that you liked it Rahul...

  • seaman April 25, 2016
    hi, hydraulic hoses of the freefall L/B davit has to be renewed every 5 yrs or as condition permits. denso to be applied on the couplings to prevent corrosion. there are 2 school of thoughts on this.. whether to apply denso or not. if not applied, u risk corrosion but are sure of the condition of hose couplings. what would u suggest? another doubt on ur anchoring article.. after anchor brought up, is it a good practice to secure the anchor chain on the windlass brake or keep the load on the bow stopper? i have seen different masters following different practices.. please advise
    2

    Rajeev Jassal April 25, 2016
    MSC Circ 1206 Rev 1 gives a detailed information on what all elements need to be checked during annual & 5yearly inspections and it mentions checking the condition of hydraulic hoses. There is no statutory requirement per se to change the hoses but it is considered as the best practice to change the hose & many companies have renewal of hose as a 5 yearly job in their PMS. As you rightly said about denso, these are useful but does not eliminate the need of checking the coupling at an specified interval in PMS. If applied, there should be a PMS job to remove and check the condition of coupling say every 6 months. Thanks for pointing out these very good points.

    Rajeev Jassal April 25, 2016
    Regarding the anchoring, both school of thoughts are right. Both methods have pros & cons as I have mentioned in that blog. As I had said, the problem with chain resting on the stopper is that in high wind force, the stopper can deform and in emergency we may not be able to pick up the anchor. But if we combine this fact with the fact that most of the companies do not allow the vessels to stay at anchor if wind force is more than 6, the stopper should not deform. I personally used to rest the cable on the stopper but it would be wrong to say that other method is completely incorrect.

  • Amit May 9, 2016
    I have seen FFLB without hydraulic release system, fitted with normal lever and wire system to lock down the hook which is holding the boat with a strong point on ship by means of a chain. So how to do the onload release testing on such system . Secondly what is frequency of onload release testing on both types of boats.?
    1

    Rajeev Jassal May 10, 2016
    If you have system with no Hydraulic to lower the FFLB, for 5 year load test, physical weights (like sand bags) equivalent to the 1.1 times the weight of fully loaded boat (empty boat + full complements + all equipments) are put into the lifeboat. It is then secured with the davit as a safety measure and released from inside the boat. Test will pass if we are able to release the boat with this full load.

  • milan July 30, 2016
    Good day sir i really liked all ur articles, dey are elaborated quite well,sir i heard term ERD ,what does dis mean?
    1

    Rajeev Jassal September 20, 2016
    Hi Milan, sorry to have missed your comment. If by ERD you mean Emergency recovery Device (called recovery stropes) then it is Nylon straps used for recovery of on load release lifeboat in heavy weather.

  • avinasha September 3, 2016
    thank you sir , very informative , especially the photos makes understanding very easy.
    1

    Rajeev Jassal September 20, 2016
    Glad you liked it Avinasha..

  • Mayank September 21, 2016
    Hi Rajeev, very nice article. But SOLAS reg 20-11.2.4 suggests the Free fall lifeboat does not need to be tested at 1.1 times her load. The test can be carried out with only the operating crew onboard or by a simulated launching as per MSC Circ. 1206
    1

    Rajeev Jassal September 22, 2016
    Thanks Mayank for correcting me. You are right. This amendment was adopted in 2012 by MSC. Even though this test is not required by SOLAS, this is still done in dry dock if the class insists or company want it to be done. I have now made some change in wording to adopt the correction pointed out by you.. Thanks

  • Mayank September 21, 2016
    For the on load release gear test i meant
    0

  • Jakub October 27, 2016
    Hi Rajeev, One question. The free fall boat HAVE to be launched in the water every three months, or 6 months?
    1

    Rajeev Jassal October 28, 2016
    SOLAS want us to try to lower by free fall every 3 months But if it is not possible for some reasons, it allows us to lower the lifeboat with davit and then manoeuvre once every 3 months but it must be lowered by free fall atleast every 6 months. So it is OK to lower the lifeboat by free fall every 6 months but it must be manoeuvred in water every 3 months.

  • Glenn November 26, 2016
    Good day sir Rajeev, I have one question regarding lashing of FFLB is it necessary to remove during emergency?. The lashing of FFLB is quit small and its look like cannot withstand with the wait of FFLB.
    1

    UDAYVEER SINGH January 29, 2017
    HI SIR I HAVE ONE QUESTION REGARDING FREE FALL LAFE BOAT, IS THERE ANY REQUIREMENT TO REMOVE L.B LASHING(TURN BUCKLE ) PRIOR PORT STAY, IF YES, IT IS AS PER WHICH REGULATION.

  • Ajay_Sailor January 8, 2017
    Dear Sir, what is the minimum depth of water, required for launching of FFLB, for the 3/6 monthly test.
    0

  • Aung san March 30, 2017
    Very good
    0

  • Asagar Abbas July 23, 2017
    Dear Sir, kindly advise if life boat can be painted on board?
    0

  • sherif September 11, 2017
    good day will change lifeboat wires and sheaves and my question is should i made load test after replacing this parts or not ? FYI next load test date after 1 year from now thanx and best regards Sherif
    0

  • Pawan Duggirala January 18, 2018
    Dear Capt.Rajeev, Appreciate your very well written articles. I see the hard work required in keeping the articles updates to the latest, May i suggest change to procedure for simulated launch :- (MSC.1/Circ.1578) revoking Annex 2 to MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev1. "The new guidelines emphasise that simulated launching carried out during drills is a means ......achieved without the physical activation of the lifeboat’s release mechanism." Source : http://info.lr.org/l/12702/2017-10-13/4d4n9m
    0

  • sharad gupta January 18, 2018
    i really enjoy reading your articles sir. keep up the good work. your articles show the immense hard work you have done and knowledge you have gained and shared. i have read almost all the articles and has really helped me dispe lmy doubts. thank you so much.
    0

  • isaac Owonikoko June 13, 2018
    Nice right up sir please can you give me names of device that clean /maintain vessel
    0

  • Sumit Juneja July 23, 2018
    Thanks a lot. Very nicely explained in simple words.
    0

  • Mohammad Irshad Ahmad August 9, 2018
    Good morning sir How much depth of water need for free fall life boat . When we launching free fall boat
    0

  • 3rdOff March 6, 2019
    Many thanks for this blog, really good and clearly written about everything. GL
    0

  • Rrr April 4, 2019
    HOW DO WE GET EFFECTIVE AREA OF HYDRAULIC CYLINDER A , MENTIONED IN EQN.
    0

  • Kumar April 13, 2019
    Nice article Sir,easy to understand. Q. When to secure the boat with Harbor pin?
    0

  • Nikhil Vakati July 15, 2019
    Sir, Maintenance for davit launched lifeboat
    0

  • Gaurav July 25, 2019
    if vessel involved in collision by the stern or the aft portion of ship under fire, how a free fall lifeboat can be launched?
    0

  • Nguyễn Văn Lạng July 28, 2019
    Thanks a lot. Very nicely explained in simple words. By the way, could you please have a article regarding RESCUE BOAT like the article above. Thanks sir and Best Regards !
    1

    Nguyen Van Hien April 13, 2023
    I usually service the rescue boat and launching appliance, so i can explain more for you if you need

  • Kumud Ranjan September 17, 2019
    Sir, your all article are very helpful for me candidate like me.it is a blessing that people like you are writing blog .I kindly request you to plz make video on these topic it will be very helpful for seafarer.The way of writing article make it immense helpful.thank a lot sir.
    0

  • Marcelo Recio September 25, 2019
    Dear Capt. Rajeev: I have seen several FFLB where the lashing for preventing the boat to "jump" during bad wheather is linked to the ship´s structure through a hidrostatic release unit. Eventually, the purpose of this HRU should be to allow the boat to float free in case it is not possible to launch it before the ship sinks. I have followed the lashing wire and also inspected the release gear and it seems that the system would indeed work in a real situation. But nevertheless, I would like to know if that "solution" comes from a SOLAS regulation or if it comes from on board practices and experience. I have read SOLAS and also LSA Code but didn´t find anything related to that matter. With regard to HRUs employed, they normally are not the disposable ones which nowadays are common sight on board. They are the stainless steel serviceable type, which implies that if their use is mandatory the should be serviced at least annualy . I would highly appreciate any advise or information about this matter. Thank you very much in advance.
    0

  • Benedict Ukpebor October 31, 2019
    Which paint specification is required to carry out painting maintenance on the free fall life boat
    0

  • AV November 13, 2019
    Do simulating launching device to be tested and certified annually same as FFB and davit?
    0

  • Ashique January 27, 2020
    Very informative.....thank you very much sir,god bless u...
    0

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  • Tarun February 26, 2020
    Fantastic writing , keep up the great work sir .
    0

  • anishsailor1986 April 4, 2020
    What all ships need free fall lifeboat
    0

  • Mayank Arya June 12, 2020
    Can side launching lifeboats be rescue boat? And how do we distinguish that which side among th two are used for rescue boat ?
    0

  • Cg June 21, 2020
    Hi! Sir. What are the step by step of launching procedure of a free fall life boat and recovery procedures?
    0

  • Amar anand October 12, 2020
    Nice blog sir
    0

  • Vladimir March 4, 2021
    Good day Captain, SOLAS Chapter III, Reg 20.6.2 is for weekly test of lifeboat engine time required.
    0

  • Wooden ship kit - Ages Of Sail March 5, 2021
    That's really nice post. I appreciate your skills. Thanks for sharing.
    0

  • Justin March 9, 2021
    Thank you sir for the information.
    0

  • G Grewal May 18, 2021
    does the free fall life boat davit fall require 5 yearly change as the falls are not used in launching ? as per solas its says Falls used in launching shall be inspected periodically* with special regard for areas passing through sheaves, and renewed when necessary due to deterioration of the falls or at intervals of not more than 5 years, whichever is the earlier. * Refer to Measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats (MSC.1/Circ.1206).
    0

  • Ranie May 22, 2021
    Good day Sir, Can i ask if there any requirements to re-paint the LB..?
    0

  • Wood ship kit - Ages Of Sail May 26, 2021
    That's really nice post. I appreciate your skills. Thanks for sharing.
    0

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  • Ananth Karthik Jayakrishnan November 7, 2021
    Excellent writeup. Very Well explained. Loved the simplicity with which you explain all your topics. Do keep up the good work. I really do enjoy reading all your article.
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    Thank you.
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  • Francisco Pedro April 8, 2022
    Thank Captain, always dropping knowledge
    0

  • ANATAIEL SALABANZI March 2, 2023
    Bonjour, est ce que c'est possible de souder un vérin de levage du bossoir du free fall ayant une zone rouillée.
    0

  • ANATAIEL SALABANZI March 2, 2023
    Je voulais savoir lorsqu'on fait un quinquennal de free fall, quelle est la capacité à prendre en compte pour lever la charge? celle du bossoir ( avec deux bras) ou du treuil ? pour effectuer le load test du bossoir.
    0

  • P.Yadav April 29, 2023
    Please kindly eleborate ,what is the requirement of free fall lifeboat launching with release hook mechanism while Davit launching.is it 3 monthly or 6 monthly or testing release hook mechanism during annual survey.please eleboarte sir
    0

Capt Rajeev Jassal

About Capt Rajeev Jassal

Capt. Rajeev Jassal has sailed for over 24 years mainly on crude oil, product and chemical tankers. He holds MBA in shipping & Logistics degree from London. He has done extensive research on quantitatively measuring Safety culture onboard and safety climate ashore which he believes is the most important element for safer shipping.

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