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Procedures for replacement of lifeboat

release mechanisms

Guidance note

Introduction
In order to progress application for replacement of release mechanisms to existing lifeboats, Lloyd’s Register
is currently following the procedure outlined below which should be followed in all cases where a lifeboat is
to be fitted with replacement release mechanisms. It should be noted that if the following procedure is not
followed in full the action invalidates the lifeboat approval certificate issued by the lifeboat manufacture,
which invalidates the safety equipment certificate.

1. The Company should select replacement equipment acceptable to the original lifeboat manufacturer. In cases where
the lifeboat manufacturer is unable to offer a suitable replacement release mechanism, the company may select an
alternative release mechanism with the agreement (if possible) of the lifeboat manufacturer.
In this case the company should provide:

(a) Sufficient evidence that they have attempted to obtain acceptance for the proposed changes from the original
lifeboat manufacturer. (e.g. three (3) emails an initial, a follow up and a conclusive email sent to the lifeboat
manufacturer with no reply or written rejection letter).

NB: Where the lifeboat manufacturer rejects a replacement for a technical reason, which in the opinion of the
administration is valid, the proposed equipment should not be installed. Where the applicant is the release gear
manufacturer the company shall confirm in writing that the release gear manufacturer is acting on behalf of the
company for:

i) Design Appraisal.
ii) On site work
iii) Developing a production/installation test procedure.

(b) Where the vessel is classed with another Classification Society, that Society shall be contacted by the applicant
to confirm that they will accept Lloyd’s Register’s procedure for replacement of the lifeboat release gear
mechanism, or they will agree to witness the surveys and issue the certificate as required by this procedure.

2. The company is to submit (via the Lloyd’s Register Local office network) a Request for Services Form 2502 to Lloyd's
Register, MTES Fire and Safety (fire.safety@lr.org) for the work to be completed including details of the vessel's IMO
number, flag, number of lifeboats to have replacement release mechanisms fitted and the following supporting
documentation:

(a) The proposed replacement equipment details including:

i) Type approval certificate* issued by an Administration or a recognized organization acting on its behalf.

* For EU vessels a type examination MED module B certificate together with a declaration of conformity issued
by the manufacturer should be provided.

NB: LR reserves the right to request additional information and/or testing of the release mechanism.

Lloyd’s Register Guidance Note – Procedures for replacement of lifeboat release mechanisms
Ref: MTES/FS/1489 10, Rev. 02, 10th January 2014 1
 (b) The engineering analysis of the replacement installation including:

i) Drawings of the original lifeboat release mechanism arrangement (if possible, confirming that the original
point of suspension of the boat in relation to the boat remains unchanged and that the geometry of the hook
above the centre does not influence adversely the operation of the hook. Structural changes to the tie band
shall be included).

ii) Three sets of detailed drawings showing clearly the proposed changes (e.g. point of suspension, means of
release mechanism anchorage and link plates including materials used for nuts and bolts with regard to
strength and corrosion resistance).

iii) In case the drawings show that forces and/or force couples will change and/or the release mechanism
anchorage will change, calculation of static forces including a safety factor of 6, according to the LSA Code,
from release mechanism into lifeboat structure, including tension and shear forces in bolts, link plates, welds
and keel shoe(s).

(c) The submission should include an elevation of the release handles, cabling, etc. Factors such as loadings of the
release handle on the console, efficiency of any hydrostatic interlock in the light and loaded conditions, whether
the size/configuration of the replacement equipment would effect the lifeboats’ stability or seating space, and
compatibility of the modified lifeboat release mechanism with its launching appliance.

(d) Identification of the person(s) responsible for design appraisal, installation work and post-installation testing and
evidence of their competence.

(e) Amended operating and training manuals. (It is important that the manual includes the details of the nominated
organisation responsible for the annual thorough inspection required by the regulations).

3. The hook foundations and supporting structure, which are not made from material corrosion resistant in the marine
environment, need not be replaced if they are in good condition and installed in a sheltered position inside the lifeboat.

4. When LR is not fully authorised to issue the relevant SOLAS safety certificate, the Flag Administration will be
contacted by Lloyd’s Register, MTES Fire and Safety, to confirm that they will accept the replacement of the release
mechanism on the named vessel. Written confirmation shall be given by the Flag Administration that LR can undertake
this work on their behalf and on satisfactory completion of the work Lloyds Register will issue an installation test
certificate which states that:

– The Safety Equipment certificate will not be invalidated by the fitting of the replacement of the lifeboat release
mechanism.

The Administration will issue a certificate of acceptance which supersedes the original lifeboat approval issued by the
lifeboat manufacturer.

5. On submission of the contract by the company and the agreement of the Flag
Administration, LR will complete the following:

(a) A design review of the proposed changes. (Carried out by MTES Fire and Safety).

(b) Issue a witness installation test certificate of acceptance subject to a satisfactory design review and production
and onboard installation test. (Carried out by the attending surveyor).

6. Following a satisfactory design review by LR MTES, Fire and Safety, LR will advise the Applicant that the proposed
changes are considered acceptable and the Applicant should then contact the local office where the installation will
take place to arrange for installation and testing to be witnessed by the local LR surveyor.

Lloyd’s Register Guidance Note – Procedures for replacement of lifeboat release mechanisms
Ref: MTES/FS/1489 10, Rev. 02, 10th January 2014 2
7. Once arrangements have been agreed for the witnessing of the required test and installation, the Applicant shall
advise LR MTES, Fire and Safety of the local surveyor details in order that stamped drawings together with a Design
Appraisal Document can be forwarded to the local office.

8. The installation of the lifeboat release mechanism is to be carried out by the manufacturer or by one of their
representatives. Manufacturer representatives must be approved by Lloyd’s Register or the flag administration for
servicing and repair of lifeboats, and must be authorised by the manufacturer of the release mechanism.

9. The installation and testing is to be completed under LR survey in accordance with the stamped plan and the
prescribed tests as follows:

(a) 1.1 x load and simultaneous release test according to the revised recommendation on testing of life-saving
appliances (IMO Resolution MSC.81(70)), part 2, paragraph 5.3.1 or an equivalent method acceptable to the
administration.

(b) Load test according to the revised recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances (IMO Resolution
MSC.81(70)), part 2, paragraph 5.3.4, if the fixed structural connections of the release mechanism are modified.

(c) If the lifeboat is installed on cargo ship of 20,000 gross tonnage or above, or if the lifeboat is also a rescue boat
installed on passenger ship or cargo ship -regardless of the gross tonnage- , the 5 knots installation test should be
carried out in accordance with the revised recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances (IMO Resolution
MSC.81(70)), part 2, paragraph 5.4.

10. Subject to satisfactory testing, the attending surveyor will issue a witness and installation test certificate for each
lifeboat tested stating clearly the details of the release gear and lifeboats tested.

NB: Alternatively, the attending surveyor may list a series of lifeboats on one test certificate providing the following
conditions are satisfied:

i) The lifeboats retrofitted are identical in all respects

ii) The release gears used for the retrofit are identical in all respects
iii) Full installation testing has been completed on all lifeboats
iv) All lifeboats tested are onboard the same ship

11. The surveyor will endorse the three sets of drawing and return them as follows:

(a) One set to remain with the vessel and available at all times

(b) One set to be delivered to the released gear manufacturer

(c) One set to be retained by the local office with a scanned copy returned to Lloyd’s Register, MTES, Fire and
Safety.

12. The Administration, or a recognised organisation acting on its behalf, should issue a statement of acceptance
(where applicable) to the vessel concerned and forward a copy to Lloyd’s Register MTES, Fire and Safety for their
records.

13. LR MTES, Fire and Safety will retain a copy of all certificates of acceptance issued for replacement release
mechanisms.

14. Definitions

14.1 Lifeboat release and retrieval system is the means by which the lifeboat is connected to, and released from,
the lifeboat falls for lowering, launch and retrieval. It comprises the hook assembly and operating mechanism.

14.2 Evaluation is a design review and a performance test of a type of lifeboat release and retrieval system.

Lloyd’s Register Guidance Note – Procedures for replacement of lifeboat release mechanisms
Ref: MTES/FS/1489 10, Rev. 02, 10th January 2014 3
 14.3 Manufacturer, with respect to existing lifeboat release and retrieval systems, is:

i) the original equipment manufacturer; or

ii) a manufacturer of lifeboat release and retrieval systems who has taken on the
Responsibility for a range or type of lifeboat release and retrieval system; or

iii) any other person or entity which has taken responsibility for a range or type of
Lifeboat release and retrieval system when the original manufacturer no longer
Exists or supports the equipment.

14.4 Modifications are changes to the design of an approved lifeboat release and retrieval system which may affect
compliance with the original approval requirements or the prescribed conditions for the use of the product.

14.5 New lifeboat release and retrieval system is a lifeboat release and retrieval system that has been approved in
accordance with paragraph 4.4.7.6 of chapter IV of the LSA Code, as amended by resolution MSC.320 (89).

14.6 Existing lifeboat release and retrieval system is a lifeboat release and retrieval system that has not been
approved in accordance with paragraph 4.4.7.6 of chapter IV of the LSA Code, as amended by resolution MSC.320
(89).

14.7 Company means company as defined in SOLAS regulation IX/1.2.

14.8 Administration means the Government of the State whose flag the ship is entitled to fly.

For further information, contact MTES Fire and Safety at Fire.Safety@lr.org

Lloyd’s Register and variants of it are trading names of Lloyd’s Register Group Limited, its subsidiaries and affiliates. Copyright © Lloyd’s
Register EMEA. 2014. A member of the Lloyd’s Register group.

Lloyd’s Register Group Limited, its subsidiaries and affiliates and their respective officers, employees or agents are, individually and
collectively, referred to in this clause as ‘Lloyd’s Register’. Lloyd’s Register assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable to any person
for any loss, damage or expense caused by reliance on the information or advice in this document or howsoever provided, unless that
person has signed a contract with the relevant Lloyd’s Register entity for the provision of this information or advice and in that case any
responsibility or liability is exclusively on the terms and conditions set out in that contract.

Lloyd’s Register Guidance Note – Procedures for replacement of lifeboat release mechanisms
Ref: MTES/FS/1489 10, Rev. 02, 10th January 2014 4