RESOLUTION MSC.

81(70)
(adopted on 11 December 1998)
REVISED RECOMMENDATION ON TESTING OF MSC 70/23/Add.1
LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES ANNEX 6
Page 65

7.5 Inflated fast rescue boats

Inflated fast rescue boats should be subjected to the tests prescribed in 6.4.1, 6.6.1, 6.7.2, 6.9.1 to 6.9.4,
6.10 (except 6.10.1), 6.11, 6.12, 6.14 (if inflated fast rescue boat is self-righting), 7.1.2, 7.1.3, 7.1.6
(if inflated fast rescue boat is equipped with outboard motor), 7.1.7 (if inflated fast rescue boat is not
self-righting), 7.1.8, 7.2.2 to 7.2.16 and 7.4.2.

7.6 Rigid/inflated fast rescue boats

Rigid/inflated fast rescue boats should be subjected to the tests prescribed in 6.2 (for hull), 7.2.14 (for
inflated part), 6.4.1, 6.6.1, 6.7.2, 6.9.1 to 6.9.4, 6.10 (except 6.10.1) to 6.12, 6.14 (if rigid/inflated fast
rescue boat it self-righting), 7.1.2 to 7.1.4, 7.1.6 (if rigid/inflated rescue boat is equipped with outboard
motor), 7.1.7 (if rigid/inflated fast rescue boat is not self-righting), 7.1.8, 7.2.2 to 7.2.11, 7.2.15, 7.2.16,
7.3.2 and 7.4.2.

7.7 Outboard motors for rescue boats

7.7.1 When the rescue boats are fitted with outboard motors, the following tests should be applied to the
motor in place of those tests specified in 6.10.

Power test

7.7.2 The motor, fitted with a suitable propeller, should be placed in a test rig such that the propeller is
completely submerged in a water tank, simulating service conditions.

7.7.3 The motor should be run at the maximum continuous rated speed using the maximum power
obtainable for 20 min, and should not overheat or be damaged.

Water drench test

7.7.4 The motor protective cover should be removed and the motor thoroughly drenched with water, by
hose, except for the intake to the carburettor. The motor should be started and run at speed for at least
5 min while it is still being drenched. The motor should not falter or be damaged by this test.

Hot start test

7.7.5 While still in the test rig referred to in 7.7.2, the motor should be run at idling speed in order to heat
up the cylinder block. At the maximum temperature achievable, the motor should be stopped and
immediately restarted. This test should be carried out at least twice. The motor should not fail to restart.

Manual start test

7.7.6 The motor should be started at ambient temperature by manual means. The means should be either
a manual automatic-rewind system or a pull cord round the top flywheel of the motor. The motor should
be started twice within 2 min of commencement of the start procedure.

7.7.7 The motor should be run until normal operating temperatures are reached, then it should be stopped
and started manually twice within 2 min, in accordance with 7.7.6.

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(adopted on 11 December 1998)
MSC 70/23/Add.1 REVISED RECOMMENDATION ON TESTING OF
ANNEX 6 LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES
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Cold start test

7.7.8 The motor, together with the fuel, fuel lines and battery, should be placed in a chamber at a
temperature of -15°C and allowed to remain until the temperature of all parts has reached the temperature
of the chamber. The temperature of the fuel, battery and motor should be measured for this test. The
motor should be started twice, within 2 min of commencement of the start procedure, and allowed to run
long enough to demonstrate that it runs at operating speed. It is recommended that this period should not
exceed 15 s.

7.7.9 Where, in the opinion of the Administration, having regard to the particular voyages in which the
ship carrying the boat is constantly engaged, a lower temperature is appropriate, that lower temperature
should be substituted for -15°C in 7.7.8 for the cold start test.

Engine-out-of-water test

7.7.10 The engine should be operated for at least 5 min at idling speed under conditions simulating normal
storage. The engine should not be damaged as a result of this test.

8 LAUNCHING AND EMBARKATION APPLIANCES

8.1 Testing of davits and launching appliances

8.1.1 For lifeboats other than free-fall lifeboats, davits and launching appliances, except the winch brakes,
should be subjected to a static proof load of 2.2 times their maximum working load. With the load at the
full outboard position, the load should be swung through an arc of approximately 10° to each side of
vertical in the intended fore and aft plane. The test should be done first in the upright position, followed
by tests simulating a shipboard condition of list of 20° both inboard and outboard. There should be no
evidence of significant deformation or other damage as a result of this test. For free-fall lifeboats, the
launching appliances for lowering a free-fall lifeboat by falls, except the winch brakes, should be subjected
to a static proof load of 2.2 times the maximum working load at the full outboard position. There should
be no evidence of significant deformation or other damage as a result of this test.

8.1.2 For lifeboats other than free-fall lifeboats, a mass equal to 1.1 times the maximum working load
should be suspended from the lifting points with the launching appliance in the upright position. The load
should be moved from the full inboard to the full outboard position using the means of operation that is
used on the ship. The test should be repeated with the launching appliance positioned to simulate a
combined 20° inboard list and 10° trim. All the tests should be repeated with a mass equal to that of a fully
equipped lifeboat, without persons, or the lightest survival craft intended for use with the davit to ensure
the satisfactory functioning of the davit under very light load conditions. The appliance should successfully
lower the load under all of the conditions, and there should be no evidence of significant deformation or
other damage as a result of the tests. For freefall lifeboats, a mass equal to 1.1 times the maximum working
load should be suspended from the lifting points. The load should be moved from the full inboard to the
full outboard position using the means of operation that is to be used on the ship. The test should be
repeated with a mass equal to that of the fully equipped lifeboat, without persons, to ensure the satisfactory
functioning of the appliance under light load conditions. The appliance should successfully lower the load
under both conditions and there should be no evidence of significant deformation or other damage as a
result of the tests.

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REVISED RECOMMENDATION ON TESTING OF MSC 70/23/Add.1
LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES ANNEX 6
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8.1.3 A mass equal to 1.1 times the maximum working load should be suspended from the lifting points
with the launching appliance in the upright position. The load should be moved from the full inboard to
the full outboard position using the means of operation that is used on the ship. The appliance should
successfully move the maximum designed hoisting load from the outboard to the inboard position without
causing permanent deformation or other damage.

8.1.4 Winch drums should be wound to the maximum number of turns permitted and a static test load
of 1.5 times the maximum working load should be applied and held by the brake. This load should then
be lowered for at least one complete revolution of the barrel shaft. A test load of 1.1 times the maximum
working load should then be lowered at maximum lowering speed through a distance of at least 3 m and
stopped by applying the hand brake sharply. For a lifeboat or rescue boat launching appliance, the test load
should drop not more than 1 m when the brake is applied. For a fast rescue boat launching appliance, the
test load should come to a rapid, but gradual stop, and the dynamical force induced in the wire should not
exceed 0.5 times the working load of the launching appliance. This test should be repeated a number of
times. If the winch design incorporates an exposed brake, one of these tests should be carried out with the
brake wetted, but in this case the stopping distance may be exceeded. The various tests should achieve a
cumulative lowering distance of at least 150 m. Operation of the winch with a load of a mass equal to that
of a fully equipped lifeboat, without persons, or the lightest survival craft intended for use with the winch,
should also be demonstrated.

8.1.5 It should be demonstrated that a winch intended for use with a rescue boat is capable of recovering
the rescue boat with the number of persons for which it is to be approved and its equipment or an
equivalent mass at a rate of not less than 0.3 m/s or 0.8 m/s in the case of a launching appliance for a fast
rescue boat.

8.1.6 The hand operation of the winch should be demonstrated. If the winch is designed for quick
recovery by hand with no load, this should be demonstrated with a load of 1.5 times the mass of the empty
lifting arrangements.*

8.1.7 Following completion of the tests the winch should be stripped for inspection. These tests and the
inspection should normally be witnessed by a representative of the Administration.

8.1.8 The fast rescue boat launching appliance should be demonstrated in a sea state associated with a
force 6 wind on the Beaufort scale, in association with a significant wave height of at least 3 m. The test
should include launching and recovery of a fast rescue boat and demonstrate:

.1 satisfactory operation of the device to dampen forces and oscillations due to interaction
with the waves;

.2 satisfactory operation of the winch brake; and

.3 satisfactory operation of the tensioning device.

*
This paragraph does not apply to free-fall lifeboats.

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 RESOLUTION MSC.81(70)
(adopted on 11 December 1998)
MSC 70/23/Add.1 REVISED RECOMMENDATION ON TESTING OF
ANNEX 6 LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES
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8.2 Davit-launched liferaft automatic release hook test

Definitions

8.2.1 In this section and in 6.2.1 to 6.2.7 of part 2, the following definitions apply:

.1 Actuating force means the force required to set the actuating mechanism.

.2 Actuating mechanism means the mechanism which, when operated, allows the liferaft to
be released automatically.

.3 Automatic release mechanism means the mechanism which opens the hook automatically
to release the liferaft.

.4 Hook means a hook to be used for the launching of liferafts which can be activated to
automatically release the liferaft when it is waterborne.

.5 Load limit for automatic release means the minimum load at which the automatic release
mechanism opens the hook and automatically and completely releases the liferaft.

.6 Manual release force means the force required at the actuating mechanism to release the
hook manually.

.7 Safe working load means the load for which the hook is to be approved.

.8 Securing force means the force required to close the hook manually.

.9 Testing establishment means an establishment accepted by the Administration having the

Hook and documents required for tests

8.2.2 The following should be submitted to the testing establishment for the prototype testing of the hook:

.1 two hooks which have been passed for delivery; and

.2 a functional description of the hook together with any other documents necessary to carry
out the tests.

Corrosion resistance test

8.2.3 Two hooks should be submitted to a corrosion resistance test which should be made in a salt mist
chamber in accordance with ISO 3768:1976 for 1,000 h or equivalent national standard. Any corrosion
effects and other damage to the hooks should be recorded.

8.2.4 Both hooks should then be subjected five times to the tests required by 8.2.5 to 8.2.17.

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 RESOLUTION MSC.81(70)
(adopted on 11 December 1998)
REVISED RECOMMENDATION ON TESTING OF MSC 70/23/Add.1
LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES ANNEX 6
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Load test

8.2.5 The maximum load on the hook to allow for automatic release loads should be determined
as follows:

.1 the hook should be loaded with a mass of 200 kg and the actuating mechanism set;

.2 the load should be reduced gradually in stages until the hook releases automatically, but
at not more than 30 kg, to establish load F; and

.3 the load F should be measured and recorded. The minimum allowable load F is the
minimum obtained at release which should be not less than 5 kg.

8.2.6 The hook should be loaded with a mass of 200 kg and the actuating mechanism set. The hook
should then be subjected to cyclic loading between 30 kg and 200 kg using a frequency of 1 + 0.2 Hz. The
hook should not release before 300 cycles. The number of cycles at which the hook opened or whether the
test was discontinued at 300 cycles should be recorded.

8.2.7 The hook should then be reloaded to 200 kg and the actuating mechanism set. The hook should
be subjected to a cyclic loading, the upper limit of which is +200 kg, and the lower limit being F1 using
a frequency of 1 + 0.2 Hz. The automatic release mechanism should operate within three cycles. The
number of cycles at which the hook opened or whether the test was discontinued after three cycles should
be recorded. F1 is to be taken as the minimum load on the hook to allow for automatic release, as
established in 8.2.5.2, reduced by 2 kg.

8.2.8 The hook should be attached to a short wire rope fall, approximately 1.5 m, and loaded with a mass
of 10 kg. The weight should be secured and then lifted 1 m. From this position it should be released to
perform a free fall before it is abruptly stopped by the wire rope fall. The hook should not release as a result
of this test.

8.2.9 The automatic release hook should be attached to a test load equal to 1.1 times the safe working
load, with the actuating mechanism in the locked position. The load should be raised to a height of at least
6 m and then be lowered at a speed of 0.6 m/s. When the load is 1.5 m above the ground or water surface,
the actuating mechanism should be set for automatic release, and the lowering completed. The automatic
release hook should release the load when it strikes the ground or water surface. The test should be
repeated with a test load equal to 2.2 times the safe working load.

8.2.10 The automatic release hook should be attached to a test load of 1.1 times its maximum working
load using an approved launching appliance. The test load should be lowered at maximum lowering speed
through a distance of at least 3 m and stopped by applying the hand brake sharply. This test should be
conducted twice, once with the release mechanism set for automatic release, and again with the mechanism
set to closed. The release mechanism should not open in either test.

8.2.11 The hook should be loaded to 0, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the safe working load of the hook.
At each load level, the actuating force required at the actuating mechanism should be measured and
recorded. The actuating force should be between 150 and 250 N if the hook is lanyard-operated, or the
action required to set the actuating mechanism should be readily performed by a single person without
difficulty.

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