Are You Doing All These Checks on Your Davit Type Lifeboats

I earlier said, Life saving equipments are the best friends we have on board. And it is our responsibility to keep these in shape. Each life saving equipment is our friend and we all agree that. But like in real friends we need to give "Life saving equipment" our time that it deserves. How about saying a "Hello" to lifebuoy once every month. Or saying hello to lifeboat engine every week by testing it. If we give our time to these appliances, these will remain our friends. If we do not, they will not. It is a simple give and take. For example, Let me tell a short story of the times I was a 2nd mate. The third mate told me, what can happen to a lifebuoy during its lifetime. These are there and we just need to check if these are in numbers that is required. Few day after, during PSC inspection it was found that lifebuoys were too heavy. Lifebuoys had the sea water soaked into it through a plug that was supposed to be watertight. You see how these friends can get angry !! But can we keep these in shape if we do not know what is required to maintain these. Or what elements we need to check for life saving equipments. This guide will deal with the inspections required on davit type lifeboats as well as the best way to conduct the inspection. Let us start. Life boat (except free fall lifeboats) Lifeboat ...